srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

The Ring of Kerry (Irish: Mórchuaird Chiarraí) is a 179-kilometre-long (111-mile) circular tourist route in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. Clockwise from Killarney it follows the N71 to Kenmare, then the N70 around the Iveragh Peninsula to Killorglin – passing through Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen, and Glenbeigh – before returning to Killarney via the N72.

Popular points include Muckross House (near Killarney), Staigue stone fort and Derrynane House, home of Daniel O'Connell. Just south of Killarney, Ross Castle, Lough Leane, and Ladies View (a panoramic viewpoint), all located within Killarney National Park, are major attractions located along the Ring. A more complete list of major attractions along the Ring of Kerry includes: Gap of Dunloe, Bog Village, Dunloe Ogham Stones, Kerry Woollen Mills, Rossbeigh Beach, Cahersiveen Heritage Centre, Derrynane House, Skellig Experience, Staigue Fort, Kenmare Lace, Moll's Gap, Ballymalis Castle, Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, The Blue Pool, Ross Castle, Ogham Stones, St Mary’s Cathedral, Muckross Abbey, Franciscan Friary, Kellegy Church, O’Connell Memorial Church, Sneem Church and Cemetery, Skellig Michael, Beehive Cells and the Stone Pillars marking an important grave.

There is also an established walking path named The Kerry Way, which takes its own route, and a signposted Ring of Kerry cycling path which uses older quieter roads where possible. The Kerry Way roughly follows the scenic driving route of the Ring of Kerry.

There are numerous variations to the route taking in St. Finian's Bay and Valentia Island which the official driving ring misses (the official cycling route takes in Valentia Island). As well as beaches, it also offers the Gap of Dunloe, Bog Village, Derrynane House, the Skellig Experience Valentia Island, Moll's Gap, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, and Ross Castle.

"The Ring" is a popular day trip and numerous bus companies offer circuits during the summer months. As the narrow roads make it difficult for tour coaches to pass one another, all tour buses run in an anti-clockwise direction, travelling via Killorglin first. Some recommend that car owners travel in the opposite direction, going first to Kenmare to avoid delays caused by tour buses. Others advise travelling counter-clockwise to avoid having to pass the buses. In 2008 satellite navigation systems were blamed for directing bus drivers in a clockwise direction around the route.

Unfortunately, our views of the magnificent coastline were obscured by rain and fog. I did manage to get some interesting shots during brief breaks in the weather and more as we drove through towns and inland to Moll's Gap and The Killarney National Park which will be subjects of future posts. I hope you enjoy these, all of which were taken through the tour bus windows with a Nikon D7500 and 18-300 lens at 1/640 sec, f5.6 and auto ISO. Post processing with Luminar 4.
Mark

What most of the coast looked like

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Derrynane House, birthplace and home of Daniel O'Connell

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Sculpture depicting Saint Brendan, who according to Irish legend sailed with monks to North America and discovered it centuries before Christopher Columbus.

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Cahersiveen

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Daniel O'Connel Memorial Church built in 1886

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Our tour director, Steve in the rear view mirror

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kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nicely done considering the weather and you shooting through wet glass.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Lovely photos. I have Irish ancestors. I wish I could travel to Ireland for an extended visit. If things got boring I could always go to a bar and start a fight. (:

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Good work in poor conditions, Mark!

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks very much Ken. It certainly was frustrating missing the majestic coastline but some of the later images I'll post made up for it since the clouds were awesome.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks BigMike. We witnessed no bar fights during our trip.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks so much Mike. I always appreciate your kind words.

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

Mark, A friend of mine and I did that trip following a meeting in Dublin in 2004 but were blessed with much nicer weather. One thing we did notice often were the wonderful lunch carveries. We were amused that most of them offered, along with carved meats, three vegetables. The amusing part was that the vegetables were mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes and fried potatoes. We still enjoyed our lunches and our whole journey.
Scotty

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I reckon they weren't filming any John Wayne movies there then.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks for commenting Scotty - my cup of tea!. We had the pleasure of lunch at Jameson's along with a tasting and tour which I'll post soon.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Excellent set and a good day to be inside the bus rather than wandering around outside.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks again Dennis. I agree. Fortunately it did clear somewhat inland which will be the subject of my next few posts.

L-Fox

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks Loren.