APRIL 16 - Today drive the famous loop tracing the outline of the Iveragh Peninsula. We did it counter-clockwise, which passes through more towns and farmland first, and the dunes/beach of Rossbeigh Strand. Stopped off at a few forts. On to Waterville, famous for the annual visits it used to receive from Charlie Chaplain. Somewhat stormy and cold today, we eat lunch in a pub and visit a nearby fort. The last part of the loop, through the Killarney National Park, is a stunning mountainous drive with windswept conifers and innumerable small lakes. By far the wildest part of the country we’ve seen.
(E) is Killarney, (B) Rossbeigh Strand, (C) Waterville, (D) Killarney National Park and Torc Waterfall.
Stop at a random access point to Lake Caragh. A group of women are just going in for a group swim. To put it in perspective, it is perhaps 50 degrees F out, but there is significant wind chill.
Cahergal Stone Fort. This style of fortified homestead dates back to the 9th Century.
We all had to hold the lamb.
Lohar Stone Fort, also thought to be early 9th Century. The footprints of the two buildings inside almost fill the space. The original enclosing wall may have been higher. So many of the older structures we’ve seen in Ireland are essentially fortresses.
Standing at Lady’s View, out over the highlands of Killarney NP.
Torc Waterfall, in the Killarney NP. Overall I was really impressed with this area, very scenic and rugged. Vegetation a lot like what is seen in the Pacific Northwest of the US.
We have seen a couple of these mysterious doors around...
