Page 82 - Guerin Media | The Wild Atlantic Way
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The Slea Head Drive spectacular views of the ocean awaits you here. On a
hot day this is the only place west of Dingle to get some
Aroute of outstanding coastal beauty, please drive Murphys ice cream! Áine is also one of Dingle’s artists,
slowly and stop regularly to take in the full range of her paintings immortalise the gentle hues of Kerrys
this stunning scenery. Reflect on the lives of those who landscape.
have made this land their home for millennia and mans
resilience in the face of nature - although whipped by the The busy studios, shop and cafe of Mulcahy’s pottery
winds and crashing waves. From the impressive sandy lie to your left as you head on towards Bally Ferriter -
beaches of it’s Museum of Archaeology, cosy pubs and beaches of
Ceann Trá ( in English “Ventry” so named after Lord golden sand. A string of festivals are held here each year
Ventry who once made his home here) to the wild cliffs from the traditional music of Scoil.
and raging seas around Dún Chaoin (Dunquinn). In
stormy weather the Atlantic becomes a raging beast “From the traditional music of “Scoil Cheoil
and the crossing to the once inhabited Blasket Islands, an Earraigh” to “An Féile Beag Filióchta” -
unpassable. We can only admire the courage tenacity
and strength of the people who have lived here for Ballyferriter is alive with culture!”
generations.
On your travels westwards, watch out for signs for
Like Cork's Kinsale, Dingle is another leading the ecclesiastical heritage sites of the region including
“Transition Town”. This community movement Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkedar monastic site. You
organise many exciting events in the area – will pass these as the road winds down towards the
together with Transition Town Tralee. From village with of Baile na nGall.
community gardens and and Orchard to Energy
Saving and talks of a local currency, you might Baile na nGall or Ballydavid, lies further on and it’s
like to step in and get involved on your visit! trá an Fíona or Wine Strand boasts a fabulous view of
Www.transitiontowncorcadhuibhne.com the three sisters and sibyl head beyond. The sheltered
cove at the harbor of Ballydavid is the perfect place to
relax. Families can enjoy the sandy beach with it’s many
rock pools and you can sit out to take the sunshine and
East of the village of Dún Chaoin is an ancient burial Gallarus Oratory © Chris May
ground for the Spanish who lost their lives off the
Blasket Islands here in 1588. The stunning countryside
here is famous as the setting of the film Ryans Daughter.
Take yourself to Ionad na Blascaoid - The Blasket Centre
of an afternoon and learn about the lives of the Islanders.
Here you will find a comfortable restaurant with sea
views, a film in your language about the Island and a
detailed exhibition that gives meticulous insight into life
as it was on The Blaskets.
Many books were published by the islanders - providing
an insight into their way of life an Island culture
and strength of community now sadly been lost to
modernity. Today their stories live on. Today you can
take one of the boats across to visit the Islands for a day
and walk among the ruined houses of this once bustling
Island community. Rounding the head at the mysterious
rocky crags, from here one can enjoy a birds eye view
of the stunning West Kerry scenery from Sibyl head
across to the heights of Brandon’s mountain. As you
wind your way down between the stone walls and green
fields where sheep and cattle graze you can stop in at
the wonderful Tig Áine’s for some home made scones
and tea. A charming atmosphere with open fires and
80
hot day this is the only place west of Dingle to get some
Aroute of outstanding coastal beauty, please drive Murphys ice cream! Áine is also one of Dingle’s artists,
slowly and stop regularly to take in the full range of her paintings immortalise the gentle hues of Kerrys
this stunning scenery. Reflect on the lives of those who landscape.
have made this land their home for millennia and mans
resilience in the face of nature - although whipped by the The busy studios, shop and cafe of Mulcahy’s pottery
winds and crashing waves. From the impressive sandy lie to your left as you head on towards Bally Ferriter -
beaches of it’s Museum of Archaeology, cosy pubs and beaches of
Ceann Trá ( in English “Ventry” so named after Lord golden sand. A string of festivals are held here each year
Ventry who once made his home here) to the wild cliffs from the traditional music of Scoil.
and raging seas around Dún Chaoin (Dunquinn). In
stormy weather the Atlantic becomes a raging beast “From the traditional music of “Scoil Cheoil
and the crossing to the once inhabited Blasket Islands, an Earraigh” to “An Féile Beag Filióchta” -
unpassable. We can only admire the courage tenacity
and strength of the people who have lived here for Ballyferriter is alive with culture!”
generations.
On your travels westwards, watch out for signs for
Like Cork's Kinsale, Dingle is another leading the ecclesiastical heritage sites of the region including
“Transition Town”. This community movement Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkedar monastic site. You
organise many exciting events in the area – will pass these as the road winds down towards the
together with Transition Town Tralee. From village with of Baile na nGall.
community gardens and and Orchard to Energy
Saving and talks of a local currency, you might Baile na nGall or Ballydavid, lies further on and it’s
like to step in and get involved on your visit! trá an Fíona or Wine Strand boasts a fabulous view of
Www.transitiontowncorcadhuibhne.com the three sisters and sibyl head beyond. The sheltered
cove at the harbor of Ballydavid is the perfect place to
relax. Families can enjoy the sandy beach with it’s many
rock pools and you can sit out to take the sunshine and
East of the village of Dún Chaoin is an ancient burial Gallarus Oratory © Chris May
ground for the Spanish who lost their lives off the
Blasket Islands here in 1588. The stunning countryside
here is famous as the setting of the film Ryans Daughter.
Take yourself to Ionad na Blascaoid - The Blasket Centre
of an afternoon and learn about the lives of the Islanders.
Here you will find a comfortable restaurant with sea
views, a film in your language about the Island and a
detailed exhibition that gives meticulous insight into life
as it was on The Blaskets.
Many books were published by the islanders - providing
an insight into their way of life an Island culture
and strength of community now sadly been lost to
modernity. Today their stories live on. Today you can
take one of the boats across to visit the Islands for a day
and walk among the ruined houses of this once bustling
Island community. Rounding the head at the mysterious
rocky crags, from here one can enjoy a birds eye view
of the stunning West Kerry scenery from Sibyl head
across to the heights of Brandon’s mountain. As you
wind your way down between the stone walls and green
fields where sheep and cattle graze you can stop in at
the wonderful Tig Áine’s for some home made scones
and tea. A charming atmosphere with open fires and
80