Ring of Kerry
In South West Ireland is the Ring of Kerry. Originally called the Grand Atlantic Tour,the Route runs from Killarney up through the idyllic Killarney National Park to Kenmare and then around the edge of the Iveragh Peninsula until it ends in Killarney again.
This is one of the most Spectacular tours in Europe.
Originally made famous by HM Queen Victoria, who named the superb view over the Killarney lakes as Ladies View,tens of thousands of visitors come here annually. I live here and will give you a brief tour of my lovely region.
Ring of Kerry Tour Killarney to Kenmare
Start at Killarney (you will need a car it's 120 miles round trip )
Theres a lovely parkland going down to the lake.
Ross Castle is idyllically sited lakeside about 3Km out of Killarney. The visit Muckross House and Abbey.Nearby is Torc Falls - spectacular waterfall.
Drive up the winding narrow road through the National park past Glorious views to Kenmare.Theres a good stop en route at Ladies View - SPECTACULAR !
Ireland Guide Books
Ireland (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
indispensable guide to Ireland -in my view the best of several great guidebooks
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 07/14/2009) 
Spectacular Ireland
Superb Photographic book of lovely Irish scenes
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
Lonely Planet Ireland (Lonely Planet)
The other Superb guidebook to Ireland but with fewer photos than the DK book
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery In Ireland
You should really read this very funny book about South West Ireland before visiting - the Author set off to tour Ireland but by calling at every Pub that was named McCerthy's there are MANY !) Fun and informative.
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/14/2009)
Frommer's Ireland's Best-Loved Driving Tours (Best Loved Driving Tours)
Great Book to help you plan ahead in Ireland
Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009)
Kenmare to Castle Cove
Kenmare is a lovely well planned colorful Town
As you drive to Molls Gap from the edge of the Killarney National Park there are stunning views of McGillycuddys Reeks and towards the Gap of Dunloe.You will be driving a narrow mountainous road with a huge drop to the valley below (there is now a wall !)From Molls Gap down to Kenmare - a lovely town with colourful streets and great restaurants pubs and shops. Its worth wandering round Kenmare especially on Wednesday (good market in the Square).
From the Square is signposted the superb example of a stone circle (4 minute walk). Kenmare's Pier (ff the Glengarriff Road) offers super views of the Kenmare Bay and Mountains of Beara.You can visit the Kenmare Bay seals on the Seafari cruise from the pier.Don't forget to fill up with gas - gas stations are few and far between.Back into Kenmare and take the Sneem Road (N70) through lovely countryside - wave to the Rockvilla B&B (tel 06441331) - 2 and a half miles out on the right hand side - it's ME !
Templenoe Pier has good views too - a long straight road leads to narrow Blackwater Bridge (beware of oncoming coaches).
On through delightful countryside and sea views to Sneem. A Quaint village with a very colourful pub overlooking one of the two village greens. Sneem has a lovely pier and a good view from the bridge.
Irish Photos
Please do not use these without my permission !
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Irish Videos
Ireland, 4- Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry, Kenmare, Killarney National Park
Runtime: 2:00
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7 Comments:
New Guestbook
CrypticFragments wrote...
kerry is lovely isn't it? especially if you figure out what they're saying! (for those who don't know kerrymen are known for their heavy singsong accents)
Posted April 18, 2008
LABELSTONE wrote...
Great lense about Ireland! Please check out my lense on St. Patrick's Day at: http://www.squidoo.com/IrishEyes.
Kind regards, Vicky
Posted January 16, 2008
Enfys wrote...
Hi Keith
Thanks for joining my waterfalls group.
I am actually hoping to visit Ireland one day and I was wondering if there were any waterfalls and where they would be. I thought with it being very like Wales there would be some!. My mother`s family are from the Tipperary area and I hope to take her over there, but it wouldn`t be a good time to visit any waterfalls as she can barely walk. Unless I could set aside a day for us to do separate things. I`m not bothered about them being difficult to get to, I am known to walk miles and risk life & limb to get the best angle etc, lol!.
Likewise if you ever come to South Wales and want to see our waterfalls let me know.
You can see some of mine at
www.squidoo.com/cymrucascades
Thanks again
Karen
Posted January 10, 2008
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Sneem to Waterville
(Entrance fee 1 Euro leave the money in the tin box !)
On to Caherdaniel and the Derrynane National park (wide,wide beach !)Derrynane House was the home of Daniel O'Connor.
Next is a cliff-hugging road with wondrous views across little bays to Beara and the Atlantic Ocean.
If you have binoculars you might see whales here.
Down te hill to Waterville - a long thin town with a stoney beach and a statue of Charlie Chaplin who came here for his holidays. Good food at the pubs here for lunch. A side trip to Lough Currane will show some of the wild nature of the inland scenery.
From Waterville take a side road bout 2 miles out (left) to the Skellig Ring.This narrow road goes to Ballinskelligs village with a ruined Abbey and little harbour. Carry on round the Skellig Ring and get good views of the Skellig Islands (Where there was a monastery in past times) Its now a bird sanctuary with Puffins and Gannets. Up to an incredible view across to Valentia Island.
You will come down into Portmagee and in Season you can get a boat to visit the Skelligs.(takes most of the day though -you might want to stay in the village)
Valentia is a nice Island (bridge from Portmagee)with lots of interesting things including dinosaur tracks (fossils ).
Valentia to Killarney
A much better road you'll be pleased to hear !
CTake the road past the Barracks across the river to see a very romantic ruined castle and two Big Iron Age Forts. Back to Cahersiveen and along the coast road to Kells - take the turning down through Fuschia Hedged lanes (narrow) to the lovely little beach.
As you drive towards Glenbeigh,there are remnants of the old railway that used to run here.
Glenbeigh is a small town with a big secret - follow the sign to Rossbeigh - a very,very long beach with super sand dunes. You can see the Dingle Peninsula from here.
After returning to Glenbeigh,continue along the coastal road to take a side trip to Lough Caragh - a lovely lake. Then on to Killorglin - a nice gentle town - except for 3 days a year in August when the Puck horsefair happens - then a bacchanalia occurs and everyone parties in the streets for three days under the gaze of a live goat that's been crowned King Puck. Much Guinness is partaken and wild revelry.
A rather sober drive after that with occasional inland castles and a side trip to the Gap of Dunloe through the village of Beaufort. You can take a jarvey (horse carriage) to visit the Gap of Dunloe from Kate Kearney's Cottage.
On again to Killarney and you have completed the Ring of Kerry Tour.
The Ring of Kerry Tour takes a MINIMUM of 6 hours according to how many times you stop to take photos and look at the sights.
Kerry Coastline
The Banshee !
There really ARE Leprechauns on the Ring of Kerry !
Ring of Kerry on Cafepress
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