Tony O’Callaghan has spent many years exploring the length of the Kerry coastline by sea and land, uncovering hidden treasures, listening to local lore, meeting colourful personalities and seeking out the stories behind ancient monuments and historical buildings. He displays an intimate knowledge of the unique challenges facing coastal communities and a deep insight into contemporary life. The Kerry Coast combines this knowledge of both past and present in a thought-provoking and reflective narrative
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Just as Tony has sensitively captured the spirit and determination of local people in his prose, some characters and the beauty of the seascape and landscape have been portrayed in exquisite pen and ink sketches by local coastal artists Alma O’Donogue, Jack Bates and Kevin Frost. The finely-drawn and detailed maps by Tadhg MacGillicuddy allow the reader to trace Tony’s journey ‘ar imeall an domhain’.
Throughout his peregrination, Tony has drawn on the wisdom of local historian and archaeologist Mícheál Ó Coileáin and Gaeilgeóir Éamonn Mac Muiris, where their breadth of knowledge of history, culture and the Irish language further enriches The Kerry Coast.
This is not a guide book per se but rather a perceptive observer’s interpretation of places, people and events that have influenced and are impacting on this enigmatic coastline, helping to make Kerry what it is – indefinable.