* The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's most beloved of landscapes

* This multidisciplinary exploration will make anyone's visit to the Ring even more magical



The Iveragh Peninsula, often referred to as the "Ring of Kerry", is one of Ireland's most dramatic and beautiful landscapes. This cultural atlas, comprising over fifty individual chapters and case studies, provides the reader with a broad range of perspectives on the peninsula and the human interactions with it since prehistoric times to the present day.



Although not a conventional atlas, it contains many historic and newly commissioned maps. The opening chapters explore the physical and environmental setting of the peninsula. Subsequent chapters deal with is development over the millennia and the influences that have shaped it. All aspects of Iveragh's past and present are considered, using the evidence of disciplines such as archaeology, art history, cartography, folklore, geography, geology, history, mythology and zoology.



Given its status as a peninsula projecting into the Atlantic, the history and culture of the Iveragh Peninsula have been molded by external influences as well as by regional and national ones. Its story is multi-layered, involving the imprint of mythological as well as historic settlers and invaders. The peninsula has witnessed significant periods of transition, perhaps none more so than in the present era. This book seeks to deepen and illuminate our understanding of its landscape, history and heritage.