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Heritage

Valentia Island

Ireland

8 story sections

Valentia Island lies just off the south west coast of County Kerry and is one of Ireland's westernmost points. It combines fascinating history, beautiful scenery and an interesting cultural scene, making it a great place to visit on the Ring of Kerry.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    Welcome to Valentia Island, a place that occupies a unique position both geographically and historically. Situated off the Iveragh Peninsula, this island is roughly ten kilometers long and five kilometers wide. …

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  2. 2Knightstown — A Planned Colonial Vision

    Knightstown is a fascinating anomaly in the Irish landscape. It is Ireland's first purpose-built planned town, established under the direction of the Knights of Kerry in the early nineteenth century. …

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  3. 3The Cable Station — Connecting the Continents

    We stand now at a site of global significance. In 1865 and 1866, this very spot was the European terminus for the first successful Transatlantic Telegraph Cable. …

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  4. 4The Glanleam Estate — Subtropical Serenity

    Nestled in a sheltered cove is Glanleam House and Gardens, the former seat of the Knights of Kerry. What makes this site extraordinary is its microclimate. …

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  5. 5Bray Head — The Atlantic Sentinel

    For many, the walk to Bray Head is the highlight of a visit to Valentia. This rugged trail leads you to the westernmost tip of the island, where the land falls away into the churning Atlantic. …

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  6. 6The Foghera Cliffs — Nature's Architecture

    Continuing past the signal tower at Bray Head, the trail opens up to the spectacular Foghera Cliffs. These towering precipices are some of the most impressive in Kerry, yet they remain far less crowded than the famous Cliffs of…

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  7. 7Geoghegan's Path — The Abandoned Village

    As we loop back toward the center of the island, we pass through an area that holds a more somber history. This was the site of the first village on Valentia, known as Kilmore or Clean the Carton. …

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  8. 8Closing

    Our circuit of Valentia Island concludes where the modern world met the ancient sea. We have traveled from the fossilized traces of the first land animals to the wires that first linked the continents. …

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What is Valentia Island?

Valentia Island is a place in Ireland with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationIreland
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates51.9153, -10.3498
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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