Ballybunion is one of the top seaside resorts in the country. Situated in the
northwest corner of county Kerry, Ballybunion is perhaps most famous for the visit
of Bill Clinton, during which he played a round of the golf on the world-renowned
links course.
The castle which stands on the cliffs today, is where a promontory fort stood
when the O'Connors were chieftains. The O'Connors had been chieftains over the
area for centuries until the arrival of the Normans in Kerry in 1177. The Normans,
subsequently, built their castle on the position where the fort had been and the
ruins of the the castle stand today overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Ballybunion can boast one of the finest beaches in the country. Fronting the town,
the beach continues for two miles south. Boats for angling and pleasure trips
are available. However it is the links golf course for which Ballybunion is most
famous. During the weeks prior to the British Open Golf Championship, many of
the top American golfers, such as Tiger Woods and Tom Watson, come to play the
links course in preparation for the Open.
Today there is an active development committee and a tidy towns committee which
have transformed Ballybunion. Ceol Ciarraí are in the process of building
a Folk Theatre in the town.
Ballybunion has a wide variety of accommodation available as well as some excellent
restaurants. There are up to 5 daily bus services to Tralee from where trains
to destinations around the country are available.
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