the lee valley drive

The River Lee, is the subject of the song that is regarded as Cork's anthem. For the Lee drive, leave the city by the "straight Road" to Carrigrohnae and cross the river to its northern bank. Approaching Macroom you'll see on your left the striking ruin of Carrigadrohid Castle on its island site, which you can approach by a quaint old bridge.

Of the two roads westward out of Macroom, one goes to Killarney via a fine route over the Derrynasagart Mountains. The landscape gradually becomes more dramatic. Ballymakeera and Ballyvourney are twin villages sharing an area of mountain and forest scenery. Between them a narrow bridge to the left leads to the Shrine of Saint Gobnait, the local saint.

From Ballyvourney our road (signposted Kilgarvan and Kenmare) heads up into the hills to Coolea, a little village which, through being the home of the late Sean O'Riada, played an important part in the revival of Irish music. Continue the high road till you come to a fork, high up on the moorland.

The road ahead goes over the pass to Kilgarvan in Kerry, with what is claimed to be the highest pub in Ireland just out of sight.