Venture to Valentia Island | The Wild Atlantic Way
Valentia Island embodies all of the main features of the Wild Atlantic Way in one neat and seriously picturesque package. Just off the Ring of Kerry, it can be reached by bridge from Portmagee or by ferry during the summertime from Reenard Point. Where you will also find the O’ Neill's Bar which does very good seafood and pints which could delay your crossing! Only joking there’s one every 10 minutes.
Valentia Island - Off the Ring of Kerry
Your first stop might be Cromwell’s Lighthouse which has opened to the public recently but the main attraction is the Tetrapod Walkway or dinosaur footprints which were discovered by a Swiss geologist in the 1990s. They are the only in situ dinosaur footprints in the world and believed to be in the region of 385 million years old, which is pretty cool by any standards.
Further on up the island, much higher up in fact is Geokaun Mountain where a local farmer realising his sheep had the best views in Ireland decided to develop a handy walkway up to the top. You can park your car at any one of the 3 car parks on the way up or do a short looped walk (15mins) from the second one for the best 360 degree views you will find anywhere in Ireland.
From here you can see over to Dingle and the Great Blasket Islands and back towards Cahirciveen with its strange castle like police barracks. Apparently the architect mixed up the plans back in 1870 with this building designed for a site in India which leaves us all wondering if there is an Irish counterpart out there in the Punjab. Swing around a bit further and you can see the Skelligs islands way out to sea where the monks created stone cells and lived in splendid isolation from the 6th century.
If you fancy staying a night on Valentia Island our B&B Carraig Liath House is a great place to stay or you can try out any of our many B&Bs in Kerry; where our hosts are waiting to greet you with a warm welcome. Bed and Breakfast accommodation is the perfect base for exploring the region of Kerry. Your hosts will be delighted to offer you advice on all the best places to visit and attractions that are not to be missed.
Posted: 07 May 2014 by
Niall McKee |
with 0 comments
Tags: Wild Atlantic Way
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