Page 69 - Guerin Media | Cork Airport Holiday & Destination Guide 2015
P. 69
KERRY ROAD TRIP
The Ring of Kerry Highlights
Kenmare Sneem has a sculpture park located outdoors just
behind the village. You can visit “the peaceful
Nestled in the estuary of the Kenmare River and Panda” donated by the People’s Republic of China,
looking to the Iveragh Peninsula, Kenmare takes Arbor Chalybeia Immaculate (from Israel) and the
us from the tranquility of the Beara Peninsula to Goddess Isis (from Egypt) among its many exhibits.
the internationally famous Ring of Kerry. Kenmare
offers superb accommodation, gourmet food and Sitting on a narrow isthmus, the town of Waterville
some of the most natural unspoiled environment in is framed by Lough Currane on the east side of the
Europe. town and Ballinskelligs Bay on the west. The town
takes its name from the Butler family who built
Check out the local stone circle or delve into their house and estate here in the latter part of the
Ireland’s past at the Kenmare Heritage centre. 18th century at the mouth of the River Currane.
Here you will find one of the largest stone circles The village that developed on the estate during
in south-west Ireland. The circle with 15 stones the first half of the 19th century was also named
around the circumference has a boulder dolmen in Waterville. The town has a rich and interesting
the centre. This is evidence that settlement in the history. It was here an atlantic telephone cable
area goes back to the Bronze Age (2,200–500 B.C), came ashore connecting Waterville with Canso
when it was constructed. Nova Scotia.
The traditional Irish name of the bay was Inbhear Charlie Chaplin had a love for Waterville and spent
Scéine and was recorded in the 11th Century Book joyful times in the town with his family. This great
of Invasions Leabhar Gabála Éireann as the filmmaker, comedian and pioneering spirit for
arrival point of the Irish ancestor Partholón. A social change is remembered every year in
prime location by the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Waterville’s Comedy Film Festival, August
Mangerton Mountain and Caha Mountains makes 20th -23rd. One of only two coral beaches in
Kenmare a popular start point for hillwalking. Ireland can be found near Gleesk pier in Sneem.
As part payment for completing the mapping of
Ireland, known as “the Down Survey” in 1656 the Ballinskelligs
entire area was granted to the English scientist, Sir
William Petty by Oliver Cromwell. A Gaeltacht village, the rocks referred to in the
village’s Irish name are the Skellig Islands—Skellig
Sneem Michael and Little Skellig—an ancient monastic
colony which lies off the coast. Here you can also
Sneem village on the Ring of Kerry, is split into two visit a beach and the historical ruins of
by the Sneem River, with the respective sides being Ballinskelligs Priory and remains of Ballinskelligs
known as North Square and South Square. Each Castle.
part of the village has its own feeling and special
beauty - this gentle countryside has much to offer Valencia Island
in wildlife and natural beauty.
One of the most westerly points on the Iveragh
You are in good company as a visitor here. Sneem peninsula, Valentia Island, 11 kilometers long by
has been a host to many dignitaries who have 3 km wide, is linked to the mainland by a bridge.
chosen to retire to this beautiful village. The late The O’Sullivans, headed by O’Sullivan Beare, owned
Princess Grace of Monaco, also a film star, visited much of Valentia until the 17th century.
Parknasilla in 1961 with her family, while the late Foilhommerum on Valentia is the site of the first
President Charles de Gaulle, of France holidayed in permanent communications link between Europe
in this area in the late 1960’s. Open all year round, and the Americas.
69
The Ring of Kerry Highlights
Kenmare Sneem has a sculpture park located outdoors just
behind the village. You can visit “the peaceful
Nestled in the estuary of the Kenmare River and Panda” donated by the People’s Republic of China,
looking to the Iveragh Peninsula, Kenmare takes Arbor Chalybeia Immaculate (from Israel) and the
us from the tranquility of the Beara Peninsula to Goddess Isis (from Egypt) among its many exhibits.
the internationally famous Ring of Kerry. Kenmare
offers superb accommodation, gourmet food and Sitting on a narrow isthmus, the town of Waterville
some of the most natural unspoiled environment in is framed by Lough Currane on the east side of the
Europe. town and Ballinskelligs Bay on the west. The town
takes its name from the Butler family who built
Check out the local stone circle or delve into their house and estate here in the latter part of the
Ireland’s past at the Kenmare Heritage centre. 18th century at the mouth of the River Currane.
Here you will find one of the largest stone circles The village that developed on the estate during
in south-west Ireland. The circle with 15 stones the first half of the 19th century was also named
around the circumference has a boulder dolmen in Waterville. The town has a rich and interesting
the centre. This is evidence that settlement in the history. It was here an atlantic telephone cable
area goes back to the Bronze Age (2,200–500 B.C), came ashore connecting Waterville with Canso
when it was constructed. Nova Scotia.
The traditional Irish name of the bay was Inbhear Charlie Chaplin had a love for Waterville and spent
Scéine and was recorded in the 11th Century Book joyful times in the town with his family. This great
of Invasions Leabhar Gabála Éireann as the filmmaker, comedian and pioneering spirit for
arrival point of the Irish ancestor Partholón. A social change is remembered every year in
prime location by the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Waterville’s Comedy Film Festival, August
Mangerton Mountain and Caha Mountains makes 20th -23rd. One of only two coral beaches in
Kenmare a popular start point for hillwalking. Ireland can be found near Gleesk pier in Sneem.
As part payment for completing the mapping of
Ireland, known as “the Down Survey” in 1656 the Ballinskelligs
entire area was granted to the English scientist, Sir
William Petty by Oliver Cromwell. A Gaeltacht village, the rocks referred to in the
village’s Irish name are the Skellig Islands—Skellig
Sneem Michael and Little Skellig—an ancient monastic
colony which lies off the coast. Here you can also
Sneem village on the Ring of Kerry, is split into two visit a beach and the historical ruins of
by the Sneem River, with the respective sides being Ballinskelligs Priory and remains of Ballinskelligs
known as North Square and South Square. Each Castle.
part of the village has its own feeling and special
beauty - this gentle countryside has much to offer Valencia Island
in wildlife and natural beauty.
One of the most westerly points on the Iveragh
You are in good company as a visitor here. Sneem peninsula, Valentia Island, 11 kilometers long by
has been a host to many dignitaries who have 3 km wide, is linked to the mainland by a bridge.
chosen to retire to this beautiful village. The late The O’Sullivans, headed by O’Sullivan Beare, owned
Princess Grace of Monaco, also a film star, visited much of Valentia until the 17th century.
Parknasilla in 1961 with her family, while the late Foilhommerum on Valentia is the site of the first
President Charles de Gaulle, of France holidayed in permanent communications link between Europe
in this area in the late 1960’s. Open all year round, and the Americas.
69
