|
| (Route Description: Great rugged rock and sea-scapes - nowhere else in Ireland is there such an extensively panoramic route by the sea. This is the least developed of the south western peninsulas. Roads generally are very narrow. Some of the climbs and falls are not for those easily upset by heights. The ruggedness continues in the mountainous interior surrounding Gougane Barra and Ballyvourney. Lush sub -tropical, almost frost-free vegetation around Kenmare, Glengarriff and Ballylickey. |
| Very full day's drive - could be divided over two days - Peninsula one day and interior a second day. |
| Peninsula back to Killarney (Killarney -Kilgarvan- Kenmare - Peninsula - Kenmare - Killarney), 230 kms |
| Gougane Barra back to Killarney (Killarney - Kilgarvan - Kenmare - Glengarriff - Ballylickey - Gougane Barra - Morley's Bridge (or Ballyvourney)- Killarney), 155 kms. |
| Combined route: 248 kms.) |
| N22 east for 17.5kms to Poulgorm Bridge, south on R569 to Kenmare. R571 south-west by Kenmare Bay. |
| [After 11 kms (approx.) left (east) on unmarked road - views of three Cloonee Lakes to Inchiquin Falls -spectacular after heavy rain (1B) ]. |
| Along R571 by western shore of Cloonee Lakes. |
| [Immediately after Cloonee Lakes look out for narrow entrance to first surfaced road on left to first height (2B) - panorama over lake, bay and mountains.] |
| Now three options - follow R573 along the coast by Lehid and Kilmakilloge. Main road R571 through the mountains or follow the unmarked, narrow, surfaced road in-between that gives a great high panorama from the top of Knockatee (3B) over Kilmakilloge - suggests a tropical bay from 'Treasure Island'. Routes rejoin at Lauragh. Derreen Gardens and Woods (admission charge) - sub-tropical growth of flowers & trees (Rhododendrons, tree ferns, camellias, bamboo, eucalyptus, etc.) - (4B). |
| [At Ardgroom coast road - unmarked - right (north) - fine sea panoramas. Standing Stone (17.5' high) at Gortgarriff (5B). Rejoin R571 short of Eyeries] |
| After Eyeries follow R575. On the high crest with the first view over Ballydonegan Bay an awe-inspiring combination of rugged mountain rock with powerful sea currents underneath, to Allihies (6B) - extensive remains of copper mines immortalised in Daphne du Maurier's 'Hungry Hill' and Percy French's 'Slattery's Mounted Foot'. Ballydonegan Beach - white grit used as ballast for incoming copper boats. |
| [R572, great high route over the sea to Dursey Sound - cable car to Dursey Island (7B) - well worth a visit - at least half a day to walk around the island - spectacular sea panoramas - especially, at furthest point on the island - of Calf, Cow and Bull sea rocks.] |
| Back along R572 high over Bantry Bay. Puxley Hall great house (8B) - 19th Century - owned by family who ran copper mines at Allihies - now a dangerous ruin (burned down in 1921). A short walk beyond Puxleys to remains of 16th Century Dunboy Castle (9B). Castletownbere, most important fishing harbour in south-west - Berehaven, great natural harbour (10B). Ferry to Bere Island - a pleasant place to spend a half day. |
| [At Adrigole, follow R574 along very winding route to top of Healy Pass (11B). Spectacular panorama to the north over Glanmore Lake, woodlands, Kenmare Bay and mountains. To the south rugged mountains, Bantry Bay and The Mizen]. |
| R572 to Glengarriff (12B) - walk through the state forest and on the mountain to Barley Lake; visit the Blue Pool, see the luxuriant Italian Gardens on Garnish Island. |
| N71 south-east for seven miles (approx). Left on R584 through deep gorge of the Pass of Keimaneigh (13B) - 'the Leap of the Deer'. Unmarked road west to Gougane Barra (14B) - hermitage of 5th C Saint Finbarr, oratory and hermitage on island lake, grave of Tailor & Ansty (Buckley), forest park - signposted and colour coded walking routes through woods and on mountains. |
| R584 to Ballingeary - left (north and north-west) unmarked road to Kilgarvan - wild rugged mountain scenery - by boulder torn gorge of the Roughty River to Morley's Bridge. Right or north on R569 to Poulgorm Bridge, left on N22 to Killarney. |
| [Alternative route from Ballingeary: north on unmarked road to Ballyvourney - memorial to St. Gobnait (with her bees repelled an invasion), grave of Seán O Riada (responsible for the revival of Irish traditional music), forest walks.] |
|
| (Bibliography: Ordnance Survey, Ireland South, 1/4"; Ordnance Survey 84, 85 & 79 (1:50,000 Discovery Series): Bórd Fáilte Cork and Kerry Guides); Gougane Barra (published by Mac), West Cork Walks by Kevin Corcoran (O'Brien Press), West Cork Archaeological Survey). |
|
| (Route Description: Safe sandy beaches, early and medieval Christian sites, bogs, the most intensive dairy farming in Kerry - part of the Golden Vale. 192 kms. Full Day.) |
| N22 - North-west for 32 kms to Tralee(2N), the capital of Kerry. See Siamsa Tíre Theatre (details under 'Folk Theatre' (pg. 47) & Calendar (pg. 7), the Kerry County Museum/The Geraldine Experience, the restored windmill at Blennerville, the restored steam train running the mile from Tralee to Blennerville(1N). World-renowned 'Rose of Tralee' Festival held annually in late August/Early September. R551 north-west. After two miles R558 left/west to Fenit: pier stretching for several hundred yards into the sea. Base of replica famine ship 'Jeannie Johnston'. The Fenit Seaworld Aquarium with fish from Irish seas. Via Churchill (unmarked road) by Barrow Harbour to the spectacularly located Tralee Golf Links (3N) - with dramatic views over Barrow Harbour, Banna Strand, Fenit Island. |
| To Ardfert(4N) - at one time a very notable ecclesiastical and monastic settlement. St. Brendan the Navigator founded a monastery here in the 6th Century. Ruins of 13th century St Brendan's Cathedral - Hiberno-Romanesque doorway in the north-west corner and effigy of St Brendan in a niche near the altar. Near the west end are the ruins of Teampall na nÓg (Temple of the Young), with the beautifully ornamented south window, also a carved stone with a dragon and a griffin. Interpretative Centre on the Cathedral. Ardfert Abbey (1 km east of the Cathedral - signposted) extensive ruins of Franciscan Friary dating from 1253. |
| R551 to Banna (5N). Fine sandy beach (Lifeguard mid July to mid Sept). Sir Roger Casement captured here in April 1916 attempting to land arms from a German submarine. To Ballyheigue (6N) - Lifeguard mid July to mid Sept. The sandy beach in front of village stretches through Banna for 12kms. |
| Coastal drive along unmarked route around Kerry Head (7N) |
| [Nearing the end of the ring tour, turn left onto the unmarked coast road. Left again after 3 kms to Ballingarry promontory fort (8N). Castle and drawbridge built here in 1280. 100 men under Colonel David Crosbie defended the castle in the name of the Queen for four years. Finally defeated by the Irish in February, 1646]. |
| R551 through Causeway and Ballyduff - Ratoo- Heritage Centre and one of the most perfectly preserved 10th C Irish round towers (9N). |
| On to Ballybunion with its dramatic cliffs, superb strand (lifeguard mid July to mid Sept), famous golf links and unique seaweed baths. Unmarked road north along the mouth of the Shannon. |
| [Left on narrow unmarked road opposite school after approximately four miles. Half a mile to Leck, or Beale, Castle (10N). Originally a Fitzmaurice stronghold, destroyed by Lord Kerry in the 17th C]. |
| By Beale (long sandy beach), rejoining R551 west of Asdee (where, it is said, the father of the famous American cowboy bandit, Jesse James, was born), holy well. |
| After c. 1km unmarked road to Carrigafoyle (11N) - the seat of The O'Connor of Kerry destroyed by Cromwellian troops in 1649. The spiral stone staircase (be careful!) in the tower gives an extensive view of the Shannon Estuary and the surrounding countryside. Unmarked road to Ballylongford. Garden in Catholic Church grounds, signposts the area's Christian and historic heritage. Nearby 15th Century Lislaughtin Franciscan Friary (12N). Practically the entire building still stands though now roofless. In one corner is a beautifully moulded doorway. To Tarbert (2N) - Bridewell Interpretative Centre, 1830s Courthouse recreation . |
| [N69 to Knight of Glin's Castle (13N), refurbished Great House18th c.] |
| N69 to Listowel. |
| [Unmarked road left through Moyvane to Knockanure - interesting modern Church (14N). Right onto R523 to Listowel]. |
| Listowel is best known for the number of writers it has produced. Great literary activity. Kerry Literary Centre tells the story through their writings of Maurice Walsh, John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, George Fitzmaurice, Brendan Kennelly and seanchaí Eamonn Kelly. Listowel Library has display on the writers. St John's Listowel Square Arts & Heritage Centre. Decorative plaster shopfronts. Half a mile of unique Lartigue monorail - that ran from Listowel to Ballybunion. |
| R557 to Finuge(15N). Area with great dance and music tradition. |
| Return to N69 - left south. After c. 8kms 'A Day in the Bog' (21N) ... skills and customs associated with turfcutting ... in traditional style cottage. |
| Continue on R557, turning left for Abbeydorney just before Lixnaw. After 3 kms pass the ancestral home of Lord Kitchener (16N) on the left - to Abbeydorney, ruined Kyrie Eleison Cistercian Abbey(17N), founded in 1154. R556 to Tralee. N22 to Killarney. |
| (Bibliography: Ordnance Survey Ireland South 1/4"; Sheet 71 (1:50,000 Discovery Series) also parts of Sheets 72, 63 & 64; North Kerry Archaeological Survey; Kerry Guide Bórd Fáilte; Discovering Kerry; local literature). |
|
| (Route Description: mountainous interior, west and south sea cliffs and coves, almost 48kms of sandy coastline on northern shore, over 2,000 archeological sites, western end Gaeltacht/Irish-speaking. 211 kms. Allow a full day.) |
| R562 west 4kms. R563 to Milltown. N70 to Castlemaine, birthplace Wild Colonial Boy. R561 to Inch (2D). 6kms safe sandy beach - lifeguard (Mid July-mid Sept) - 'Playboy of Western World' filmed here. |
| [8kms beyond Inch go south - left - directly opposite pub at highest point of road - storm beach stump of 16th century castle tower at Minard (6D)]. |
| Dingle - sheltered fishing harbour, yacht marina, good restaurants. Dingle Oceanworld . Ventry - horse-shoe shaped bay and safe sandy beach (Lifeguard mid July to mid Sept). Celtic and Pre-Historic Museum. After 5 kms a short footpath on left to prehistoric Dunbeg Promontory Fort (7D). Hundreds of clochans or beehive huts along the mountainside on the right. Slea Head (8D), Panorama over the Blasket Islands (9D) - some of the finest Irish folk literature written on the Great Blaskets between 1900 and 1950. Coumeenole Beach (dangerous). Dunmore Head - most westerly landpoint in Europe (10D). |
| To Dunquin - Blasket Island Interpretative Centre. 'Ryan's Daughter' and 'Into the West' filmed here. [Ferry to Great Blasket Island. Well worth spending a day ... walk 5.6km c. length ... spectacular views ... sea, cliffs, islands, mainland, beach. See remains of writers homes. Ferry details |
| Travel by volcanic headlands to Clogher Beach (dangerous) - horse-shoe shaped. |
| [Short of Ballyferriter village unmarked road left - 6,000-year-old sea midden site on coast in front of hotel. On Smerwick Harbour at Dún an Óir (11D), at end of road, memorial (by Cliodhna Cussen) to the slaughter of 600 here in 1580 - a modern sculpture depicting heads tumbling down the cliff]. |
| Ballyferriter (12D) - Corca Dhuibhne Regional Museum (archaeology, geology and history of the peninsula). Excavated early Christian monastic site at Riasc (13D) signposted down short road on right. Gallarus Oratory (14D) 4 kms from Ballyferriter (signposted). Best preserved, unmortared Early Christian Church - perfect condition - 8th Century. |
| Crossroads east of Gallarus turn left to Kilmalkedar (15D), 12th Century church, alphabet stone, Romanesque doorway, hole stone, sun dial, etc. Straight ahead turn right at T-junction, unmarked road, signposted for Brandon Creek (16D). Along the foot of Brandon Mountain (17D) - associated with 6th C Saint Brendan and his voyage to America. Return to Dingle. |
| Unmarked road north-east over Conor Pass (18D) - panorama north-east to Brandon and Tralee Bays and south-west to Dingle Harbour |
| [Divert to Brandon Point (19D). Along western shore of Brandon Bay]. |
| From Cloghane some 48 kms of safe sandy beach to Tralee (Maharees beach(20D): lifeguard mid July to mid Sept). |
| [Through Castlegregory to Fahamore and Kilshannig]. |
| [Right/south on unmarked road to Glanteenassig Forest Park - lakeside conifer woodland in the shadow of Stradbally Mountain]. |
| Along R560 and N86 to Tralee. N22 to Killarney. |
| (Bibliography: Ordnance Survey Ireland South, 0.25" & Sheets 70 & 71 (1: 50,000), 'Corca Dhuibhne: Its Building and Their Peoples' by Doncha Ó Conchúir; Dingle Way Companion by Tony O'Callaghan; Corca Dhuibhne Archeological Survey; Dingle: A Guide Book by Russell McMorran; The Dingle Peninsula by Steve McDonagh; Discovering Kerry, Flora of Chorca Dhuibhne.) |
CAHERCONREE & SCOTIA'S GLEN |
| (Route Description: A route of legend and magic ... of archeological monuments from very early settlers. Two crossings of Slieve Mish mountains - great panoramas of sea, mountain, river estuary, town and pastureland. 95 kms, a half day - a full day if climbing Caherconree.) |
| R562 west for 4 kms. North-west on R563. Right onto N70 in Miltown. Castlemaine. Left on R561 for 11kms. Turn right/north on narrow unmarked surfaced road over Caherconree (1D) - south panorama of the three narrows (Inch, Rossbeigh & Cromane - 2D, 3D & 4D) in Castlemaine Harbour and Dingle Bay, the estuaries of the rivers Maine, Laune & Caragh, the Reeks and Caragh Lake. On the north side panorama of Tralee and Brandon Bays, the Maharees peninsula and the north Kerry coast.. |
| [At the foot of the steep slope on the northern side of the mountains a line of white poles marks the route to the top of Caherconree (1D) - extensive promontory fort under the top of the mountain. Home of Cu Roi MacDaire, prominent in Irish mythology stories of the Red Branch Knights. If going to be away overnight, it was said that Cu Roi could set the fort spinning at last light so that no one could enter it until sunrise.] |
| Continue along narrow road and turn right onto N86. After 1 km turn right and continue (on N86) for 10 kms. Take unmarked road on right a few hundred meters before Blennerville, and turn right again after 1 km. After 2 kms turn right - unmarked - signposted Scotia's Glen/Grave (5D) stone slab (on north side of mountain) marks grave of Queen Scotia - mythological early Irish invader. From the top panorama north over north Kerry coast, Tralee town, vale and bay, and south over Castlemaine Harbour; estuaries of Maine and Laune and - in the distance - Killarney lakes and mountains. Turn right onto N70 to Castlemaine. In Miltown straight ahead on to R563, after 16 kms left (at T-junction) on R562 to Killarney. |
| (Bibliography: Ordnance Survey 1/4" Ireland South & Sheet 71 (1:50,000); Bórd Fáilte Kerry Guide; Discovering Kerry; Corca Dhuibhne Archaeological Survey). |