Kerry

County Kerry lies in southwestern Ireland, with Atlantic coastline on its south, west, and north borders and mountainous sandstone ridges inland, including the highest peaks in Ireland. Measuring some 1815 square miles in area, it has four large peninsulas jutting out into the Atlantic. It was ruled by the O'Briens of North Munster and the MacCarthys of South Munster from 1127 to the 13th century, when the clan Fitzgerald invaded. In 1586 it became part of the English plantation area of Munster and remained largely in British hands until the land reform acts of the 19th and 20th centuries. Gaelic is still spoken on the Blasket Islands and Dingle peninsula. Winters are mild and crops are cultivated year round, mainly potatoes and oats. Sheep and cattle are the main cash resource and can be pastured year round. Other economic activities include footwear manufacture, bacon curing, engineering, trade, and tourism. The 2003 estimated population was 133,500.