Kerry Way
Encyclopedia
The Kerry Way is a long-distance trail
in County Kerry
, Ireland
. It is a 214 kilometres (133 mi) long circular trail that begins and ends in Killarney
. It is typically completed in nine days. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail
by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council
and is managed by Kerry County Council
, South Kerry Development Partnership and the Kerry Way Committee. The Way circles the Iveragh Peninsula
and forms a walkers' version of the Ring of Kerry
road tour. It is the longest of Ireland's National Waymarked Trails.
, under the chairmanship of Seán Ó Súilleabháin. Ó Súilleabháin was inspired by a history lecture he had attended given by Father John Hayes on the subject of old roads and paths in the southwest of Ireland. Realising that "there was a spider's web-like network of roads and paths that could be combined to form a route around Kerry", he began devising the trail that would become the Kerry Way. The first section – from Killarney to Glenbeigh
– was opened by Tánaiste
Dick Spring
, T. D.
in 1985. It was the second long-distance trail to be opened in the Republic of Ireland, after the Wicklow Way
. The full route was completed in 1989 and opened by Frank Fahey
, T. D., Minister of State
for Youth and Sport. The trail was constructed by workers on FÁS
social employment schemes at a cost of IEP £60,000 and involved the provision of over 200 stiles and six footbridges as well as waymarkers.
A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found the Kerry Way to be one of the most heavily used of the trails. It recommended that it be one of five National Waymarked Trails that should be prioritised to be upgraded to a National Long Distance Trail, a proposed new standard of trail in Ireland, intended to meet international standards for outstanding trails.
, the gateway to Killarney National Park
, passing the shores Lough Leane
and Muckross Lake to reach Torc Waterfall
. From Torc, the trail follows the Old Kenmare Road and crosses Esknamucky Glen to reach the Black Valley
. The Way passes through the Black Valley below Macgillycuddy's Reeks
, including Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain. It then follows a road through Cummeenduff Glen to reach Bridia Valley. It then follows the Lack Road over another mountain pass into Derrynafeana Glen to reach Lough Acoose where it then follows a road to the village of Glencar. From Glencar, the trail follows the Caragh River valley before circling Seefin Mountain to reach Glenbeigh
. There are two marked routes around Seefin: a shorter route to the west of the mountain via Windy Gap or a longer route to the east above Lough Caragh and overlooking Dingle Bay
. The Way then climbs and follows the hills overlooking Dingle Bay until it reaches Drung Hill, where it turns inland to Foilmore. An 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) linking spur provides a connection from Foilmore to Cahersiveen. From Foilemore, the route traverses two ridges to reach the village of Waterville
. From Waterville, there are two possible routes to Caherdaniel
: a coastal trail around Farraniargh Mountain or an inland trail, crossing Capall River and crossing mountains via Windy Gap to Caherdaniel. An old coach road brings the Way to Sneem
. Sneem and Kenmare
are connected by a trail that follows the coast above Kenmare River. The final stretch crosses the mountains between Kenmare and Killarney via another Windy Gap rejoining the outbound route of the Way at Galway's Bridge retracing the route through Muckross to the end in Killarney.
which runs from Dursey Island
in County Cork
to Istanbul
in Turkey
. The E8 continues along the Beara Way
from Kenmare and joins the Blackwater Way
via an unmarked link section between Killarney and Shrone.
Long-distance trail
Long-distance trails are the longer recreational trails mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling ....
in County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is a 214 kilometres (133 mi) long circular trail that begins and ends in Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
. It is typically completed in nine days. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail
Long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland
There are 43 long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland designated as National Waymarked Trails by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council. These trails are inspected annually by the National Trails Office and are maintained by local management committees, Local Authorities,...
by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council
Irish Sports Council
The Irish Sports Council or ISC is the organisation which directs the development of sport within the Ireland.The ISC is a statutory authority and was established in July 1999 under powers provided by the Irish Sports Council Act...
and is managed by Kerry County Council
Kerry County Council
Kerry County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Kerry in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Mayor...
, South Kerry Development Partnership and the Kerry Way Committee. The Way circles the Iveragh Peninsula
Iveragh Peninsula
The Iveragh Peninsula is located in County Kerry in Ireland. It is the largest peninsula in southwestern Ireland. A mountain range, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, lies in the centre of the peninsula...
and forms a walkers' version of the Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. The route covers the 179 km circular road , starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin...
road tour. It is the longest of Ireland's National Waymarked Trails.
History
The Kerry Way was first proposed in 1982 and developed by members of the Laune Mountaineering Club and the Kerry association of An TaisceAn Taisce
An Taisce , also known as the National Trust for Ireland, was established in 1948 with a similar mission to that of the National Trust in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, under the chairmanship of Seán Ó Súilleabháin. Ó Súilleabháin was inspired by a history lecture he had attended given by Father John Hayes on the subject of old roads and paths in the southwest of Ireland. Realising that "there was a spider's web-like network of roads and paths that could be combined to form a route around Kerry", he began devising the trail that would become the Kerry Way. The first section – from Killarney to Glenbeigh
Glenbeigh
Glenbeigh or Glenbei is a village in County Kerry, Ireland. Many of its visitors are there to tour the Ring of Kerry.-References:...
– was opened by Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
Dick Spring
Dick Spring
Richard "Dick" Spring is an Irish businessman and former politician. He was first elected as a Labour Party Teachta Dála in 1981 and retained his seat until 2002. He became leader of the Labour Party in 1982, and held this position until 1997...
, T. D.
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
in 1985. It was the second long-distance trail to be opened in the Republic of Ireland, after the Wicklow Way
Wicklow Way
The Wicklow Way is a long-distance trail that crosses the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. It runs from Marlay Park in the southern suburbs of Dublin through County Wicklow and ends in the village of Clonegal in County Carlow. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the Irish Sports...
. The full route was completed in 1989 and opened by Frank Fahey
Frank Fahey
Frank Fahey is a property developer and former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Galway West constituency.-Life before politics:...
, T. D., Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
for Youth and Sport. The trail was constructed by workers on FÁS
Foras Áiseanna Saothair
An Foras Áiseanna Saothair , referred to in English as the Training and Employment Authority and commonly known as FÁS , is a state agency in Ireland with responsibility for assisting those seeking employment...
social employment schemes at a cost of IEP £60,000 and involved the provision of over 200 stiles and six footbridges as well as waymarkers.
A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found the Kerry Way to be one of the most heavily used of the trails. It recommended that it be one of five National Waymarked Trails that should be prioritised to be upgraded to a National Long Distance Trail, a proposed new standard of trail in Ireland, intended to meet international standards for outstanding trails.
Route
The trail originally started at the River Flesk, 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) from Killarney, but has since been extended to start in the centre of Killarney. The initial stage passes through the grounds of Muckross HouseMuckross House
Muckross House is located on the small Muckross Peninsula between Muckross Lake and Lough Leane, two of the lakes of Killarney, from the town of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland....
, the gateway to Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932...
, passing the shores Lough Leane
Lough Leane
Lough Leane is largest of the three lakes of Killarney. The River Laune flow from the lake into the Dingle Bay.The lake's name means "lake of learning" probably in reference to the monastery on Innisfallen, an island in the lake...
and Muckross Lake to reach Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is a waterfall at the base of Torc Mountain, about from Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.The falls are one of the landmarks on the 200 kilometre Kerry Way walking tour, and are encompassed in the Killarney National Park...
. From Torc, the trail follows the Old Kenmare Road and crosses Esknamucky Glen to reach the Black Valley
The Black Valley
The Black Valley in County Kerry, is a remote location in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks situated south of the Gap of Dunloe and north of Moll's Gap. The valley is also part of the Kerry Way, a walkers version of the Ring of Kerry beginning and ending in Killarney....
. The Way passes through the Black Valley below Macgillycuddy's Reeks
Macgillycuddy's Reeks
MacGillycuddy's Reeks is a mountain range in County Kerry, Republic of Ireland. Stretching slightly over , it includes the highest peaks in Ireland and the only peaks on the island that are over . The highest of these is Corrán Tuathail or Carrauntoohil , followed by Binn Chaorach and Cathair na...
, including Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain. It then follows a road through Cummeenduff Glen to reach Bridia Valley. It then follows the Lack Road over another mountain pass into Derrynafeana Glen to reach Lough Acoose where it then follows a road to the village of Glencar. From Glencar, the trail follows the Caragh River valley before circling Seefin Mountain to reach Glenbeigh
Glenbeigh
Glenbeigh or Glenbei is a village in County Kerry, Ireland. Many of its visitors are there to tour the Ring of Kerry.-References:...
. There are two marked routes around Seefin: a shorter route to the west of the mountain via Windy Gap or a longer route to the east above Lough Caragh and overlooking Dingle Bay
Dingle Bay
Dingle Bay is a bay located in County Kerry, western Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately wide at the head, and wide at the entrance. It is flanked on the north by the Dingle Peninsula, and on the south by the Iveragh...
. The Way then climbs and follows the hills overlooking Dingle Bay until it reaches Drung Hill, where it turns inland to Foilmore. An 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) linking spur provides a connection from Foilmore to Cahersiveen. From Foilemore, the route traverses two ridges to reach the village of Waterville
Waterville, County Kerry
Waterville, historically known as Carrean , is a village in County Kerry, Ireland, on the Iveragh peninsula. The town is sited on a narrow isthmus, with Lough Currane on the east side of the town, and Ballinskelligs Bay on the west, and the Currane River connecting the two.The town's name in Irish...
. From Waterville, there are two possible routes to Caherdaniel
Caherdaniel
Caherdaniel is a village in County Kerry, Ireland, located on the Iveragh peninsula on the Ring of Kerry. It is situated on the southwestern side of the peninsula, facing onto Derrynane Bay, at a T-junction on the N70 road....
: a coastal trail around Farraniargh Mountain or an inland trail, crossing Capall River and crossing mountains via Windy Gap to Caherdaniel. An old coach road brings the Way to Sneem
Sneem
Sneem is a town situated on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry in the southwest of Ireland. It lies on the estuary of the River Sneem. National route N70 runs through the town....
. Sneem and Kenmare
Kenmare
Kenmare is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara meaning "head of the sea", referring to the head of Kenmare Bay.-Location:...
are connected by a trail that follows the coast above Kenmare River. The final stretch crosses the mountains between Kenmare and Killarney via another Windy Gap rejoining the outbound route of the Way at Galway's Bridge retracing the route through Muckross to the end in Killarney.
Intersecting and connecting paths
The Kenmare to Killarney section of the Kerry Way forms part of European walking route E8European walking route E8
The E8 European long distance path or E8 path is one of the European long-distance paths, leading 4700km across Europe, from Cork in Ireland to Istanbul in Turkey....
which runs from Dursey Island
Dursey Island
Dursey Island lies at the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula in the west of County Cork in Ireland. Dursey Island is 6.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island is separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water called Dursey Sound which has a very strong tidal race, with a...
in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The E8 continues along the Beara Way
Beara Way
The Beara Way is a long-distance trail in Ireland. It is a long circular trail around the Beara Peninsula that begins and ends in Glengarriff, County Cork. It is typically completed in nine days...
from Kenmare and joins the Blackwater Way
Blackwater Way
The Blackwater Way is a long-distance trail that follows the valley of the River Blackwater in the Republic of Ireland. It is long and begins in Clogheen, County Tipperary and ends in Shrone, County Kerry. It is typically completed in ten days...
via an unmarked link section between Killarney and Shrone.