Actually only a small photo stop, but something special, because here at the Coomakesta Pass, only a few kilometers after Waterville, you have perhaps the best view on the whole Kerry Way. On the approach up to the pass it's "eyes right" because here you catch a glimpse of the two islands of Skellig Michael. One of only two World Heritage Sites in Ireland, here was probably the most famous, but also the most remote monastery on the island. The modern man knows the beehive huts and the steep stairs at a good 200 meters as the hiding place of the lonely (ud snapped) Luke Skywalker.
Now back to Com an Chiste, where the rugged outer coast of the Iveragh Peninsula is literally at your feet. One looks over the offshore islands of Scarriff and Abbey, the port of Derryname, across to the southern "finger" of the Beara Peninsula. The Kerry Way meanders parallel to the main road, sometimes above, sometimes below. Gen Waterville is the Loher ring fort, which dates back to the 9th century and has been reconstructed in recent years.
A display board informs the visitor that this is said to be one of the best stargazing spots on earth. In fact, one can imagine that the light pollution is minimal out here.
A memorial stone honors Colonel Patrick Quinlan, who was from nearby Caherdaniel. He performed the miracle depicted in the film "The Siege of Jadotville" of surviving the aforementioned 1961 Congo UN Mission siege without losing a life of A Company. The capitulation of his unit overshadowed his military achievements - unfortunately he did not receive recognition until 9 years after his death in 1997.
I did not photograph the Madonne statue, which, thanks to the large number of visitors and tour buses, was difficult to photograph. With that we would also be on the dark side of the place and the whole Ring of Kerry, the flow of visitors. You can only escape them if you go out on your own and stop by either in the morning or in the evening when the mainstream is not yet or no longer on the streets.