At the official opening were from left, Cathaoirleach Kenmare Municipal District Cllr, Teddy O’Sullivan-Casey, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, Orla Carroll, Chief Executive of Kerry County Council Ferghal Reidy. Photo: Valerie O’SullivanKERRY County Council and Fáilte Ireland officially marked the opening of the enhanced Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point at Bray Head, Valentia Island, on Friday, following an investment of €2.1million by Fáilte Ireland.
Delivered in partnership with Kerry County Council, the project has transformed the visitor experience at one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s key coastal locations.
The project included the restoration and conservation of the historic Bray Head Signal Tower and the installation of a new concrete spiral staircase and rooftop viewing platform.
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The elevated platform provides panoramic views across some of Ireland’s most spectacular landscapes, including the Blasket Islands, the Skellig Islands, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sceilg Mhichíl, Dingle Bay and Valentia Island.
At the official opening were from left, Director of Services, Kerry County Council, Bridget Fitzgerald, Hillary Creedon, Fáilte Ireland, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, Orla Carroll. David Doyle, Senior Management Kerry County Council, Josephine O’Driscoll, Fáilte Ireland Senior Management, James Moriarty, Kerry County Council, John Clarke Tourism Officer, Kerry County Council, James Nolan, Director of Services, Kerry County Council, Raymond Lyne, Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’SullivanThe Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points were first developed in 2014 to showcase areas with some of the most distinctive views and heritage sites along Ireland’s west coast.
Bray Head is one of 188 Discovery Points located along the 2,500km coastal route, each identified by the distinctive Wild Atlantic Way marker point.
The enhancement of the Bray Head Discovery Point comes at an important time for tourism development in the region, aligning with the new South and Mid Kerry Destination and Experience Development Plan and building on the success of the Skellig Coast Visitor Experience Development Plan.
At the official opening were from left, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, Orla Carroll. Photo: Valerie O’SullivanThis investment strengthens the area’s tourism offering, enriches the visitor experience, and helps showcase South Kerry’s unique natural, cultural and heritage assets in a sustainable and competitive way.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr. Mikey Sheehy, said: “Perched on Bray Head on Valentia Island, this initiative has restored the historic nineteenth-century Signal Tower and transformed it into a visitor experience that celebrates heritage, landscape, and ecology.”
“Originally part of a coastal signalling network linking stations along Ireland’s southwest coast, the tower later served naval and wartime communication roles, reflecting Valentia’s strategic maritime importance. Sensitive conservation works have repaired the structure using traditional lime render, reinstated local stone walls, and incorporated Valentia Slate to respect local materials and craftsmanship”
