Now that you have strolled through rich gardens, taken a jaunting car ride, and seen the inside of a victorian house, it is time to start the rest of the journey around the Ring of Kerry.
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Just down from Muckross House on the opposite side of the road is Torc waterfall. The beauty of this area is practically unexplainable, there is a short hike ( suitable for any level of fitness) through a fairy land of trees and plants. You almost feel as though you are in a jungle, there is a rich green moss covering everything, and if you are lucky enough to go when it is sprinkling or after a rain you will see a magical place come alive with colors, and smells. The waterfall ends at a hill, but for the more adventerious there is a trail which goes to the top of the fall, with a good view of the area.
If you are driving on this journey here are a few things you should beware of, free roaming sheep, everywhere! I cant stress this enough, I came close to plowing down a herd which were grazing in the middle of road.
On with the trip, the next thing on the agenda is a decision, either continue on, or take a diversion through Kenmare, a lovely town with a stone circle right in the middle of it. By the way if any one goes to Kenmare, or has been there, I went twice and never saw the stone circle, send me a message letting me know it exsists! The ride back to the ring, is along the Kenmare river, a mix between forrest, and subburb.
Sneem is a wonder find, a small village, with a few stores and shops, and a good place to stop and wonder around.
Our next stop is Staigue Fort located between Sneem and Castlecove. The fort which sits in a farmers field, is a wonderful example of a ringed fort.
The most complicated thing is finding it, it is not one of the easiest places to find even with all the signs and maps, when you finally find the right dirt road, it is a one lane boucy ride to the farmers house, but it is worth every pot hole and bump in the road.
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From the fort you will venture in and out of a few villages, through Derrynane National Park and past magnificient views of the Atlantic ocean, across vast land with sweeping views of farms, and through irish history.
The next main town will be Cahirsiveen which has a tourist information center, which is a good place to stop, for gifts and local information. Take your time with this town, there is much to see and experience. The town of Kells is inland a little, and you will find the town a nice change of pace from the usual winds that accompany the cliffs and seaside terain of most of the ring.
Kilorglin is the final destination on the Ring of Kerry. Killorglin is host to the annual Puck Fair festival, reputedly pagan in origin, in which a goat is crowned king. Held every year on the 10th-12th August.
One thing to always remember is " take your time" enjoy the beauty that this part of Ireland offers. Stop often for photographys and the camcorder, you will want to share these memories with everyone back home
