Geography in Kerry
Botany | Topography | Zoology |
Botany
Lough Derg is the lower of the two great lake-like expansions of the Shannon, the other, Lough Ree, lying further up the river. Save at its southern end, where he lake is embosomed in hills of Silurian slate, the winding shores are. formed of low-lying limestones, and the numerous islands arc composed of the same rock. Botanical interest centres on the low, uncultivated islets and reefs, and on the sloping, stony shores. Here a peculiar flora is developed, as the following list of abundant plants will show :
Westward a few miles, across the deep gash in which lies the Upper Lake of Killarney, Macgillicuddys Recks rise head and shoulders above the surrounding sea of hills. Those arc a beautiful group of lofty cones, with steep sides and many imposing cliff ranges, and deep coombs in which lie dark tarns. The loftiest, Carrantuohill, the highest mountain in Ireland, attains 3414 ft., and several of the other peaks exceed 3000 ft. At the cast end of the Reeks the famous Gap of Dunloe, through which a road runs, separates them from the Purple Mountain group which looks down on the Lower Lake.
Beneath the Seefin mountain at the entrance of a horseshoe of mountains where the Behy river mingles with the waters of Dingle Bay is nestled Glenbeigh. It is a very popular holiday base for touring the Ring of Kerry. Many Fiana legends hang around Glenbeigh where Diarmuid and Grainne spent some days hiding in a cave in the valley of the Behy, where Diarmuid achieved such exploits against his pursuers. Rossbeigh is known for where Oisin and Niamh took to the sea on their white horse to live in the land of youth - Tir na nOg. One of Kerry’s finest walks follows the Glenbeigh Horseshoe, circuit of hills from Seefin to Drung Hill, with a never ending succession of panoramic close-ups of glacial corries, lakes and magnificent scenery. An amazingly beautiful stretch of sandy beach famous for safe swimming and water sports lies under the shadow of Curra Hill. A century old tower stands at the north end of the sandhills. This worked as a guide for ships entering Castlemaine Harbour. A beautiful collection of water 4 miles long set among broom and heather with majestic mountains for background at the eastern end of village is famous for excellent fishing. Coomasharn Lake is the largest of all in Glenbeigh and is enclosed on three sides by high rocky mountains protecting it from industrial pollution, also known for its trout fishing and is one of the lakes in Ireland which has the Sliver Blue Char, an eel water fish
Killorglin situates on a hill to the south of Castlemaine Harbour headwaters, on the well known salmon fishing River Laune. The king of Puck Fair, interestingly a chosen mountain goat is borne in triumph and enthroned here for two days. You may wonder why the king of the fair is a goat. The story is that a stampeding herd of mountain goats warned the locals of the invasion by the Cromwellian forces! The festival attracts visitors from around the globe to join in the festivities during many years now. The festival is held on 10th to 12th of August every year. All the three days have been named to be The Gathering Day (a horse fair), The Fair Day (a cattle fair) and The Scattering Day. Killorglin is situated on the river Laune, an excellent salmon fishing river. The Southern Fisheries Board have organised joint development programs with local boards to ease the access to Anglers. The Fishery boards safeguard a number of lakes to ensure successful day time fishing. The river Laune is blessed with a run of Salmon and the river also helps draining the largest of the Killarney Lakes which is known for its brown trout. You will need a state license/ permit for salmon angling. This you will get from The Regional Fisheries Boards, license distributors, tackle shops, hotels and guest houses all around the county. Two monuments are worth visiting here. One was erected to Townsend 
Blennerhasset, a member of the Kerry Militia, who was drowned in 1867 while rescuing a friend and the other is located at Ballykissane pier, where three Irish Volunteers were drowned when they took a wrong turn as they were on their way to Cahirsiveen on an attempt to make wireless contact with Roger Casement. The ruins of this old church the sections of which were built at different times still remain. This church must have been erected by the Audustine Friars from Killagha Abbey in nearby Milltown. The first castle must have been built on this site in 1587 shortly after Queen Elizabeth I granted Killorglin Manor to Jenkin Conway. By 1600 it was burned to zero by the MacCarthys, the present ruined tower house was built by the successors the Blennerhassetts. There lies a stretch of safe and sandy beach for both swimmers and walkers to enjoy alike. A number of world famous restaurants are there in Killorglin with menus to suit all tastes and palates