Maharees
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| Maharees Na Machairi |
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| Location | ||
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WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
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| Irish grid reference Q617134 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Munster | |
| County: | County Kerry | |
| Population () - Town: - Environs: |
200 |
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Maharees (Irish: Na Machairi) is a peninsula off the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Maharees is the windsurfing capital and watersports playground of Kerry.
[edit] Geography
The Maharees peninsula (from the Irish "na Machairí" meaning "the cultivated lands") is a 5km long tombolo located on the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Fenit Harbour, the main port of County Kerry is sheltered from large Atlantic swells by the Maharees. To the north of the Maharees lie the Seven Hogs or Maharee Islands, the largest of which, Oileán t-Seanaigh, contains remnants of an early Christian monastic settlement, said to have been founded by St. Senan in the 7th century AD. The peninsula is a sandy spit for much of its length, with sand dunes giving way to earth and rocky ground towards the northern end. The sand dunes create a unique ecosystem, home to the rare Natterjack toad which is found locally in significant quantities. Lengthy beaches are found on both sides of the peninsula, which separates Brandon Bay on the western side from Tralee Bay to the east. The Brandon Bay beaches are open to the North Atlantic and often receive long rolling swells, which can provide excellent surf given suitable wind and tide conditions. The peninsula is dotted with campgrounds and caravan parks and contains three hamlets Fahamore Kilshannig and Candiha which are home to local pubs and restaurants popular with visitors to the area. Castlegregory Golf and Fishing club is a nine hole links golf course located at the base of the peninsula, a 5 star PADI certified dive centre is located at the fishing harbour at Scraggane BaySeveral windsurfing and surf schools are also located at the beaches on the Maharees. Maheree Island Tours and Angling is also based at Scraggane Pier. Yachting facilities, a marina and a sheltered harbour are located a few miles east at Fenit
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