Published by admin on 21 Dec 2007 at 10:05 am
The Ring of Kerry
Leaving Killarney, take the Killorglin road (N70). Here on the left you will see the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range and Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrantoohil.
Killorglin is the home of Puck Fair, a pagan festival for over 3000 years. (10/11/12 August). Continue on to Glenbeigh a popular beach and seaside resort. You will also pass the Red Fox Inn andTraditional Bog Village.
Next stop is Glenbeigh, it has a beautiful beach at Rossbeigh, 3 miles of sandy beach, head back to the N70 to Kells or go over the mountain at Cahill’s pub ( cars only ) to join the N70.From the mountain stage there is a great view of Dingle Bay, this is a good spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.
Cahersiveen is next, at the new bridge on the left can be seen the birth place of Daniel O’Connell ” The Liberator ”and hero to the Irish people in the 1800’s. It is also home of two stone forts dating back to the 9th.Century. There is also an Train Engine here that was used here on the old Railway.
You can also find Ballycabbery Castle (ruin) once a fortress to The McCarthy Mór ( as that at Castlelough beside the Lake Hotel ). Leaving Caherciveen on your right hand side you can see Valentia Island which can be accessed from Caherciveen by a car ferry and exit at Portmagee.
Valentia was where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid all the way to America in 1857, you can also visit the Slate Quarry and the Light House, there are many remains of old structures including Stone (Ring) Forts and Churches. Out to Sea you can see The Skellig Rocks 700 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean was used by monks as a monastery from the 5th. Century, you can visit the rocks by boat and is highly recommenced so bring a packed lunch from the Lake Hotel.
Heading on to Waterville turn right at the church and right again and head to the golf course. There are some very good restaurants here for lunch, the Smuggler’s Inn, Huntsman and the Fisherman’s Bar. After lunch you can walk the beach to stretch your legs, as Charlie Chaplin, Shirley McClaine, Walt Disney, Tiger Woods, Pane Stuart and Michael Jordan have in days gone by.
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