Knightstown and Cahersiveen

Valentia Island isn't that big. It only took me 15 minutes to drive down its spine to reach the small town of Knightstown at the eastern tip. You can glimpse the ferry pier in the background.

However before I took the regular ferry, I decided to break for coffee and cake. In a local cafe I heard the Irish tendency to flatten syllables, errm becoming emmm. In fact I noticed similarities between east coast US accents and the Irish accent.

Seagulls in Ireland were larger than the ones in Sydney. closer to turkeys than chickens. Maybe they need more strength in the strong winds.

Little green car waiting to board.

Finally I boarded too. Looking towards the main island.

Looking back at Valentia.

I arrived at my B&B for the night, called Cul Draiochta, meaning magic nook, as the owner was interested in Gaelic history. It was very easy to find, just after the junction of the main N70 and the spur road to the ferry. It was very comfortable.

I drove into the town of Cahersiveen, looking for a dinner place. Nothing looked suitable.

Apparently this Catholic church is the only one named after a layperson, Daniel O'Connell, an Irish patriot. Among other things he started the National Bank of Ireland that wouldn't discriminate against Catholics, which the then Bank of Ireland did.

So I decided to take the suggestion of the B&B host of the seafood bar at the ferry landing. I drove back on the spur road and parked here.

It was fairly buzzing, being Friday evening. Prices were a bit steep, but I didn't want a full meal so I opted for crab salad and a glass of white. It was very tasty and even had slivers of shell in the meat that the worker had missed. I know, it's painstaking work.

And with this I closed off a picturesque and very satisfactory day of touring.

Portmagee

Many a time during my driving tour, I suspected Google Maps of using me as a guinea pig to test out country roads. Distances aren't large in rural Ireland, the density of the villages makes it look like you're covering a lot of territory on the map, but actually you have only driven a few km.

I didn't skirt the coast in reaching Portmagee, so I was taken through some narrower than usual regional roads. The bridge to Valentia Island is part of R565.

There used to be a ferry here until the bridge was built in 1970. The other end of the island is however still connected to the main island by a ferry which we will view soon. I'm on the bridge looking back where I came from.

Tours to the previously mentioned Skellig Islands start from this port.

There is history connected with Irish uprisings commemorated in plaques and signs here.

With the bridge as background. The bridge is named after a IRA Kerryman who was executed in 1942.

A memento of when a ferry operated here.

There was nothing in the town to tarry me, so after using the toilets I crossed the channel. Here are a couple of panoramas before leaving.