Kerry

Kerry, a county in the province of Munster, Ireland, occupying an area of 1,810 square miles, in the extreme S.W., being bounded W- by the Atlantic, N. by the estuary of the Shannon, S. and E. by Cork and Limerick. The coast is broken by the bays of Tralee, Brandon, Kenmare, Dingle, ana Ballynaskelligs, and dotted with islands, among which is Valentia, the starting point of some of the Atlantic cables. The surface to the S.W. is very mountainous and picturesque, Cairn Tual, the highest point in Ireland, attaining 3,404 feet. Further N. the soil in the valleys is rich, and, though the moist climate is unfavourable to cereals, other produce is abundant. Almost everywhere the rich pasture supports herds of the famous Kerry cattle. Lakes are an interesting feature of the county, and those of Killarney draw by their beauty crowds of tourists. Loughs Cara, Kittane, and Currane are also worth notice. The Blackwater is the chief river, but there are many others, such as the Ruaughty, the Laune, the Flesk, the Inny, and the Feale. Minerals are but partially worked, and coal occurs in thin seams only. Flags and slates are exported in some quantities. Fishing gives employment to a large number of the coast population.