Valentia Island

Valentia Island is an island off County Kerry featuring coastal cliffs, mountains, and gardens with rare plants. The island extends several kilometers and connects to the mainland through a bridge or ferry service.

The island served as the eastern terminus of the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable connecting Europe and North America in 1866. This connection marked a turning point in global communication.

The Heritage Centre in Knightstown displays exhibitions about marine life and local traditions, showing how island communities lived through artifacts and photographs. These collections reveal everyday experiences of earlier residents and how life has changed over time.

The island is accessible via a bridge at Portmagee or by car ferry from Reenard Point, operating between April and October. Visitors should check ferry availability before planning their trip.

The Tetrapod Trackway contains footprints over 385 million years old from early four-legged animals, showing some of the oldest evidence of such creatures walking on land. These ancient traces rank among Europe's most important paleontological finds.

Location: County Kerry

GPS coordinates: 51.90000,-10.35000

Latest update: December 17, 2025 07:50