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46. The Three Sisters, Sybil Head and Sybil Point walk near Ballyferriter (Baile an Fheirtéaraigh), Dingle Peninsular, Co. Kerry The pictures illustrate this walk from Paddy Dillon's "Irish coastal Walks" This is one of the best coastal walks we have ever done in the West of Ireland.
You can park near the promontory fort of Dún an Óir (OS 347 070) and initially go north up the narrow road to Smerwick Village.
Go through Smerwick village (Ard na Caithne) heading north-west along a track which eventually opens out overlooking Smerwick Harbour and beyond to Ballydavid Head (Ceann Bhaile Dháith) on the left distance, and the Mount Brandon and Brandon Peak mountain range (Cnoc Bréanainn and Barr an Ghearáin), often in cloud, on the right.
From now on you simply follow the coastal 'edge', in our case, in a big anti-clockwise sweep of the Three Sisters, passing a small isolated sheep fold.
A motorised 'traditional' boat speeds by in Smerwick Harbour.
Looking south-west along the coastal hills, with two more Sisters and Sybil Head to go ...
... and only a few sheep for company on this glorious coastal walk.
Looking back north-east towards Mount Brandon in cloud.
Looking east across Smerwick Harbour (Cuan Ard na Caithne)
Looking north-east to the 'Sisters'
Spot the promontory fort just north of the end of Wine Strand Beach! Its just below dead centre of picture above a white house!
Telephoto shot of promontory fort of Dun an Oir (OS 347 070), an easily defended site, high above the sea which surrounds it on three sides and it is accessed via a narrow strip which is seen as a U dip on the far right of the picture.
A coastal life-rescue boat passes by.
Looking south-west to Sybil Head and Sybil Point.
Looking east over Smerwick village, across Smerwick Harbour to Mount Brandon (Barr an Ghearain) on the left and Wine Strand beach on the right.
The heather copes ok with the Atlantic weather, just!
The Three Sisters viewed from Sybil Head.
Wonderful angled rock formations tilted by great tectonic forces!
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An Irish navel boat passes below Sybil Head (a fishery protection vessel I assume?)
Wild flowers, like the heather, can survive the fierce Atlantic ocean weather.
The remains of a fort (Túr Comhartha) cum lookout station above Sybil Point.
Looking south to the beach and the few houses at Ferriters Cove on the far right and Smerwick Harbour on the left.
Looking north-east from the old fort (Tur Comhartha).
The Three Sisters, Brandon Mountain range, Smerwick Harbour, Wine Strand Beach.
Looking south from Sybil Point to the hill of Cruah Mhάrthain (left) Clogher Head (right) and Mount Eagle (distant left of centre)
A pause for photograph before returning to Ballyferriter (Baile an Fheirtearaigh).
Back at the holiday cottage in Ballyferriter (see page 39 for more details on Ballyferriter village and also cafes-pubs-holiday cottage), sunset over Sybil Point. previous page <-> next page
* Updated July 20th 2008 * EMAIL Phil Brown * images-pictures of Ireland © Phil Brown docspics 2008 |
