Cill Rialig

Cill Rialaig is a pre-famine village on the remote Bolus Head in the Ivearagh Peninsula, County Kerry.

It lay in ruins, abandoned for almost half a century before the site was bought and transformed into an artists retreat. Since then, over 4500 artists, writers, poets, composers and playwrights from around the world have found sanctuary here, having been granted free of rent, short stay residencies for one to four weeks.

Located nearby in the village of Dun Geagan, Ballinskelligs, is the Cill Rialaig Arts Centre. Here visitors can view the works of many of the artists who have had the chance to stay at the retreat. It is known to many as the best place in Kerry for contemporary art, fine crafts and great food, with a wide range of exhibitions on display year round.

Also nearby you can find the beautiful blue flag Ballinskelligs beach, many heritage sites and fabulous walks (the walk up to Bolus Head past the artists retreat is beautiful). Ballinskelligs pier is also a departure point for boat trips to the Skellig islands.