Watch former Wexford Camogie Player and RTE analyst Ursula Jacob discover two coastal trails in Co. Kerry on Series 11 of Ireland's Tracks & Trails. Throughout the series, well-known presenters explore trails throughout Ireland, representing what is best about the wild and natural landscapes of this magical place, immersing themselves in the beautiful scenery, stories and characters of these tracks and trails of Ireland.
Follow the Greenway
Starting in Tralee with a bird's eye view of the trail ahead, Ursula sets off along the old ship's canal on a trail that is long but easy under foot and takes her along the coastline and greenway all the way to Fenit. With a stop at Blennerville lighthouse to hear about its history and its connection to Tralee bay, Ursula then heads out towards Fenit in shadow of the Slieve Mish mountains. Joined on a section of the new greenway by Kerry footballing legend Kieran Donaghy the pair discuss life after competitive sport and what is so special about this part of Kerry. Once Ursula reaches the harbour at Fenit she joins John Edwards who runs a local sea adventure business for a boat trip out to Fenit Lighthouse accompanied by a very special group of local celebrities who swim along beside them.
The Kerry Way & Derrynane
Heading south towards Waterville for her next walk along the rolling Kerry coastline where land and sea collide, Ursula settles in for a hike which even though is only 10km long, takes in sections of 3 routes, an Old Butter route, The Kerry Way and the Derrynane Mass Loop. With the rugged Atlantic coastline spread out before her, Ursula walks a section of the trail in the company of Eileen Daly, a volunteer member of the Kerry Mountain Rescue, who also organises the famous Kerry Way Ultra Race. After a walk together down the mountain in the typically changing Irish weather, Ursula then continues down on her own in the direction of Derrynane. Here she stops off at the home of Daniel O'Connell for a tour around the gardens of his beloved home with foreman James O’Shea, before meeting local poet Dr Paddy Bushe to hear the story of a recently uncovered path which has lain hidden in the grounds of Derrynane. This path has been rediscovered through the words of a poem written in 1832 by Ellen, a daughter of O'Connell’s.
Ursula then heads towards a waterfall in the grounds of Derrynane which was another favourite place of O’Connell’s. As she completes her trip to Kerry, she takes Paddy’s words with her, ‘it is possible to dig down through those centuries and through the land itself and find the walk.‘
Watch on YouTube
Tracks and Trails S11 Ep4 (Kerry) is available on Youtube.
YouTube links are provided below.
Produced by Videos on the Net for RTE Television.
