Ring of Kerry
Photos: (clockwise) Nora Finnegan demonstrates how to make Kenmare Lace at the Kenmare Heritage Centre, Ring of Kerry vista, Skellig Heritage Centre, Valentia Island and the Old Barracks.
The Ring of Kerry is Ireland's most popular scenic drive — a 110-mile circuit extending around the Iveragh Peninsula, a long finger of land jutting into the Atlantic Ocean west of Killarney. The route takes in Ireland's tallest mountains, stunning coastal panoramas, rocky seascapes, working boglands, remote country villages, and offshore islands.
The Ring of Kerry drive is best taken in a counterclockwise direction, starting out from Killarney and heading toward Killorglin and then simply following the "Ring of Kerry" signposts.
Even though it is only a little over 100 miles, the drive usually takes the better part of a day because roads are curvy and hug the coastline, and there are so many interesting places to stop and explore or photograph. Most people average 20 miles or less per hour.
Heritage centres and museums, offering indoor exhibits, rest rooms, and refreshments, include:
Kerry Bog Village, Ballycleave, Glenbeigh (tel. 066-976-9184), a cluster of authentic walk-through thatched cottages that show what life was like here in the 1800's. Open daily, March - November. Web site: www.kerrybogvillage.ie
Old Barracks, Cahirciveen (tel. 066-947-2777), an elongated 19th century building with a cone-shaped tower once used by the British as a look-out — now a heritage centre and Co. Kerry's most unusual building. Open daily May to August; and weekdays from September to April. Web site: www.theoldbarracks.com
Skellig Experience, Valentia Island (tel. 066-947-6306), a unique museum that tells the story of the Skellig Rocks, two outposts that sit 8 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. The Skelligs, chosen in the 6th century by St. Fionan as a monastery site, are considered among the best preserved early Christian sites in the world. The centre presents a continuous showing of an on-the-scene 12-minute film that depicts life on the rocks - if you can't make the trip by boat, this is as good as it gets to being there. Open daily, March to November. Web site: www.skelligexperience.com
Derrynane National Historical Park, Caherdaniel (tel. 066-947-5113), once the home of Daniel O'Connell, great Irish statesman of the19th century. The 300-acre grounds include O'Connell's Victorian-style house, chapel, and coach house, plus extensive gardens, walking tails, a beach, and a ring fort. Open daily May - September; and on weekends in Novmbr - March. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie
Kenmare Heritage Centre, The Square, Kenmare (tel. 064-41233), provides exhibits on the history of the town including a once-thriving local industry — lace-making. Demonstrations on the art of lace-making are also on view as well as displays of prize-winning lace. Open: Eatser to end of October. Web site: www.kenmarelace.ie
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