The Iveragh Peninsula (Co. Kerry)
The Iveragh Peninsula (Uíbh Ráthach) (Co. Kerry), between Kenmare Bay and Dingle Bay is the largest peninsula in south-western Ireland.
Much of the peninsula’s coastline is encircled by mountains, and apart from the two large river valleys of the river Inny and river Ferta, most of the peninsula’s land area is hilly or mountainous, the highest peaks being found far inland, close to Mcgillycuddy’s Reeks.
Most of the coast road around the peninsula, renowned for its spectacular vistas, forms part of the famous Ring of Kerry, and can become rather crowded.
The Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht encompasses areas off the Ring of Kerry such as Baile an Sceilg / Ballinskelligs and Bá Naomh Fhionáin / The Glen on the coast and Máistir Gaoithe / Mastergeehy along the valley of the lovely Inny River. This area is known for some of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal and mountainous scenery, with magnificent views of the Skelligs and Puffin Island.
Kerry Geopark comprises an area bordered by Kenmare Bay, and extending inland to the mountains north of Tahilla, Sneem, Castlecove, Caherdaniel and Valentia Island. This is an area of outstanding geological interest, rich in natural history and human artefacts.
The Coastal Route from Kenmare to Killorglin:
Blackwater Bridge spans the local River Blackwater as it flows into Kenmare Bay near Coss strand and Blackwater Pier, where fresh bay fish and shellfish are landed daily. The river is managed and known for its steadily growing stock of wild salmon. The area offers fine walks and views, horse riding and trekking, and is home to the excellent Blackwater Tavern.
Tahilla is a tiny village notable for the Brushwood Studios, where a group of talented artists who live locally display and sell their work. Jo Anne Yelan’s colourful oils of local scenes are particularly individual and attractive.
Tahilla Cove is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kayakers.
Parknasilla (Pairc na Saileac – “Field of the Willow Trees”) has a rich heritage dating back to 1692.
For over a century it has been dominated by the Victorian opulence of the splendid Parknasilla Hotel; prominent guests have included George Bernard Shaw, Charlie Chaplin, General Charles De Gaulle, Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands, Princess Grace of Monaco and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Formerly part of the excellent Great Southern hotel chain, it is by all accounts still one of Ireland’s finest resort hotels, albeit slightly faded in grandeur. The palatial reception rooms have huge open log fireplaces, creating the ambience of a relaxed old-style country house party, and the bedrooms are said to be quite luxurious. The dining room has a very good policy of serving children’s teas earlier than the other evening meals; I’m told the food is old-fashioned but top class. Onsite facilities include two all-weather tennis courts, an outdoor Canadian hot tub, a spa and hydrotherapy baths, horse riding, croquet, clay pigeon shooting, boules and archery; there is also a small golf course. A labyrinth of salt-water channels intersects the extensive wooded grounds, featuring the ruins of Derryquinn Castle; the bathing is good both in the sheltered waters and from the open strand that lies beyond, and an indoor swimming pool is available as well. There are walks of varying lengths, the best being a tranquil trail along the coastline with footbridges to the adjacent islands (private) and through parklands. The estate used to belong to Dr. Charles Graves (1812-99), CoI Bishop of Limerick.
Unfortunately, there are current plans to develop the whole complex into some kind of Costa Blanca-style holiday urbanización.
Sneem (An tSnaidhm – “the Knot”) lies in a green bowl at the foot of a mountain range dominated by the 2,245 ft Knockmoyle, and at the head of the Sneem river estuary. Most of the buildings in Sneem are painted ox-blood red, lime green, gorse ellow, heather mauve, hideous purple and sky blue. The focal point of the hourglass-shaped village is the bridge connecting the two parts, each with its own impeccable rectangular village green featuring a monument to Cearbhaill O’Dalaigh (1899-1976) former President of Ireland, who lived in Sneem. Colourful houses and shopfronts make for picturesque streets, and there are several good pubs, tearooms / cafés and eateries. Sneem and its surrounding area has become quite a haven for artists, and it would be a shame not to visit the Sneem Art Studio, Brushwood Studio and artist Rosemary Bradshaw’s Studio
Sneem’s Garden of the Senses has transformed an area of the village into a serene walk down the banks of the Sneem Estuary, awash with colours and aromas, and includes a bird island, a barbecue area and much more.
Sneem has more odd little details than most communities of its size. On the wall of the local parish church there is a statue of the ancient Egyptian deity Isis, “a gift from the people of Egypt to the people of Ireland, presented by the ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Hussein Mesharafa“, in 1993. Near the church is a sculpture garden containing pyramid like structures resembling Beehive Huts. A local clinic provides homeopathy, reflexology anf massage, and there is a llama farm in the vicinity.
Sea Kayaking is very popular in this area and is available at a number of locations, the most magical being Oysterbed and the Parknasilla Islands. With numerous families of seals, various species of birds and tree covered islands; the area provides spectacular scenery and ideal conditions for the Kayaker. Many other activities are also available including: horse riding, windsurfing, water-skiing, sea-angling and sailing.
Castlecove, which takes its name from a small harbour with an unfinished castle, is a small resort with fine sandy beaches nearby, on a inlet from picturesque Kenmare Bay.The coast has created natural rock pools and there are exquisite sandy coves dotted underneath the cliffs. Nearby are the imposing ruins of Staigue Fort, one of Ireland’s finest archaeological remains.
Staigue Fort is a magnificent prehistoric Ring Fort, thought to be about 2500 years old. The remarkably thick walls, tapering from almost 4m / 13ft at the base to 2m / 7ft at the top, were built to last. Its large size (27m in diameter) and location in a natural amphitheatre suggests some ceremonial use. Local legend says it has long been hinhabited by “the little people”.
Caherdaniel, a pretty village on the edge of Derrynane Bay, got its name from the stone fort of Caher (c 600 B.C) which is on the Kerry Way long distance walking trail to the north of the village. It is a lovely spot, with terrain varying from rugged shore to gently rolling mountains, where visitors can walk, cycle, ride or drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and an excellent location for angling, swimming and diving.
The tiny harbour of Derrynane was once the haunt of pirates and buccaneers. Later, in the C18th, Derrynane Harbour became a thriving centre for trade with France and Spain. It is possible to hire boats from here to the the Skelligs.
A Dolmen (or Stone Age Grave) in the village may date from 3000 BC.
Derrynane House, the boyhood home of Daniel O’Connell, was bought by his father with the proceeds of his contraband smuggling, The attractive residence has long been converted into a museum, with interesting displays illustrating the Liberator’s life and career, notably a truly bizarre processional triumphant chariot. Nowadays it is a National Monument and part of a 320 acre (1.3 km²) National Park. There are several archaeological artefacts and ruins to be seen on the grounds and on Abbey Island, which can be reached on foot when the tide is out.
The Derryname area is known in archaeological circles for sites associate with the Beaker people, who left evidence of copper mining in the area around 4000 years ago.
Waterville is an elite holiday destination with a posh hotel, lovely beaches, great angling and a couple of excellent restaurants. It was a long-time favourite of Charlie Chaplin’s.
Unfortunately, Waterville is most famous for its golf course. No doubt it is as good a golf course as its admirers say, but to claim that any golfcourse can be in some way mystical is absolute drivel. This absurd claim, made in a 1992 tournament brochure, is based on stories in the Book of Invasions, written about 1000, that Noah’s grand-daughter Cessair landed in Ballinskelligs Bay after the flood and became Irelands first invader, and that the the Milesians, last of the mythical invaders, settled locally in 1700 BC and were reportedly responsible for many of the archeological sites found in the area.
Ballinskelligs Bay has an attractive beach.
The ruined seaside Augustinian Priory, dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, like Sceilg Mhichíl; was where the island monastic community withdrew in the C13th. The “parish of the Prior” (as the local parish is still called in Irish) traditionally held its Pattern on September 29th, the feast day of the archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel.
Ballinskelligs / Baile na Sceilge, a Gaeltacht community that like many others in the West of Ireland is more of a district than a village, is scattered across hill slopes overlooking the bay, and has a little harbour from where visitors can hire boats out to the famous Skelligs islands. Nearby are the remains of a MacCarthy castle. The surrounding area has numerous prehistoric sites and other early Christian ruins, including an old burial place called Regles, with the ruins of an abbey.
The current RC church is in the village of Dun Geagan / Dungegan, also home to Siopa Chill Rialaig, a unique thatched edifice comprising an art gallery with a retail area offering Irish and international artists a sales outlet for their work. Painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, and multi-media work make this a very interesting place to browse. There is a cosy cafe, complete with turf fires in winter, attached to the shop.
Social life is largely based around the local pubs, which regularly host traditional Irish music and dancing. I can personally recommend the large establishment beside the harbour.
Rascals Restaurant / B&B in the Old Schoolhouse (1845) is highly recommended.
Each year the village hosts the annual Ballinskelligs Regatta.
Bolus Head is wild, windswept and lonely.
Cill Rialaig was the name of a village near Bolus Head, abandoned as a result of the Great Famine. When I first went there it was a melancholy place that brought to mind Fourre’s Requiem.
The Rialaig Project, a 1990s initiative by retired publisher / socialite Noelle Campell-Sharp, has been restoring the cottages as studios, and the village is now a world-renowned artist’s retreat. Selected from many hundreds of applicants, artists can spend a residency period of up to one month away from their usual environment and commitments, to work in peace in a beautiful place, and in return they donate some of their work to the Siopa Chill Rialaig gallery in Ballinskelligs, where it is sold to help fund the project, a registered charity. The restoration and maintenance of the cottages and running of the gallery provide local employment, an aid to regeneration in a rural Gaeltacht community that was suffering from economic decline, and the interaction of the visiting artists from all over the world with the local people, enriches both communities.
The Skelligs are accessible by regular and by hired boat from several points on the mainland.
St. Finan’s Bay has a lovely beach, ideal for swimming or surfing. A large hillside house used to belong to Hollywood actor Robert Shaw.
The Skelligs Chocolate Factory in St. Finan’s Bay is said to make very fine confectionery.
Puffin Island is a lovely big, high, chunky island at the northwestern tip of Saint Finan’s Bay. The cliffs on almost all sides are huge. Puffin, rabbits and sea-pink abound. The remains of a beehive hut can be found on the south side of the main ramp to the higher parts of the island.
Valentia Island has been connected to the mainland by a bridge near the southwestern end of Portmagee Channel since1970.
Portmagee (An Caladh – ‘the Ferry’) is a small village and important fishing port with picturesquely painted houses at the southwest tip of the Portmagee Channel. It derives its English name from Captain Theobald Magee, a notorious C18th smuggler. The village has several very good traditional pubs and excellent eateries, fresh seafood being the star attraction.
Since New Year’s Eve of 1822, when a Scottish ship, The MacGonagle, was moored in Portmagee’s harbour to wait out an Atlantic storm, the arrival of each 1st January has been celebrated in Portmagee with a strange ceremony based on the Hogmanay celebrations in the sailors’ home port, quaintly if inaccurately recalled as “Lichylachylomond”. Or so they claim! Who needs an excuse for a party?
The area has truly amazing scenery, and is noted for particularly beautiful winter sunsets. The best views of all are from the Coomanaspig Pass separating Portmagee and St. Finan’s Bay.
The village is connected by a road bridge to Valentia Island, and also serves as a departure point for boats to see the Skelligs and visit Skellig Michael. Both excursions are very highly recommended.
The Skelligs Experience Heritage Centre (just across the bridge) is worth visiting in its own right, before, after or even instead of (i.e. if weather conditions or other circumstances prevent) a trip to the Skelligs.
Illaunloughan is a small, low-lying island, about 400m from Portmagee, which can be reached on foot in low spring tides. This is an early church site with an altar, a killeen burial ground for “children and strangers” and a spring-fed Holy Well roofed with a large stone lintel. In 2003 overseas research groups carried out some excavations.
A book about the island has been written by Claire Walsh.
Valentia Harbour is the sound between Valentia Island and Reenard Point and Doulus Head.
It is highly recommended for night dives and for novice divers, with clear, sheltered water, a trawler wreck at 12m and lots to see including scallops, pouting, ling, lobsters, shrimps and conger eels.
Beginish Island is a lovely island with a prominent watchtower and idyllic views. It is inhabited; the residential section is entirely on the western side of the island. The island has an extensive beach.
The island has the remains of an early Church site, a killeen, and a small standing stone with crosses inscribed on both sides It has been established that the island was inhabited around 1050 by a mixed Gaelic / Norse community, who left several huts, one of which has a lintel stone bearing a Scandinavian rune. Archaeological excavations have revealed early field systems, and more unexpectedly, a reasonably preserved semi-submerged dwelling with a ramp leading down to the doorway. This construction is unique for its time and is accepted as a Viking settlement. It was probably used as a stopping place during sea voyages between Cork and Limerick. Further digs are planned to reveal an expected burial ground.
Church Island can be reached on foot from Beginish at very low tide. side. It is named for its rectangular church, two walls of which are in ruins. There is also a good circular dwelling. The wall around the island marked all ground inside as consecrated. Only Holy Men could sleep inside. A small gap, still visible, allowed lay people day visits to the Church. There are also the remains of some sort of special grave.
White Strand is a beautiful sheltered beach with a good car park at itsnorthern end.
Reenard Point at V433-776 is the mainland dis/embarkation site forthe summer car ferry across Valentia Harbour, linking the mainland and Knightstown on Valentia Island. There is a superb seafood pub on the pier.
Doulus Head is just west of
Caherciveen / Cahersiveen / Cahirsiveen (Cathair Saidhbhín - “town of Little Saidhbh”) (pop. 1300) has been called “The town that climbs the mountain and looks upon the sea…”. It is the capital of the Iveragh Peninsula, and overlooks Valentia Harbour. It has an excellent Marina and good harbour facilities. Regular boat trips to the Skelligs leave from here.
Caherciveen is special. It may not look that different from any other west of Ireland town at first glance, but it´s well worth spending some time here to find out more.
A feature of Cahersiveen is its long main street with many traditional and colourful shopfronts. A remarkable number of these establishments sell alcoholic beverages, and these premises almost always contain at least one customer, who is not only partaking of a leisurely pint but is also more than willing to chat with whoever walks in the door. Visitors “popping in” to what looks like a hardware store for e.g. batteries or tent pegs can find themselves emerging hours later in a highly philosophical frame of mind.
Many of the natives of this area seem particularly given to alternative approaches to life. A surprising percentage have university degrees, and could presumably get highly paid jobs in a big metropolis, but prefer to stay where they grew up, enjoying a thoughtful and very attractive (if perhaps somewhat liquid) laid-back lifestyle.
Caherciveen Heritage Centre is the modern identity of the Old Barracks, undoubtedly one of the oddest buildings in the country. Designed and constructed c. 1870 for the RIC, the bizarre turreted structure is quite out of keeping with the local landscape, but nonetheless picturesque. It is said that the architects’ plans somehow got mixed up with those for a barracks to be built in India, but this is a common myth applied to many British Empire era buildings all over Ireland. The edifice was burned by anti-treaty forces in 1922 and has been carefully restored. It mow houses excellent displays and information about local archaeology, Daniel O’Connell, the Great Famine, the Fenians, and other local history, and features a café / restaurant, craft workshops, and a tourist information point.
Cahergall and Leacanabuaile are the names of two Stone Forts in the vicinity; although built within at most 300 years of each other, the differences in their structures are remarkable. One of them has been completely restored.
Ballycarbery Castle is a ruined C16th structure, believed to have been built by the McCarthy Mores to replace an earlier building known to have existed on the site as early as 1398, but whether it was occupied by them or their wardens the O’Connells is unknown. The castle was passed onto Sir Valentine Browne following the death of its owner Daniel McCarthy More. In 1652 it was destroyed by continuous cannon-fire from Cromwellian forces under General Ludlow. An C18th Lauder family house on the site was demolished in the early 20th. The castle is remarkably eroded by wind and rain, but there are still intact stairways and a large chamber partially underneath the hill.
Knocknadubar (Cnoc na Tobair – “Hill of the Wells”) is a local summit reached by a two-mile track lined with the Stations of the Cross, erected at the initiative of an energetic C19th priest, Canon Brosnan, who also revived a pre-C17th tradition of pilgrimage to and devotional immersion in Ahacovra Holy Well, aka Glaise Chumhra (the fragrant stream), dedicated to Saint Fursa.
Daniel O´Connell is honoured by a bronze bust at the ruin of the not insubstantial house where he was born in 1755, ideally located for his father’s smuggling concern, and by the Daniel O’Connell Memorial church (1875), surely one of the very few RC churches in the world named for a layperson. Despite refusal from the Bishop of Kerry, Canon Brosnan received a Papal sanction for the church. Designed by George Ashlin in a French Gothic style with medieval round turrets and steep conical caps, its planned steeple was never put in place as the builder went bankrupt.
Eamon Doherty`s photogenic To the Skellig sculpture (1995) of monks in a boat commemorates the contribution made by Irish holy men to the survival of Christian Civilisation across Europe during the Dark Ages. (In August 2007 the “remarkable” resemblance a new 60m high sculpture due to be erected in Merseyside to this one in Caherciveen was dismissed by the British design firm Renn & Thacker as “an extraordinary coincidence”).
During the Great Famine the population of the Caherciveen area dropped from 30,888 to under 8,000.
Only the shell remains of Bahagh Workhouse, converted in 1846 from a lodge to a sanctuary for the destitute, incorporating a school, hospital, residential quarters, soup kitchen and a church. Its doors were closed in 1923.
Caherciveen Coast Guard Station, established in 1851, still gathers and issues essential information for Atlantic mariners. The Transatlantic Cable arrived here In July 1866, linking Europe and America.
The local power station, unmistakable with its large chimneystacks, is one of two turf-burning stations in Ireland. Built by Swiss and German engineers in 1957, it burns 30,000 tonnes of turf annually.
The Caherciveen Races in August are very popular, and the atmosphere is always full of fun. Not as manicured as some other courses, there is a casual attitude and relaxed ambiance here. Post-mortems of the day’s events are held at various hostelries around town afterwards.
Contrary to some maps, no ferry currently crosses Dingle Bay from Caherciveen to An Daingean / Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula.
White Strand is fine sandy Blue Flag beach located in a designated natural heritage area. In 1984, a baby’s body was found here, resulting in the notorious Kerry Babies murder investigation and subsequent public inquiry. This is a sensitive issue; do NOT ask about it locally.
Kells is an attractive coastal district with great views of Dingle Bay and the distant Blasket Islands from the steep hillside overlooking beautiful Kells Bay; a favourite spot for holiday cottagers, the cove has tall elegant oaks and pines bordering a secluded sandy beach with pretty fishing boats and leisure craft tied up at the stone pier or moored just offshore in the crystal clear water.
Kells House and Gardens began as part of Holly Mount, a small hunting estate bought in 1837 by Tralee landlord Sir Rowland Blennerhassett. It was his grandson, Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, MP, who developed the house and gardens that we can still see today. He added the Ladies Walled Garden, Tree fern forest, the Long drive and the paths around the garden. The property remained in the Blennerhasset family until 1949, and later belonged to the Vogels for 30 years. Kells has the largest collection of antipodean tree ferns in the British Isles, in addition to myrtle, camellias, royal bamboos and countless species of rhododendron. The origin of the rare plants on the estate is unknown but would have been closely linked to the great plant hunters of the time who were bringing in rare plants to the British Isles and needed mild growing conditions.
Trainspotters come to see the old Kells Junction, the tunnels at Drung Hill and the splendid Gleensk Viaduct, remains of of the Great Southern and Western Railway Line that lay from Caherciveen to Farranfore Junction.
Local farmer John Ferris stages regular displays with his sheepdogs of their prowess in working with the local mountain sheep.
Ross / Rossbeigh / Rossbehy Strand sticks out literally like a sore thumb, stretching northwards at right angles from the Iveragh Peninsula over 6.5km across Dingle Bay, so one side is a glorious sandy beach with crashing Atlantic breakers and the other is a warm muddy lagoon (Rossbeigh Creek). It has huge sand dunes and terrific views of An Daingean / Dingle and Inch strand opposite.
This is a noted family beach, with hotel and holiday village. There is even a small sweet shop and chip shop open during summer. The local council maintain public toilets, water, and rubbish collection.
This strand has decent surf, and the dunes have been mapped for orienteering events. The local conditions are usually excellent for paragliding. Rossbeigh is the meeting ground for all Irish paddlers and surfers for the Christmas/New Year break. It is also a particularly good spot to enjoy spectacular sunsets.
Rossbeigh / Glenbeigh Races draw crowds every August to Rossbeigh Beach for one of the few remaining beach race meetings in Ireland today. Steeped in tradition and history, the atmosphere is casual and friendly, although there are plenty of opportunities to bet. Being so close to the horses adds to the excitement. Race times are dependent on the tides.
Rossbeigh is traditionally regarded as the place from which the legend of Oisín and Tir na nÓg commences.
Glenbeigh is a popular and picturesque holiday resort. In addition to easy access to Rossbeigh Strand, there are excellent fishing facilities, and plenty of opportunities to walk, ride or canoe in the beautiful surroundings. The village has some good traditional pubs with regular music sessions.
The Red Fox pub just outside Glenbeigh is an entertainingly unashamed tourist trap, famed for its Irish Coffee.
The Kerry Bog Village features traditional cottage dwellings restored and give an excellent view of life in days gone by. Traditional tools used on the bog are on display, but the most interesting aspect of a visit here is a chance to see some Kerry Bog Ponies. This rare breed of small sturdy ponies, with characteristically thick and long manes and tails, were used to carry turf from the bog. Fewer than 20 of the breed remained at the start of the 1990s. It is largely due to the remarkable effort and dedication of Johnny Mulvihill, the owner of the Red Fox, that they survive and now number more than 2000.
Cromane Peninsula, located approximately 8 km west of Killorglin, is a low lying shingle spit at the western end of Castlemaine Harbour.
The Interior Route from Moll’s Gap to Waterville:
Derreendarragh is within easy reach of Sneem on Route 1.
Derrynablaha is the site of an interesting Standing Stone.
The Ballaghbeama Gap is a remote rocky mountain pass between Mullaghanttin and McGillycuddy’s Reeks, beautiful, forbidding, utterly inhospitable. This area of Kerry is often compared to Glencoe in Scotland. Unfortunately, it has been discovered by trail bikers.
Glencar is a spectacular wild valley district, popular with anglers, canoeists, cyclists, hill walkers, mountain climbers and nature lovers of all kinds, with exceptional views of the surrounding MacGillycuddy Reeks. The rugged beauty of the mountain slopes is enhanced by the Caragh River and Lough Caragh, while the forest at Lickeen is a delightful spot. Nearby Carantuohill is the highest mountain in Ireland. Walking routes in the area take in the Owenroe River, Cloon Lough. Loughancummeen, Lough Cappanalea, Lough Nakirka, Lough Acoose and Esknamuky Glen.
The Climbers’ Inn, aka “Jack’s Place“, is recognised as the oldest walking and climbing establishment in Ireland. Situated in a glorious woodland setting in the centre of the glen, it has comfortable en suite rooms with Jet showers to rejuvenate tired bodies, a drying room for wet clothes and kit, and a laundry. The Inn has full bar facilities, popular with locals as well as guests, serves good home cooked breakfast, lunches and dinners to a high standard, and hosts live traditional music sessions. Other options available include camping facilities and packed lunches.
Glencar House in the beautiful Carragh River Valley was built in the late C17th as a hunting lodge for Sir William Petty, whose great grandson the 2nd Earl of Shelburne briefly served as Prime Minister of Great Britain between 1782-83 and became 1st Marquess of Lansdowne in 1784. Throughout the C19th the House was remodelled and converted into a hotel and since then, there have been a number of additions. Set in 13 acres of oak woods, it now has 20 en-suite bedrooms, a Victorian snooker room and library with open fireplace, and a glazed veranda with panoramic views of wild woodland, open bog and mountains. The Cedar Restaurant and Caragh Bar also have turf burning open fireplaces and sylvan views.
Blackstones House is a spacious old-style farmhouse scenically situated beside Blackstones Bridge, on the Caragh River, near Lickeen Wood and the Blackstones Falls, with great views of the surrounding countryside. In addition to B&B accommodation, Blackstones also organise House Rentals
Glencar is within easy reach of Glenbeigh and Killorglin on ByRoute 1.
The Ballaghgisheen Pass is very scenic and very steep. There are often cattle and sheep wandering free in this area. This is the traditional location of the tragic end of the legend of Oisín and Tír nÓg.
Tulligelane Exotic Garden, located near Lissatinnig Bridge, is a mixture of Cottage garden and wetlands, with uncommon and wild edible plants, tender shrubs, grasses and perennials. The gardener is Carl Herpels.
The Uibbh Rathach Gaeltacht is in this area along the valley of the Inny River.
Cloonaghlin Lough
Lough Namona
Cummeragh River
Lough Currane
Caherbarnagh
Waterville is on the Coastal Route.
