The wild side of life in Kerry
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| Fenit faces into the Slieve Mish Mountains across the calm waters of Tralee Bay |
It used to be that when we were growing up, the Jackeen wags
on Hill 16 would taunt their country cousins with the chant: ‘Kerry
for the holidays and Dublin for Sam’. Like migrating birds each summer these
two tribes swapped terrain as the Dubs headed for Kerry and the football fans
of the kingdom flocked to the Big Smoke for the latest instalment in the
intense rivalry between the clans, led by Micko and Heffo.
For the time being it seems it’s definitely Kerry for the
holidays, but let’s not go there…
I have been visiting the kingdom ever since I cycled the Ring of Kerry as a young teenager
in1974.
However, I have never been to Fenit. Every time we came to that fork in the road at the Blennerville Windmill we always hung a
left. To the right is the road less travelled, to Fenit. Turns out the loss was
all mine.
Wild Mind was an encyclopaedic montage of everything good
natured and eco-friendly under the sun. The eclectic programme, the brainchild
of the enthusiastic Mike O’ Neill and his team, was an unapologetic homage to
Mother Nature in all her shapes, forms and manifestations. It was
intoxicatingly brilliant and a blockbuster success on its first outing, with
standing room only at most events, most of which were free of charge and
family-friendly, many held in the cosy surrounds of a funky yurt. There were
talks, walks, water sports, workshops coming out of the rafters and all within
easy reach of each other in the compact hub or the village harbour. (You can
check out all the details at
wildmind.ie. as the impressive array of events, special guests, and speakers is far to long to list off here.)
With proper care and nurture I can really see #
WildMindNatureFestival growing into something special – organically of course!!
Fenit itself is a friendly spot with a warm welcome written
all over the place and the smiling face of the locals. There are no barriers at
the car park, everyone is chilled out and a carefree vibe offers safe harbour
to the visitor in a far less fussy or frantic fashion than perhaps other more
renowned resorts.
Fenit boasts a beautiful and safe blue flag beach renowned
for its swimming and sailing traditions snuggled down facing the spectacular
panorama of the Slieve Mish Mountains and Mount Brandon. There is a smashing
children’s playground, a spacious car park (which shares its berths with boats
in dry dock), and a well maintained public toilets block.
Fenit is only 13km out the road from
Tralee, on a route dotted with interesting looking seafood
restaurants. There are plenty of walking and cycling options, but if you fancy
a surf you may head to
Castlegregory or
Inch Beach, which is my own
preference, about a 45 minutes pleasant drive away the opposite side of Tralee
Bay. There is however, a good stand-up paddle board set-up and gear for hire in
Fenit itself.
Wild Mind Nature
Festival, which promises to inform, inspire and immerse you in our natural
environment, simply must be back for second helpings next spring, but in the
meantime when you come to that fork in the road, hang a right and check out
Fenit. I certainly will.
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| Mike O Neill on the left is the driving force behind Fenit's first Wild Mind Nature Festival |
