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ICONS OF KERRY
Discover the meanings behind each of the symbols on The Kingdom Ring.
These 10 icons tell the incredible stories of Kerry's mystical past and stunning present. The Round Tower
Dating from the early mediaeval period, stone round towers were used as bell towers and places of refuge in times of need. The Rattoo Round Tower is one of only 13 remaining intact in Ireland, and is considered one of the finest examples of these precious archaeological monuments.
The Irish Harp
Ireland is world-renowned for beautiful traditional music, and the Irish harp symbol represents that tradition in the Kingdom of Kerry. The earliest Irish literature, folklore and traditions include the harp, and the symbol now lives on in pockets all over Europe, as the harp symbol is used as the Irish representation on the Euro currency.
The Irish Wolfhound
Giants among dogs as their owners in mythology were gods among men, the Irish wolfhound is believed to be the eldest of Irish dog breeds. The mythical Irish warrior, Cu Chulainn, known for travelling the Kerry Way, was never parted from his wolfhound until a fateful battle with the Irish hero, Setanta, led to the dog’s demise.
The Kingdom Crown
The origins of the expression ‘Kerry the Kingdom’ date back to 65AD. The original name derived from the Gaelic, Ciar-raighe - Kingdom of Ciar. Ciar was the chieftain of the O’Connor clan who took possession of a tract of land that covered most of what is now Kerry. Kerry is commonly referred to as the ‘Kingdom’, and as locals will tell you: there are only two kingdoms; the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry.
Concentric Cirlces
Concentric circles traced in stone are found in abundance in Kerry, and typify a type of art practised in the region since the time of the Bronze Age. The purpose of such art is mysterious but can be found at places of great significance, such as decorations on passage tombs, standing stones and on the capstones of megalithic tombs.
The Irish Red Deer
The largest wild Irish mammal, the native red deer, is believed to have come to Ireland 10,000 years ago. Killarney National Park provides the main breeding grounds for them, the largest deer species in Ireland.
The Kerry population of red deer is genetically unique and a hugely important species.
Proud, strong and noble, the images of a red deer stag are often used to represent Ireland; they were a key symbol on the 'Punt', the largest Irish coin before the Euro.
St. Brendan's Boat
The Patron Saint of Kerry, Brendan the Navigator, was famed for spreading the Christian message. He founded monasteries throughout Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Brittany in Northern France. His most legendary adventure was to the Isle of the Blessed: he set sail for 7 years across the Atlantic Ocean with 60 pilgrims in Currach boats, searching for the Garden of Eden and encountering dangers such as fierce sea monsters.
Skellig Michael
Now a famous World Heritage site, Skellig Michael is one of two towering sea crags off the west coast of the Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry, which rise majestically from the Atlantic Ocean. Skellig Michael was home to one of the earliest monastic settlements in Ireland, dating back to the 6th Century AD. Inaccessible in rough weather, the island is subject to fierce storms, and so the monks endured difficult lives. Their only shelter came from small stone-built beehive huts, which still remain on the island today.
The Killarney Fern
A very rare fern species, the Trichomanes Speciosum - commonly known as the Killarney Fern – has over half its known population located in the Kerry region. There is great secrecy surrounding the exact locations of this species in Ireland due to historic over-collection, to the point of extinction, in many regions.
The Celtic Cross
Originally the symbol St Patrick used to help Irish pagans convert to Christianity by combining the sun and the cross, nowadays the Celtic cross is most recognised as the key symbol of the Gaelic games: hurling and football. Kerry have been the most successful team in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, topping the list of counties for number of total wins. An incredibly popular pastime for the Irish is following the national games every summer and it is a rare September that Kerry are not represented at the finals at the national stadium, Croke Park, in Dublin.
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