The Kingdom of Kerry
Kerryfish is situated on the Iveragh
peninsula, in Southwest Kerry. The region on the
world famous Ring of Kerry and the magnificent
Skellig Ring can be visited by car, by bicycle, by boat or
for the more adventurous foot via the 'Kerry Way' long distance
walking route.
South Kerry's relative remoteness allows it to retain its
rural and unspoilt beauty and its small villages will delight
the visitors in search of the real Ireland. There are an abundance
of outdoors activities from angling to golfing, from horse
riding to scuba diving. The Skellig Islands are one of the
best known and most impressive dives in Ireland. With beautiful
anemones, seals, basking sharks and a multitude of other species,
the area is the perfect location for diving.
Cahersiveen has hosted the Sea Angling European Championships
on two recent occasions and attracts anglers from all over
the world. Cahersiveen has a reputation for some of the best
deep sea Angling in Europe with angling competitions held
from April to October. The biggest event is a 3 days international
competition held during August. Shore angling is also very
popular in the area and 12 locations are considered as shore
angling “hotspots”.
Almost each night during the summer months traditional Irish
music can be found in most of the local pubs where you can
sample the legendary “craic” and local hospitality.
The first weekend in August, Cahersiveen hosts the Celtic
Music festival. The festival is in its 5th year and has been
growing more popular each year and one not to be missed by
lovers of traditional Irish music and dancing.
The region’s wealth of historical and archaeological
sites is also second to none with more than 1,500 documented
archaeological sites, including the magnificent 6th century
monastery of Skellig Michael, and the best example of stone
forts in Ireland today, Staigue fort, and Valentia Island’s
Tetrapod footsteps.The following are some places of interest
and things to do in and around Cahersiveen.
The Old Barracks Heritage Centre – Cahersiveen
Richard Hayward in his book on Kerry had this to say about
the old RIC Barracks. “This building will stop you on
your tracks with astonishment and jolt your mind to some of
these North West Frontiers Fortresses, which you have seen
in magazines or on the screen; and not without reason, for
this building should stand just in that place and in no other,
on the North West Frontier of India!”.Recently restored,
the Old RIC Barracks is now a heritage centre which hosts
a wide variety of exhibitions in one of the most unusual buildings
in the county.
Europe finest examples of Stone Forts – Cahersiveen
and Castlecove
The area is rich in ancient monuments such as standing stones,
burial grounds, Ogham stones, ancient Christian sites etc…
Some of the most striking of these ancient monuments are the
stone ring forts. Three magnificent example can be seen in
the area. Two of them Leacanabuaile and Cahergall are located
across the river Fertha in Cahersiveen, close to Ballycarbery
castle. The other one is the famous 2,500 years old Staigue
fort near Castlecove.
Daniel O’Connell The Liberator
Daniel O’Connell (1775 – 1847), otherwise known
as “the Liberator”, a famous lawyer and politician
who achieved civic freedom for Irish Catholics in 1829 in
the form of Catholic Emancipation was born at Caharn, beside
Cahersiveen. The remains of the house in which he was born
can still be seen there.
O’Connell Memorial Church – Cahersiveen
The main monument in Cahersiveen is the Daniel O’Connell
Memorial Church. Designed by G.C. Ashling and built in 1888.
The church was approved in Rome and a marble slab was sent
from the catacombs to be used as it corner stone. Mass was
celebrated there for the first time in August 1900.
Cahersiveen Marina
Cahersiveen Marina sits on the banks of the Valentia River.
The Gulf Stream waters of the Atlantic wash through the naturally-formed
Valentia harbour, creating a safe haven in all weather conditions.
Cahersiveen’s long sea-faring tradition ensures a deep-rooted
understanding of the needs of sailors, and of boats of all
types and sizes. The natural, unspoilt environment provides
a backdrop for those who wish to cruise around Valentia Island
and Dingle Bay, and visit the several uninhabited islands.
Skellig Michael Monastery
The most striking historical site is the remarkably preserved
6th century monastery on Skellig Michael. Built 714ft (218m)
above sea level, on a small island 8 miles (12 kms) off the
Kerry coast. From April to September, boats leave Cahersiveen
and Portmagee daily (weather permitting) to bring people to
the amazing Skellig Islands. This is a truly amazing place
and an experience not to be missed. Little Skellig hosts the
world’s largest gannet colony. Gannets can be seen there
from February until October. Other species of birds can also
be seen mainly during the summer months. They include Puffins,
Razorbills and Guillemots from April to mid August, Kittewake
from February to September, Manxshearwaters and Storm Petrels
from April to September. Gulls and Fulmers can be seen all
year round.The Skellig Experience – Portmagee
In order to better understand the Skellig Islands, a visit
to the Skellig Experience Heritage Centre is a must. There
the visitors will be told about the history and archaeology
of Skellig Michael’s early Christian monastery, the
sea birds, their habitat and travels, the history of the lighthouses
and the magic of the underwater Skelligs.
Tetrapod Fossil prints – Valentia Island
385 million years old Tetrapod fossil footsteps have recently
been discovered on Valentia Island, near Cahersiveen. This
is a major discovery since only a few similar examples exist
throughout the world. It has attracted interest from palaeontologists
world-wide and was featured in “National Geographic”
magazine.
Ireland Oldest Synoptic weather station – Cahersiveen
Originally established on Valentia Island as the “Valentia
Observatory”, on August 1st 1868, it is the oldest weather
station in Ireland. Meteorological observations on the Valentia
Island date back to the 1860s when Admiral Fitzroy set up
the system of weather telegraphy.The Station was moved to
its current location on the Waterville road in March 1892.
Weather balloons are sent off twice daily at 11.30am and 5.30pm
and observations are transmitted to Dublin on an hourly basis.
Glanleam Sub Tropical Gardens – Valentia Island
Relax in hidden valleys, admire the beautiful exotic plants
and the magnificent views while wandering through the wonderful
Subtropical Gardens at Glanleam House. Once the seat of the
Knights of Kerry, the gardens are now open to the public from
11am to 5pm. Delicious meals, snacks and fresh pastries are
also served in the newly re-opened tea room.
Altzamuth Stone – Valentia Island
The Altzamuth stone on Valentia Island is one of a number
of stones throughout the world which where used by scientists,
in the past, to calculate the circumference of the earth.
Trans Atlantic Cable to Newfoundland USA – Valentia
Laid in 1865 the Trans Atlantic Cable linking Valentia to
Newfoundland, was at the time the only telegraphic link between
Europe and the United States. It dealt with up to 4000 messages
a day between the two continents, was manned 24 hours a day
365 days a week and provided employment for up to 242 staff.
Remains of Farranfore – Valentia Railway
Remains of the most westerly railway in Europe, the railway
line between Farranfore and Valentia Harbour, which operated
between 1893 and 1960 can be seen on the road between Killorglin
and Cahersiveen. The most noticeable part of the railway is
Gleesk Viaduct near Kells. One of the railway engines is currently
being restored and can be seen beside the Old RIC Barracks
in Cahersiveen.
Cill Rialaig Pre-Famine village and Craft Shop –
Ballinskelligs
Cill Rialaig is a reconstruction of a pre-famine village,
situated on the scenic route to bolus head, on the Skellig
Ring. Within the village, a craft shop has been set up where
artists living in the area expose their work.
Highest point accessible by car in Ireland - Coomanaspig
Pass
Located between Portmagee and the Glen on the Skellig Ring,
Coomanaspig Pass, accessible by car or bicycle affords some
of the most splendid views of the area. From there, visitors
can admire St Finan’s Bay, the Skellig Islands, the
island of Valentia and the Dingle peninsula on the other side
of Dingle Bay. At 1000ft (304m) it is the highest point accessible
by car in Ireland.
Charlie Chaplin Monument – Waterville
Nearby Waterville has over the years attracted numerous personalities.
One of the most famous people to have visited the town is
Charlie Chaplin who used to go there regularly on holidays
with his family. Charlie Chaplin’s Monument, a real
life statue of the famous “Tramp” can be seen
in Waterville’s main street.
A number of blue flag beaches (European Standard
for clean and unpolluted beaches) are easily accessible from
Cahersiveen. You will find blue flag beaches in Kells, Ballinskellig
and Derrynane.
Seine Boat Racing
Regattas and Seine Boat races are also being held during the
summer months. This is very much a local sport. The regattas
are major events on the local sports calendar and attract
a considerable amount of visitors from the surrounding localities.
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