Reencaheragh Cottage
Portmagee, County Kerry
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Reencaheragh Cottage Portmagee, County Kerry |
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The History That Surrounds Us - Part I The History That Surrounds Us - Part II
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Local Activities County Kerry, and particularly the Iveragh peninsula, is rich in Irish history, culture and natural beauty. There are many activities for your holiday, no matter what the weather brings! Portmagee, situated in the at the southwestern portion of the Iveragh peninsula, is surrounded by breathtaking coastal and rural scenery. It is also easily accessible to many interesting attractions around the Ring of Kerry. Here is a sampling of the local activities. Detailed brochures are available in the cottage. *******************************
There are many walks in the area--hill walking is one of Kerry's best activities! Several maps and excerpts from local hiking/hill walking books are provided in the cottage. Here are some examples: St. Finian’s Bay—the road up the hill from the house towards Ballinskelligs leads to spectacular views of the bay and the surrounding countryside. You can continue along the ridge for expansive views of the peninsula including Ireland's highest mountains--Macgillicuddy's Reeks. Bray Head—visible from the house, and at the mouth of Portmagee harbor, Bray Head is a short, easy walk along the trail after the car-park on Valentia Island. A c. 1800 lookout tower marks the highest point, and on fine days excellent views can be had of Dingle Bay, the Skelligs, and Kerry’s highest sea-cliffs just up the hill from the house. (see photo here). Derrynane—there are several nice walks in this area, beginning in the sand dunes in Derrynane National Park near Castlecove (on the Ring of Kerry road past Waterville). A beach walk to Abbey Island (old abbey ruin) is an easy one. Or try a moderate 8km/5mi circuit hike going along the ocean and then up along the hillside overlooking beautiful Derrynane Bay, then down through the woods of Derrynane. [see the Ireland Heritage website] Rossbeigh—a moderate and flat circuit walk along the windswept dunes along the ocean, near Glenbeigh, 8km/5mi. Bolus Head—a road walk with breathtaking sea views over Ballinskelligs Bay, 10km/6mi. Knocknadobar—an easy walk along the Pilgrim’s route from Kell’s Bay towards Cahersiveen and return, 10km/6mi. Maughernane—a nice lakeside hike near Waterville, 8km/5mi. Cloghvoola—a spectacular walk ascending 640m/2100ft in the Waterville area, 10km/6mi. Coomasharn—a scenic hill walk ascending 800m/2600ft near Glenbeigh along mountain ridges, 9.5km/7mi The Kerry Way--this circuit tail around the Ring of Kerry passes close to Portmagee. Valentia Island has a number of scenic walks. Various hiking maps and directions are provided in the cottage.
Bicycling is another quiet and slow way to see the countryside while on vacation. Bikes are available for use at the cottage, and you can hire bikes in Cahersiveen. Valentia Island—Valentia Island is a quiet and peaceful farming area with many side-roads to explore. Ride from Caherciveen to the Valentia Island car ferry at Renard. Ride along the quiet lanes of the island. Stop for lunch in Knightstown before taking the ferry back Ballycarberry Castle and nearby ringforts—take the road out of Caherciveen across the Ferthy River (at the Old Barracks) and ride to these undiscovered historical gems of southwest Kerry. The castle is the former stronghold of the McCarthy Mors, a ruling clan on the peninsula c. 1000 – 1600 CE. The Leacanabuaile and Cahergall ringforts are well-restored dry-stone circular fortifications with walls ten feet thick, built by the Celts after their arrival c. 300 BCE.
The Iveragh Peninsula, also called the "Ring of Kerry" because of the popular touring route around the outer edge of the peninsula, offers many possible routes and destinations for scenic country rides. Here are some we like: Coast Road to Kenmare. This takes you along the beautiful east side of the peninsula with views of the Kenmare River and the Beara peninsula. Kenmare is a nice town with shops, restaurants and other amenities. There are a number of scenic villages along the way with much to offer. Staigue fort, built by the Celts around 500 BCE, is close by the main road and is well worth a visit. Coast Road to Glenbeigh, return on inland route. This trip takes you along the scenic western coast with views of Dingle Bay and the Dingle peninsula. From Glenbeigh you could take the road towards Caragh Lake and find your way down the middle of the peninsula towards Waterville. Dingle peninsula: Take the coast road from Castlemaine and drive to Dingle, which is a large town with many shops and places to eat and drink. The road to Slea Head is very scenic. The road over Conor Pass and down to Cloghane and Brandon is also very nice. The heritage center in Ballyferriter serves some of the finest soup we have ever tasted. Louis Muchahy has a pottery shop nearby. The Blasket Islands visitor center is very interesting and has a tea shop. There are many sites of archeological interest on the peninsula, such as promontory forts, ogham stones, standing stones and cloghans. The Beara peninsula is well worth a trip. Glengarriff has a fine garden (see below) nearby and out on the peninsula the countryside is very scenic. The villages of Ardgroom and Eyeries are nice. There are several excellent stone circles and standing stones near Laraugh and Ardgroom, dating to about 2000 - 1000 BCE. **************************
The warm Gulf Stream passes close to the shores of Kerry which creates a temperate climate ideal for a variety of plant life. There are several gardens nearby to enjoy this unique climate. Glanleam—Valentia Island: Glanleam Subtropical Gardens were created over 150 years ago by the Knight of Kerry and are famous for a unique collection of rare and tender southern hemisphere plants. Woodlands sweep down to the sea, overlooking the spectacular scenery of Valentia harbour and the distant Kerry mountains. Broad walks weave through jungle-like plantings of South American palms, Australian tree ferns, bananas and giant groves of bamboo and myrtles from Chile. Muckross--Killarney -- The gardens of Muckross House are famed for their beauty world-wide. In particular they are noted for their fine collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, extensive water garden, and an outstanding rock garden hewn out of natural limestone. Dunloe Castle—Killarney--The gardens at Dunloe Castle combine the wild grandeur of loughs and mountains, including Macgillycuddy's Reeks, with rarities of the plant world seldom seen elsewhere in Ireland. Each season brings its own specialties; camellias and rhododendrons in spring, magnolias and sun roses in summer, Irish heaths and richly tinted leaves in autumn. Dereen Gardens--Lauragh, Kenmare--The luxuriant woodlands of Derreen Gardens give glimpses of the sea and the surrounding wild and majestic country. Mossy paths and lichen-encrusted rocks, tunnels in deep shade through the rhododendrons, towering eucalyptus and groves of bamboo all contribute to the making of this fine sub-tropical garden. Perhaps the most famous feature of Derreen is a grove of the tender New Zealand tree fern, dicksonia antarctica. Ilnacullin (Garinish Island)--Bantry--Located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, Ilnacullin is a small island of 15 hectares (37 acres) known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all around the world as an island garden of rare beauty. *************************
County Kerry is home to some of the finest Gaelic football in all of Ireland. Kerry's football teams have won the All-Ireland trophy more than 30 times. Local clubs, including the Skellig Rangers of Portmagee, play at various times during the year. Gaelic football began in earnest in Ireland in the late 1800’s, as part of an effort to promote Irish culture. It is now an integral part of the fabric of Ireland, with various league competitions going on throughout the year. It is an exciting game which combines speed, endurance and skill . Check with the foodstore in the village for the next Rangers match, which might be played at the village pitch just up the road (towards the cottage, go straight instead of turning right at the bend). Caherciveen, Waterville, Valentia and other local towns also have games which are usually posted in local stores and pubs.************************* Historical Sites Some of the popular sites locally are:
At Skellig Michael, monks landed in the 6th century and built their monastery 700 feet up on the steep rock. The monks inhabited the island until the 12th century. The hermitage site is open to the public, and expert staff provide historical guides to visitors. Thousands of puffins inhabit the island through mid-July. The Skelligs Rock is one of many scenic attractions in the Kerry region. It is famous for the gannet colony - the second largest in Europe. The 'Skellig Experience' visitor center is just across the channel from Portmagee on Valentia Island. The exhibition includes the History and Archaeology of Skellig Michael's Early Christian Monastery, the Sea Birds, their habitat and worldwide travels, the Lighthouses which have given 161 years of service to mariners, and the Underwater Skellig, which has many interesting creatures and plants. Ballycarberry Castle and two nearby ringforts - Cahergall and Leacanabuaile (outside Cahersiveen) Just outside of Caherciveen, the castle is the former stronghold of the McCarthy Mors, a ruling clan on the peninsula c. 1000 – 1600. The ringforts are well-restored dry-stone circular fortifications, built by the Celts after their arrival c. 300 BCE. Staigue Cashel (Stone Fort) (Castlecove--30 minutes) Staigue Fort, in nearby Castlecove, is probably the finest example of a stone fort in Ireland, and is about 2500 years old. It is built of local stone and is almost circular, 27m in diameter. The walls are almost 4m thick at the base, and 2m thick at the top. and Abbey Island (Castlecove--30 minutes)A ncestral home of Daniel O’Connell, famous Irish lawyer, politician and statesman, known as “the Liberator” for his work in obtaining emancipation of Catholics from restrictions imposed after the Act of Union in 1800. Contains gardens. Nearby Abbey Island contains ruins of the 8th century St. Finian’s Abbey and is easily accessible on nice beach walk from Derrynane House.Ross Castle (Killarney--1 hour) Well-restored 14th century castle situated on the lakes of Killarney. Tours are given year-round, but only on weekends in the off-season. This well-restored Castle and outer defenses were built by the O'Donoghue Ross Chieftains during the 15th century. The barracks alongside dates from the mid 18th century. The castle houses a fine collection of 16th and 17th century oak furniture. Kerry Woolen Mills (Killarney) The mill is situated beside the river Gweestin, which joins the River Laune, the main outfall of the Killarney Lakes. The older mill buildings date from the 17th century, when a woollen manufacturing industry was established in this pleasant rural area near the MacGillycuddy Reeks. The nearby river was harnessed to drive a wooden water turbine. It was replaced in 1928 by a steel unit, which still provides fifty percent of today's requirements. The excellent quality soft water is used for washing and dyeing the cloth. A full range of woollen manufacturing processes have been carried out on this location from early times to the present day. Shop located on the premises.Many sites of historical and archeological interest We have a copy of the Archeological Survey of Southwest Kerry for your use. There are many remnatns of times past, dating as far as 4500 years ago, in the area. More information can be found at these websites: Megaliths of Kerry, Megalithic Portal to Kerry, and Megalithia. **************************
Dooks (near Glenbeigh): Tel : 066 - 976-8205 Parknasilla (near Sneem): 064 – 45233 Kenmare: 064 – 41291 Killarney Golf and Fishing club 064 – 31014 Beaufort (near Killarney) 064-44440 Dunloe (near Killarney): 064 - 44578 Ross (near Killarney, 9 holes): 064 - 31125 Tralee: 066-713-6370 Ballybunion: 068-27146 Old Head of Kinsale: 021-477-8444 For more information on golf in the area, visit these websites: Southwest Ireland Golf *************************
There is excellent freshwater fishing nearby. Visit the Central Fisheries Board website for general information about inland fishing, and the Southwestern Regional Fisheries Board website for local details. Also, see the Lough Currane website for good information about access to the Lough Currane watershed. Many local ghillies (expert guides) are available for a wide variety of inland fishing interests. Information is provided in the cottage, or contact us for more information. Here is
Angling—ocean The influential Gulf Stream waters from the Gulf of Mexico drift close to the south-west coast of Ireland and every year sub tropical species of fish mingle with Blue Shark, Gurnard, Tope, Wrasse, Pollack, Mackerel, Plaice, Spurdogs, Bass, Flats, Ray, Conger, Dog Fish, Huss, Whiting, Mullet, Codling, and Coalfish, constituting a great variety of fish in some of the cleanest waters in Europe. Full equipped and approved boats are available in Portmagee as well as Valentia; Cahersiveen; Derrynane; Caherdaniel; Killorglin; and Sneem. The Central Fisheries Board publishes a comprehensive Irish Angling Guide, which is available in the Skellig Experience centre on Valentia Island. **************************** Kerry Bog Village MuseumThe Kerry Bog Village Museum near the village at Glenbeigh on the Ring of Kerry road is a unique attraction for young and old who are interested in finding out more on the domestic lifestyles of the Irish in the early 1800's. It aims to create a period setting where you can visit and experience the past and understand the way of life in Ireland during this era. *****************************
There are several stables in the area offering varying rides for
different skill levels. Information brochures are available in
the cottage. ************************* Killarney National Park
The National Park Visitor Centre (located at Muckross House) and the Information Point at Torc Waterfall provide information on all aspects of the park. The Education Centre, located at Knockreer House, provides a range of courses related to nature conservation and ecology. For information Tel: +353 64 35960. See Also Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Traditional Farms, Muckross Friary and Ross Castle.
Coillte, Ireland’s forestry service, maintains many hectares of forestland in Kerry to promote reforestation of the countryside, animal habitat, biodiversity and for recreation, using sustainable forest management practices according to international standards. Here are a few examples for short hikes through these lush forests:
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