Day 8: The Wild Atlantic Way to Killarney

Ireland's beautiful south-west, five great peninsulas – Dingle, Iveragh, Beara, Sheep's Head and Mizen – stretch miles out into the ocean.

Breathtaking views unfold at every turn. This morning I continued north on the Wild Atlantic Way and it was wild and WET!

Unfortunately, I was unable to capture many coastal photos because of the weather.

I've completed Mizen, Sheep's Head, and Beara. The Rings of Beara, Sheep's Head, and Mizen are ring roads with a lot less traffic than the well known and highly visited Ring of Kerry, which I may or may not do tomorrow. So far, I have stayed clear, by design and by accident, of areas with crowds and tour buses. Most of the roads I have traveled thus far are so narrow that they are not suitable for buses or camper vans. My small car barely squeezed through some areas of road. In fact, so far, I don't even recall seeing a tour bus since I passed through Cork City three days ago.

There's a distinctly edge-of-the-world and sureal feel to these Southern Peninsulas.

Nestling between high hills and large lakes, the Town of Killarney is located in the southern part of County Kerry. It’s a stop on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. The landscape is nothing short of spectacular and comes with a stunning and scenic drive to the town. I was forewarned that this is an area of Ireland where you must heed all tips for driving and be alert at all times.

In addition to having gorgeous outdoor spaces, Killarney is a sweet Irish town full of pubs and stores selling local handicrafts. However, the car and bus traffic right now is very heavy and too much for my tastes.

If you are to have a heart attack on the street, Killarney would be a good place to do it! I have never seen cardiac defibrillator booths throughout a town or city quite like in Killarney.

I have been pleased with the abundance of quality Vegan food throughout Ireland so far. Including my vegan all homemade nachos in a Killarney Irish vegan pub!

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty (1898 – 1963)

In Rome during World War II, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty organized an escape organization for Allied POW’s and civilians. When the Allies entered Rome he and his colleagues had saved over 6,500 lives.

Hugh O’Flaherty, a Kerryman, was awarded the highest honors, including a Commander of the British Empire, the Congressional

Medal of Freedom and was the first Irishman named Notary of the Holy Office.

He retired to Cahersiveen for the last three years of his life and in 1963 he passed away. His death was mourned throughout the world, including a personal tribute in the New York Times.

In Ireland however up to now his work has largely gone unrecognized although people have a recollection of his work through the 1983 Gregory Peck Film “The Scarlet & The Black” and more recently through a published biography “The Vatican Pimpernel” by Brian Fleming.

This Permanent Memorial was unveiled in October 2013. I love it!