West Kerry Museum, Ballyferriter

What to Expect

West Kerry Museum sits in the Gaeltacht village of Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula, an accredited museum covering the natural and cultural heritage of the surrounding area from the Mesolithic period through to modern times. Its collection draws on the archaeology of the peninsula, including the nearby Mesolithic site at Ferriter’s Cove, one of the oldest known human habitation sites in Ireland, alongside material on the area’s Irish-language and maritime traditions. A bookshop and café operate on site alongside the exhibition rooms, and the museum’s small scale makes it a manageable stop on a longer day touring the western peninsula rather than a full afternoon on its own.

Good to Know

• Open daily 10:00am to 5:00pm from June to mid-September
• From mid-September to the end of May, the museum opens by appointment only, arranged by email on weekdays
• Contact info@westkerrymuseum.com or +353 (0)66 9156333 to confirm hours or arrange an out-of-season visit
• Exhibits cover the natural and cultural heritage of the Dingle Peninsula from the Mesolithic era onward
• The nearby Ferriter’s Cove Mesolithic site connects directly to material held in the museum

Getting There

Ballyferriter is on the R559 coast road on the western Dingle Peninsula, about 15km west of Dingle town, in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht. The village is served by local bus routes from Dingle, and parking is available in the village centre near the museum.

While you’re in Ballyferriter

Ballyferriter sits close to Gallarus Oratory, the Blasket Centre at Dunquin and the Slea Head scenic route, making it a natural stop on a day touring the west end of the peninsula. There is more to see in Dingle and across Co. Kerry.