BRIAN REID PHOTOGRAPHER
Ireland Day 6 - The Ring of Kerry
Thursday, 14 September 2023 21:55
There is a pattern developing, mornings not to bad and then rain from mid afternoon but not a problem for the most impressive bit of today’s trip around the Ring of Kerry which is, for me, the Skellig Ring at the far west of the peninsula. I was suitably surprised that I had little issues with the coaches that make the run due to making an early start. The weather was slightly better for photography which is a plus. The Ring of Kerry is really just a country road with occasional points of interest. I have included snaps of a few of them and like yesterday I will caption them individually. Today I topped up the car again in Kenmare but as the rain was not as heavy I walked along to the Stone Circle, the largest in Ireland. My leg continues to give me pain, not the calf but actually the shin. Writing this too late! I still managed over 9000 steps but not completely fun. My major walk was at the Cliffs of Kerry on the Stellig Ring and what a spot. The cliffs are rugged and high and well presented. I imagine in spring and early summer they would have been buzzing with sea birds but now only humans. The headline picture is from there with the Skelligs on the horizon. The little dots on top of the ‘hump’ to the left are ordinary people not Jedi Knights. :-)
Here is the beach at Rossbeigh
Now we are off to the Skellig Ring at Portmagee from Valentia Island, site of the first transatlanic cable in Ireland.
The view from Bray Head to the Cliffs of Kerry and the Skelligs was impressive and a cyclist was being a bit optimistic on the climb to the signal tower. Time to get off and push.
The landscape on the north side of Valentia Island looking towards Dingle was different..
Here are the Skelligs from the Cliffs if Kerry , Michael is on the right
It is difficult to present scale in these reduced resolution images but a careful viewer will see people, one in red, and cattle at the top of the cliff face
And there they are.
Looking back towards Portmagee gives an idea of the weather at around lunchtime
On the other side of the cliffs is St Finnian’s with a young lady doing her yoga by the water’s edge.
A stop in Waterville for a quick lunch threw up the following image
There was a slightly strange encounter at a view point with a couple of Irish entertainers with accordian and dancing dogs which enthralled the tour group from Liverpool and around the corner the claim is that this is the most famous view in Ireland
Here is the Kenmare stone circle and its two fairy trees
From Kenmare it was back through the Killarney National Park and the fine view from Ladies Viewpoint in the drizzle