Kerry is located in the extreme South-West of Ireland. It is a mythical place which has gained international recognition as a major tourist attraction. It has something for everyone, from coast and sandybeaches to cliffs and rocky headlands. The main element in the beauty of Kerry is water: the Atlantic, which surrounds our lakes and mountains, the lakes, and the white streams bursting down the mountainsides.
I have valued the beauty of my county from a very young age. As a child, Sunday trips to
Killarney and its surrounding areas instilled in me an appreciation of its beauty. I love to
take a walk through the Muckross Gardens, stand for ages to watch the cascading Torc Waterfall
and, on warm Summer days, to hike through the Gap of Dunloe. I have always been in awe of the
beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. My Dad's work takes him back around the peninsula six days a
week. I have spent many summers working with Dad and getting to know both the region and the
people.
Killarney is a town whose popularity increases year by year. It is like a magnet, constantly
drawing people back for more. It is a hive of activity and is famous for being one of Ireland's
loveliest districts. It has something for everyone, whether you have come for adventure or if
you are just here to enjoy the beauty and tranquility. Killarney is famous for its three great
lakes which occupy a broad valley stretching south between the mountains. These lakes add to
the beauty of all the sites of interest in the region. They are a feature of Muckross House,
Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, the Gap of Dunloe and many more. Follow the links to some
of my favourite places.
��Muckross House
����Ross Castle
����Torc Waterfall
����Killarney National Park��Ladies View
����Gap of Dunloe
The heart of the National Park is Muckross Demesne centred on
Muckross House and gardens. Muckross House is recognised as one of Ireland's leading
stately homes. This 65-room, Victorian mansion house was built in 1843. Queen Victoria
considered it grand enough to stay here during her Killarney visit in 1861. In 1910, the house
was bought by an American, W. B. Borne. He bought this as a wedding gift for his daughter,
whose family later donated the entire estate (11,000 acres) to the Irish nation. It contains
the most amazing gardens, perfect for a tranquil stroll by the lakes. The estate is also home to
Muckross Traditional Farm, a re-creation of the activites of rural Ireland before electrification
in the 1930s.
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Ross castle is a square medieval
tower that was built by the O'Donoghues in the 15th Century. This well-preserved ruin is one of
the best examples of castle-building in Kerry. It was one of the last strongholds in the country
to hold out against Cromwell. It was used as a military barracks during the 18th and 19th
Century. For a long time the building fell into disrepair but it has recently undergone major
repair and is open to the public.
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Torc Waterfall can be located at the foot of Torc Mountain close to Muckross Lake. The
waters fall more than 60 feet down a series of precipitous sandstone crags. This is a
magnificent site following a heavy rainfall. The waterfall swells to about ten times its normal
volume of water changing from a gentle cascade to an example of the force of nature. A winding
path leads upwards from the fall through some tall trees. From here it is possible to see some
beautiful views of the lakes and the mountain.
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The Killarney National Park is a area
of splendid beauty. Its beauty is wild and natural and located on 10,000 hectares of rugged
mountainous terrain. This is the largest National Park in Ireland. It is home to extensive
woodland, valleys, waterfalls and Ireland's highest mountain range - The MacGillycuddy Reeks.
It is also home to the only remaining Native Red Deer population in Ireland.
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This is one of the most famous views of the Killarney valley. From this point you can view
the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the Purple Mountain Range and the Upper Lake. It is named after Queen
Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who stopped to look at the scenery from this very spot during the
Queen's visit to Killarney in 1861. Keeping alive Kerry's folklore tradition is a signpost on
the road-side at Ladies View which reads "Leprechauns Crossing".
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The Gap of Dunloe is a magnificent mountain valley that runs for 4 miles between the
MacGillycuddy Reeks and the Purple Mountain Range. At the entrance to the gap is Kate Kearney's
Cottage, where visitors leave their vehicles and journey through the gap on ponies, pony trap
or on foot. Massive rocks rise on either side of the valley, which is traversed by a turbulent
stream that drains five small lakes strung along beside the road. The head of the gap is 795
feet above sea level, and on the descent the Upper Lake comes into view with the Black valley
stretching into the hills on the right.
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Often referred to as the last parish before America, the town of Dingle is beautifully set among the hills of the Dingle Peninsula, which stretches westwards for 30 miles. This is one region of Kerry that I have become very familiar with.
This is a region with an endless supply of sandy beaches, hidden bays, caves, harbours and the never ending fuschia. This very peninsula was the inspiration for films like Ryan's Daughter and Far and Away. The area is rich in tradition, literature and culture. It has much to offer people in search of something different.
Dingle is the main
town of the peninsula and is a magnet for tourists. Dingle was the chief port of Kerry in the
old Spanish trading days. On the western side of this town is a coastal plain studded with
typical Irish hamlets and villages. This region has some breath-taking coastal scenery and is
an Irish-speaking district where the traditional customs and crafts are still very much alive.
The following are some of the reasons why Dingle is such an attractive region.
��Blasket Islands
����Gallarus Oratory
These magnificent islands are situated 2 miles off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula - Dunquin to be more precise. The Great Blasket Island was home to the most westerly village in Europe. The island was evacuated in 1953 after thousands of years of inhabitation. Since then life there has stood so still. There are no cars or technology. It is possible to enjoy endless unspoilt beaches, a peaceful atmosphere and listen to the sound of the sea.
This island produced no less than three internationally recognised, gifted writers: Peig
Sayers, Tomas O Criomhthain and Muiris O Suilleabhain. The Blasket Centre in Dunquin is
dedicated to their literary achievements and to the native Irish language and culture.
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This is one of the best-preserved Early Christian church buildings in Ireland. At first
glance, the building suggests an inverted boat. The doorway is characteristic of Irish Early
Christian architecture in that it narrows towards the top. The inside of the oratory measures
15 feet by 10 feet. At the east end is a deeply splayed loophole window. A unique feature of
this church is that it is built throughout of unmortared stone, yet it is completely watertight
after more than a thousand years.
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