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Schalker


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One week on Valentia Island in May 2018
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Although Iam a native German speaker I try to write this summary of a week on Valentia Island in May 2018

 

We went to Ireland in springtime for a week for 6 times now and did all the five peninsulas in the southwest.

This time we came back to where we once started the Iveragh Peninsula to be exact Valentia Island.

Living in Germany makes it easy to go to Irland. We flew from Frankfurt-Hahn airport ,which is an former cold war US Airbase in the Hunsrück area about 130 km from Frankfurt city center,

to Kerry Airport near Killarney.(a pub with a runway))

From there its an 1,5 hours drive to Valentia Island on the Skellig Ring. We stayed in the House "Dohilla" from Kerry Coastal Cottages

When we arrived at the house sun was shining and we had a wonderful view over Valentia Harbour, Beginish Island the Valentia Lighthouse the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands.

We decide not to drive to much this year although we rented a car at Kerry Airport.So daytrips of max 40 km one direction were planned.

On the first day we drove to Caherciveen and "over the water" as its called to the Top of the Rocks platform and the Ring Forts Cahergal and Leacanabuile as well as the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle.

First we did the walk up to the platform and started from the little car park at the farm (when you come from Caherciveen its the first right after the sign to Ballycarbery Castle to the left)

The walk cost a entrance fee of 2,5 Euros but its worth it We had a wonderful view from the top over Caherciveen Valentia Island and Knightstown the Blaskets and our Cottage at Dohilla as well as the two stone forts and

Ballycarbery Castle below.There are benches on the top were we sit and had a snack.

Back at the car park we drove down and right to the car park of the Ring Forts  to which we walked from there.

Returning to the car park we drove to the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle which we only were allowed to see from far and take some pictures.

Afterwards we had lunch in the Bar of the Skellig Star Hotel in Caherciveen which was very good.

 

Next day we decided to walk to the Valentia Lighthouse which was 2 km from our cottage.

After we payed entrance fee 4 Euro each we climbed the lighthouse tower and had a cup of tea in the tearoom then returned to our cottage.

In the afternoon we walked the Geokaun Mountain on Valentia Island Highly recommended when sun is shining.

 

On Wednesday we hired Kerry Experience tours for a day to do the "undiscovered" part of the Ring of Kerry 

we saw the inner Iveragh Peninsula with the Ballagasheen Pass, the Ballaghbeama Gap ,Lough Brin and the Black Valley and much more on a great day out.

Another recommendation of Kerry Experience Tours from me.

 

Thursday we did the Skellig Ring on our own via Portmagee ,the Finains Bay with the Chocolate Factory ,Cill Raillaig and Ballinskelligs Beach

which was another wonderful day out.

 

Friday we drove to Waterville and Caherdaniel with Derrynane House.

Seeing the house was very interesting and we spent some time on Derrynane Beach.

On Saturday we left our house on Valentia Island and went to Kells Bay House and Garden were we stayed in the Garden suite for one night.

We had a delicious dinner in the Thai restaurant at Kells House and a hearty breakfast on sunday morning before we drove to the pub with the runway :o)

to fly back home to Germany.

 

Another wonderful week in Ireland and many things to remember

 

(attached a view from our Holiday Home on Valentia Island)

 

 



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Itallian Chauffeur


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Sounds like a perfect week!  Thanks for sharing. 

I envy your close proximity to Ireland -- It's a minimum of 11 hours (and typically, a 14 - 15 hour ) for us here in Florida.  hmm  hmm 



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Michele Erdvig


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Thanks for sharing your Irish holiday with us. Seems like a nice relaxing time. How was your rental house? It looks nice online.

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Schalker


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Yes it was a relaxing week in the southwest of Ireland.

The house had three bedrooms 2 ensuite and one seperate bathroom openplan kitchen living room with great views over to the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands as well as Beginish Island and Cromwell Point Lighthouse on the Valentia Harbour.

Its opposite to the little carpark of the Tetrapod tracks on Valentia. Near the Valentia Coast Guard Radio station.
and only a short drive from Knightstown

The area Caherciveen-Waterville-Valentia Island has so much to offer that we could not go to all places and attractions.

btw Iveragh Historical Tours is a good option for first time visitors of the triangle Caherciveen-Waterville-Valentia Island



We surely will go there again it was perfect.



-- Edited by Schalker on Friday 18th of May 2018 04:53:34 AM

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stewh


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Thank you for the informative report. We visited Valentia Island for the first time a few years ago - great area. Your report reminds me that it is time to return to Ireland.

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chaika


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Thanks for the report. If all goes well, we will be going to the area this fall on our nineth trip to Erin.



-- Edited by chaika on Sunday 23rd of February 2020 10:06:05 AM

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OliverM


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Geat information, thanks unfortunately this year its difficulty to travelling or we need to be very careful while travelling

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bdokeefe


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Schalker- Great report, sounds like you've mapped out that portion of the country pretty well!

I really liked your links...the stuff you learn. I had never heard of Frankfurt-Hahn airport. I did look up their flights, and even in Covid times, they have a flight to Sibiu, Romania, that might be helpful someday.

We lived in Wurzburg, Germany for 4 years in the 80's, and did a Moselle river cruise 2 years back. We loved it, and want to return to spend more time in the small towns like Bernkastel.

I was able to use the ships bike and tour along both the Moselle and Rhine. The bike trail network is first rate, with great signage and dedicated lanes. You can peddle as far as you want along the river, and take the regional train back to where you started. It allows you to see so much more. We were there the first 2 weeks of November, got super lucky with weather, the vineyards with the yellow leaves were gorgeous. So many cool small towns.

So, the region was already marked for a return, and learning about Frankfurt-Hahn means that in good times I can combine with a return to Transylvania.

Between that and learning about Valentia Island, you've potentially helped me with two future trips.

Thanks again, trip reports are timeless, also thanks to those who bumped this up.

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