Cahirciveen

The N70 north from Waterville has a road branching off on the left to Portmagee. 1mi/2km from Portmagee is Cahirciveen, at the foot of Bentee Mountain (1,227ft/374m). From here boats sail (in good weather) to the celebrated Skellig Islands, which rear out of the water, 9mi/14km out to sea, like the peaks of sunken mountains. Facing Cahirciveen across the broad Valentia River can be seen the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle. To the northeast of the castle, reached on a side road which leaves the N70 on the left, are two good stone ring-forts - Cahergall (National Monument), 105ft/32m in diameter, with two stone structures within the walls; and, commandingly situated on a hill, Leacanabuaile (ninth century: National Monument), with staircases, chambers in the thickness of the walls and underground rooms. The N70 continues northeast from Cahurciveen up the wide valley of Kells. On the left rises Knockadober (2,230ft/680m), on the right a range of peaks of much the same height. Between them are fine views of the sea and the hills. The road then keeps close to the foot of Drung Hill, running high above the sea at some points, passes an old coaching inn, with magnificent views of Dingle Bay and the hills of the Dingle Peninsula, and descends to Glenbeigh.