travel photography and more
County Kerry
Hey,
I am glad you drop by!
I am Lars, constantly plagued by wanderlust and I do have a preference
for spontaneous individual trips, outdoor adventures and road trips.
...feel free to join me on my endless journey in the moments I like to share within...
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Travel with me on
The Sheep's Head Way
A remote valley near Killarney.
A paradise for hikers and guaranteed net-free zone.
My favorite places in County Kerry
I travel to County Kerry in the search for rest and recreation and sometimes just find myself.
I prefer to be out in nature and any weather is fine for me.
That's why my favourite places in County Kerry are outside the cities.
I like to travel in autumn. I then experience all kinds of weather and moods and meet considerably more Irish than tourists.
Valentia Island
Much further to the west than to Valentia Island one cannot drive in Europe.
Exactly here, at this point, about 370 million years ago, a tetrapod left its footprints when it was walking through the mud near the shore.
The tracks are fossilized and today are perhaps the oldest signs of vertebrates on land.
Not far from here, from 1866, the first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable connected the European continent with the American continent.
The island has a wild, rocky coastline where you can feel the power of the North Atlantic up close.
Also worth experiencing is the hiking trail to Geokaun Mountain, the highest mountain on the island.
You reach Valentina Island easily via a bridge that branches off in Portmagee not far from the Ring of Kerry.
From March to October there is a car ferry between Reenard Point near Caherciveen and the capital of the island, Knightstown.
Ballinskelligs Castle
My decision to pack the bulky rubber boots proved to be the right one.
The castle is on an island at high tide and can be reached on foot at low tide, but there are always more or less big tideways which would have been a real obstacle without the boots.
So it was really fun to discover this ruin extensively and to stomp carelessly through the silt sand.
It was built in the 16th century by McCarthy Mór to protect the bay from pirates, at the same time it served to demand tariffs for incoming merchant ships.
The Killarney National Park
Ross Island
Formerly an island, today connected to the mainland, Ross Island lies on the east side of Lough Leane not far from the city of Killarney.
It was here, about 1 kilometre from Ross Castle, that the first copper mines in Ireland and Britain were located, probably the first in Western Europe.
The mines started their operation from about 2400 B.C. and were operated until about 1900 B.C.. Due to the high copper demand during the industrial revolution, the mines were then reopened in the 19th century.
However, since there were serious problems with water infiltrations from the lake and also because Killarney's importance for tourism was growing, it was decided to replenish the mines, to remove the buildings and to renature the entire area.
The island is part of the Killarney National Park, the whole park is excellently connected with hiking trails and can be easily reached via the city centre of Killarney.
Ladies View
Also in the Killarney National Park there is this beautiful view point.
At the beginning there was a great love, the love of a queen into a land and its landscapes.
When Queen Victoria stayed in Killarney in 1861, her court ladies were on the wander. These ladies were so impressed by this view that it still has the name Ladies View.
This charm has not changed over the years. It is still very beautiful to sit here and let your gaze wander into the distance, when clouds are moving over the landscape you can enjoy the change of light.
The thing has a flaw nevertheless.
This beautiful place is situated directly at a road through the mountains and there is a parking place, big enough for buses and then there is a kiosk...
Nevertheless, if you come early in the morning, or like me a little later in the evening, then you don't have the kiosk, but the place for yourself.
If you have a longer stay I recommend to explore the national park on foot. It is very spacious and surprises again and again with great views and insights.
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