Kerry

Kerry, a maritime county in the south-west of Ireland, in the province of Munster, is bounded on the N. by the estuary of the Shannon, and on the W. by the Atlantic Ocean. Area, 1,185,918 statute acres, or 1853 sq. m. There are under crops about 170,000 acres, and of these 93,000 are laid down as permanent pasture, some 30,000 are planted with potatoes, and 25,000 sown with oats. One-fourth of the area is barren mountain-land, and more than 11 per cent. bog and marsh. Maximum length, north to south, 67 miles; maximum width, 55 miles. Its coast-line is about 220 miles in length; is fringed with islands, of which the chief are Valentia (pop. 2920), the Blasquets, and the Skelligs; and is deeply indented by Kenmare, Dingle, and Tralee Bays. Between these and the smaller bays are extensions of the mountain-system which stretches westward from the county of Waterford. The principal group is Macgillivuddy's Reeks, the chief summit of which, Carran Tual, 3414 feet, is the highest in Ireland. The rivers are short and of little consequence. The county contains numerous lakes, some of them, especially the Lakes of Killarney (q.v.), of exquisite beauty. The climate is mild, but moist, especially on the coast. The soil rests on slate and sandstone, with limestone. Iron, copper, and lead ores abound, but are not much worked. Slate and flagstone are quarried in Valentia. The manufactures are inconsiderable; oats and butter are the chief exports. The fisheries on the coast employ nearly 2000 men and boys. Since 1885 Kerry returns four members to the House of Commons. Pop. (1841) 293,880; (1871) 196,014; (1881) 201,039; (1891) 179,136, nearly all Roman Catholics. The county is rich in ancient ruins, including the remains of Muckross Abbey and Innisfallen.