Day 5: Ring of Kerry Tour

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Today we got to experience some of the highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on this full day tour around the Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountains on one side and the Atlantic coast on the other.
 

The panoramic vistas change constantly and frequent stops allowed plenty of photo opportunities. Some almost blew people away..literally!!! Those of us sitting in window seats sometimes held our breath as we encountered other cars and busses on the road...No freeways here. And of course driving on the left side is something you really have to get used to. Glad we left the driving to someone else. And, when we got to the edge of a mountain road, I preferred not to look down:-)
 

We started by viewing the "Essence of Kerry" audio visual show at the Gap of Dunloe ...well, some of us watched....Others shopped at Moriarity's...and got some beautiful things.

We stopped at The Red Fox Inn. It is an old traditional road house situated adjacent to Kerry Bog Village museum, home of the Kerry Bog Pony, on the scenic Ring of Kerry route. Renowned for its good food and traditional entertainment

Then we drove through Killorglin, And learned about the Puck Fair: The king of Puck Fair, a chosen mountain goat is borne in triumph and enthroned for two days. Why is a goat the king of the fair? Local stories tell that a stampeding herd of mountain goats warned the locals of the invasion by the Cromwellian forces! The festival has been welcoming visitors from around the world to join in the festivities for many a year. The festival is held each year from the 10-12 of August. The three days were named The Gathering Day (a horse fair), The Fair Day (a cattle fair) and The Scattering Day.

Killorglin is situated on the river Laune, an excellent salmon fishing river. The Southern Fisheries Board have organized joint development programs with local boards to make the rivers and lakes more accessible to Anglers. The Fishery boards also stock a number of lakes to ensure a successful days fishing. The river Laune boasts a run of Salmon and the river also drains the largest of the Killarney Lakes which is known for its brown trout 

We also visited in Cahirciveen: Carhan House: Birthplace of Daniel "The Liberator" O'Connell (1775 - 1847) who won Catholic representation in Parliament in 1829.  O'Connell's Church: Built in 1888 as a memorial to Daniel "The Liberator" O'Connell and is the only church in Ireland named after a lay-person. Ballycarbery Castle: The ruins of a castle once held by O'Connell's ancestors.Cahergall Fort: A stone fort with 10 ft thick walls and clearly visible on the mountain slope. Leacanabuaile Fort: A carefully restored stone ring fort with occupation dating from the sixth to eighth century.

Tralee is the chief town of Kerry, set at the mouth of Tralee Bay. It is the starting town of both the Dingle and Kerry Head Peninsula. The town has become famous due to the International Rose of Tralee Festival and the Tralee Races. Both of these events are held on the same weekend at the end of August each year, making Tralee town a lively place to visit.

Waterville at the end of the peninsula. Situated on a narrow neck of land between Ballinskelligs Bay and the beautiful Lough Currane. Waterville is an excellent fishing location both on the sea front and on Lough Currane. Along the promenade a monument is erected to one of Waterville's most famous visitor, Charlie Chaplin and his family were regular visitors to the area staying in the Butler Arms Hotel. I think this would be a nice area to return to someday.

On the return pass we went through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap (Ladies View) to view the Three Lakes of Killarney.

We enjoyed some free time and more SHOPPING...of course, in Killarney before having dinner in our hotel. Several in our group did the pub tours. Unfortunately, we needed our sleep more than we needed Guinness!