van wyk journeys My travel and photographic blog
Molls Gap Moll’s Gap or Céim an Daimh (meaning, Gap of the Ox),[1] is a mountain pass on the N71 road from Kenmare to Killarney in Kerry, Ireland. Moll’s Gap is on the Ring of Kerry route,[2] and offers views of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, and is a popular tourist location.[3] The rocks at Moll’s gap are formed of Old Red Sandstone, which are small quartz grains laid down over 350 million years ago; …
Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. Though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446.[4] The Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. Credit Wikipedia® Photo credit William van Wyk 2022® Charles Fort Charles Fort (Irish: Dún Chathail) is …
Cobh The village, on the island, was known as “Ballyvoloon”, a transliteration of the Irish “Baile Ui-Mhaoileoin” (en: “O’Malone’s place”),[2] while the Royal Navy port, established in the 1750’s, became known as “The Cove of Cork” or “Cove”. The combined conurbation was renamed to “Queenstown”, in 1849, during a visit by Queen Victoria. The name was changed …
According to local legends, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil’s Bit, a mountain 20 miles (30 km) north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock’s landing in Cashel.[1] Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century. The Rock of Cashel …