The South West:Layout 1 03/05/2007 17:01 Page 134
Celtic jewellery, pottery, tweeds, woollens and much more. Highly
Your HOME away from HOME
regarded for quality and value.
located at the Gateway to
VALENTIA ISLAND AND THE SKELLIGS
Just 500m off Kerry’s west coast and one mile off the Ring of Kerry,
the Kingdom of Kerry
Valentia Island is an unspoilt haven. Easily accessible by ferry at
Knightstown or via the bridge at Portmagee, it is a mere 11km long
and 3km wide. Arriving by ferry, the crossing takes a mere five
minutes and the Valentia Ferry runs a continuous shuttle service every
day from April to September. Breathe in the scenery and views of
Valentia Harbour and Knightstown with its famous landmark clock and
lifeboat station, Valentia lighthouse, the smaller Beginish and Church
Islands and the majestic Kerry Mountains. Watch the gannets dive and
the seals bob during your journey.
A great place to mooch, you’ll find much to interest you on the
island: Tetrapod Footprints at Dohilla are some 385 million years old,
an example of the world’s oldest and rarest fossilised footprints; the
Altazamuth, used to determine the earth’s latitude and longitude in
1862 in Knightstown; the megalithic tomb at Feighmane; beehive huts;
Ogham stones; and other evidence that Valentia has been inhabited
since pre-Christian times. You’ll find a place for quiet contemplation at
Distinctly Friendly ~ Truly Traditional ~ Uniquely Stylish
St. Brendan’s Well. Also visit the local Heritage Centre and learn about
Valentia’s rich history, its location as the terminus of the first
OAKPARK, TRALEE, CO.KERRY
transatlantic telegraph cable and its past inhabitants.
TEL: 066 7180444 FAX: 066 7180964
www.meadowlandshotel.com
The waters around Valentia are some of Ireland’s richest and provide
excellent diving locations. The island is also a great place for walking
and to enjoy Valentia’s abundant flora and fauna. Parts of this small
island enjoy a sub-tropical climate and the gardens at Glanleam,
Europe’s most westerly gardens, are home to sub-tropical plants from
Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Glanleam House, originally
built in 1775 as a linen factory by the Knights of Kerry now offers a
unique bed and breakfast experience.
Valentia was once home to some 3,000 inhabitants. The population
today is less than 650. In times gone by the slate mine provided
134 the south west
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