We woke to a slight change in the weather today. The forecast for the next few days is overcast clouds with a few mm of rain likely. This is more like the Ireland we expected!
The area just north of our camping pod outside of Cahersiveen is known as ‘over the water” by the locals.
The two ancient stone Iron Age ringforts (caiseal in Irish, cashel in English) found here were likely built in 600AD.
Excavation of the forts suggest they were inhabited by an early Christian farming community.
Ballycarbery Castle was built on a hill in the 16th C and was the home of the McCarthy Mor clan.
Local legend says the castle was connected to the ringforts by a tunnel.
The castle was attacked by Oliver Cromwell in 1652 after which it was allowed to fall to ruin and today it is closed to the public for safety concerns.
Our drive around the Ring of Kerry, a 180km circle route, started in Killarney National Park (Cill Airne).
The Gap of Dunloe is a beautiful valley between two mountain ranges (MacGillicuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain), created about 25,000 years ago at the end of Ireland’s last ice age. A glacier situated in the Black Valley broke off into the head of the gap and carved out the U-shape.
The glacial lakes are all connected by the river Loe.
The road up the gap is technically closed to car traffic during the day in high tourist season, so we walked 6km to the Head of the Gap.
Others decided to rent a jaunting car (a horse-drawn carriage) for their journey.
Ross Castle is a tower fortress built by the chieftain O’Donoghue Mor in the 15th C. The castle sits on an inlet of Lough Leane.
Legend says that O’Donoghue still slumbers under the waters of the lake, rising on his magnificent white horse every 7 years on May 1. Whomever is lucky enough to spot him will enjoy good fortune for the rest of their life. We were about three weeks too late to spot him this time!
The Ladies View overlooks the Upper Killarney Lake. This spot is famous as a stop for Queen Victoria when she visited Ireland.
A view over the Scariff islands. The Irish name Scaribh means ‘rugged’ or ‘rough place’.
Having completed the Ring of Kerry, we are back at the glamping pod for one final night before heading off to the next peninsula to the north tomorrow.
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