Iveragh Peninsula
| Iveragh Peninsula | ||
 Location of the Iveragh Peninsula |
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| Geographical location | ||
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| Coordinates | 51 ° 53 '46 " N , 10 ° 1' 44" W | |
| Waters 1 | Atlantic Ocean | |
The Iveragh Peninsula ( Irish : Uíbh Ráthach ) is shaped by the Ring of Kerry , which is the main attraction of south-western Ireland in County Kerry . But not only the scenic road , but also the area around Killarney , Valentia Island and Skellig Michael belong to the Iveragh, where the McGillycuddy Reeks are the highest mountains in the country.
Geography and history
The peninsula has pretty much all of the prehistoric monuments that Ireland has to offer. Outstanding are monasteries , castles (around Killarney), duns , holy springs , menhirs , ogham stones , wedge tombs and the great alignment of Eightercua .
The place Killorglin is known for the three-day festival "Puck Fair" (beginning August 10th). The festival, which is based on Celtic traditions and mainly involves animals, is presided over by a crowned billy goat as king. The occasion of the festival was Christianized. The goat originally symbolized the Irish old god. His monument in the village shows him standing on a boulder.
Touristic
A detour from Cahersiveen over the Valentia River leads to the stone forts or duns of Cahergall and Leacanabuaile . To the west are Valentia Island and Beginish Island . Tiny Church Island , whose monastery is believed to date from AD 750, is only accessible privately from the pier in Cahersiveen. Valentia Island can also be reached by boat from there or from Reenard Point to Knightstown, the island's main settlement . There is a road connection over the bridge at Portmagee . The island is over 10 km long and only 3–4 km wide between Knightstown and Bray Head Lighthouse . Away from the busy, narrow streets of the Rings of Kerry lies the hikers' paradise, the entire hilly southwest with the main town Ballinskellings with the old Priory. From here private tours to Skellig Michael , the island of the monks, puffins and scuba diving can be booked. Another route through Iveragh, which is off the beaten track, runs through the middle of the peninsula. Starting near Waterville, leading through Killeenleagh and ending at Killarney, it is a typical cycle route away from the traffic.
