The Ring of Kerry or Iveragh Peninsula (Irish: An Mhór Chuaird) is one of the most scenic aspects of Ireland'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 County Kerry in South Western Ireland. The road trip begins and ends in Killarney. 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, Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Sneem and Kenmare.
Mt. Carrauntoohil, 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 Killarney National Park
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. Ringforts 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 ringfort 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."
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