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
The Ring of Kerry is Ireland’s most famous touring spot. It has got a spectacular scenery all along the route. You can begin your trip in Killarney and travel along the banks of the river Laune until Killorglin, the home of Puck Fair, and then take the coast road and see the magnificent sights of the beach at Glenbeigh and the Blasket Islands at the mouth of Dingle Bay. In Caherciveen it’s possible to take the elevator to the top of the former barracks and see the countryside for kilometers around. It is worth visiting the Valentia Island if you can find out time for that. Waterville and Derrynane are world famous for their beaches, walks and angling, as well as archaeology. Here you will embark up on the routes taking you to Ireland’s most picturesque village, Sneem, and along the coast road to beautiful Kenmare. The trip will come to a grand finale in the drive from Moll’s Gap to Killarney