The or (Irish: An Mhór Chuaird) is one of the most scenic aspects of 's landscape. It is a 111‐mile (179km) circle route that takes one along the coast known as the Wild Atlantic Way and through rural seaside villages in in South Western Ireland. The road trip begins and ends in . Speaking of the green landscape, it is a marvelous site and, in many ways, a green you will not see in other lands. The Ring goes through Killarney, Coirean, Beaufort, , , , and . The habitation within the Ring of Kerry can be traced to over 6,000 years. Its architecture is more recent because early inhabitants used wood as their construction mode. An excellent source for reviewing more about the various ages in Kerry's history can be found on "Kerry gems." The Ring of Kerry is a relatively untarnished part of Ireland that still gives one an idea of what life was like centuries ago. Famous landmarks including castle ruins and monasteries that dot the countryside can be seen. Also, countryside with peat bogs and sheep that are branded by different colors to indicate who owns them. The Ring affords many types of activities including surfing, cycling, riding, hill‐climbing, lowland walking, golf and fishing. The roadway could be described as the Irish version of the Italian Mama Mia highway on the Amalfi coast between Naples to Sorrento. The Ring has hairpin turns and width issues in several locations. The road is very popular with tourists so the drivers must be skilled to maneuver large buses on a two‐lane highway. As climate change has become a worldwide political and economic issue, harvesting Ireland's peatlands has come under fire. Peat used as a fuel source is being challenged and has caused many bog operations to be closed. Peat has been used for centuries in Ireland for home heating. As an industry started during the 1930s, government regulations are causing many to close. Peat harvesting is when you drain and cut turf. Today's rules come in part to dwindling wetlands, but opponents say closings can affect jobs and the further dependence on oil imports. Many popular movies were filmed in the Wild Atlantic Way. Some of them were "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," "Marley and Me," "Ryan's Daughter," "The Princess Bride, " and the famous "The Quite Man," filmed in 1952 with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Another famous person had a connection to the Ring of Kerry. His name was Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin's holiday spot was the village of Coirean (Waterville) that he brought his family to for over 10 years. The community erected a bronze statue of Chaplin in honor of his visit and portrayal of an Irish character. This photo program takes you on a clockwise tour of the Ring of Kerry by bus on a rainy day in Killarney.

Mt. , Irish: Corrán Tuathail, is the highest mountain at 3,407ft located in County Kerry. Before we left on the bus tour we were hosted with traditional Irish coffee. The recipe for the drink includes hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar and fresh cream. The drink is sipped through the cream. The ingredients are: 4 ounces (oz) of fresh brewed coffee, 1.5 oz of Irish whiskey, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of heavy or light cream lightly whipped. The cream must lay on top and not be mixed. Pictured are two sisters, Carol and Janet from Central Pennsylvania.

Ireland's Ring of Kerry and its Wild Atlantic Way provide beautiful countryside and ocean panoramas.

Ladies View overlooking

Sheep and cattle are grazed on this land. Churches, shrines, old castles and relics going back to early Christian days are evident. "Ring Forts were enclosed farmsteads in the Early Christian/Early Medieval period. are circular areas, measuring c.24‐60m in diameter, usually enclosed with one or more earthen bank enclosures, often topped with a timber palisade. In the west of Ireland, the equivalent, the cashel, was often enclosed by a stone wall, with stone huts in the interior. The inhabitants were largely self‐sufficient, and it is not uncommon to have neighboring ringforts, some of which may have served as an early medieval livestock pen." In the village of Coirean (Waterville) Charlie Chaplin is remembered. On a plaque it reads, "For the man who made the movies speak in the hearts of millions Charlie spent many years in our midst as a welcome and humble guest and friend to many. This image was created by sculptor Ala Ryan Hall and it was funded by the generosity of Josephine Chaplin and the the E.U. Leader Programme…July 1998"

Times have changed, once a national fuel for homes in Ireland has now become a controversial energy source in terms of 'global warming' and 'climate change.' Peat bogs and harvesting can still be seen but are far fewer than in the past. Pictured below is a small‐scale operation of peat harvesting along the Ring of Kerry.

Food and beverages in the Ring of Kerry, fish and chips, but don't forget mushy peas. How about ice cream, a pub, music and libations.

Sources: Tour of the Ring of Kerry, brochures and tour guide information, https://www.ireland.com/en‐us/amazing‐places/ring‐of‐kerry/, http://www.theringofkerry.com/visitors/what‐is‐the‐ring‐of‐kerry, http://www.theringofkerry.com/the‐charlie‐chaplin‐link, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/ireland/sponsor‐content‐the‐best‐of‐ireland‐s‐wild‐atlantic‐way‐/, https://www.activeme.ie/guides/ring‐of‐kerry‐scenic‐tourist‐drive‐kerry/, https://www.adventurous‐travels.com/posts/ring‐of‐kerry‐ireland‐beautiful‐beaches‐and‐ idyllic‐scenery, http://www.kerrygems.com/kerry‐gems‐app/what‐to‐know‐about‐kerry/architecture‐in‐kerry/, http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/2_Develop_Your_Business/3_Marketing_Toolkit/capture‐the‐meaning‐krok.pdf, https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/12‐best‐places‐to‐visit‐on‐the‐the‐ring‐of‐kerry/, https://ringofkerrytourism.com/, https://www.irishmirror.ie/lifestyle/travel/10‐iconic‐movies‐you‐never‐7051291, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/charlie‐chaplin‐s‐vacation‐statue, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/27/ireland‐closes‐peat‐bogs‐climate‐change, http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/geography/bogs.html and https://www.livescience.com/38498‐ban‐on‐turf‐cutting‐peat.html. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Ireland's Ring of Kerry