Day 11 Cycling the 32 counties of Ireland - KERRY
🚴🏾♂️ The Black Paddy Rolls into Kerry: Peaks, Puffins & Pure Kingdom Craic
What’s the story, Kerry?!
It’s your boy Fabu D, aka The Black Paddy, pedaling into the Kingdom with Guinness Zero in my bottle cage and a heart full of gratitude. I’m cycling across Ireland to raise awareness for Jigsaw, the charity helping young people mind their mental health—and Kerry? You’ve got mountains, magic, and more legends than a pub on storytelling night.
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🧠 A Word on Jigsaw
Before we dive into the madness, let’s take a moment. Jigsaw is doing powerful work—giving young people across Ireland a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to get the support they need. Mental health isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s raw, and it affects all of us.
This cycle isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about showing up for those who feel unseen. If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. There’s help, there’s hope, and there’s healing.
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🏞️ First Impressions: Kerry’s Kingdom Swagger
I rolled into Kerry with the wind in my helmet and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks towering over me like ancient guardians. First stop? Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s tallest mountain at 1,038 metres. I didn’t climb it (I’m not mad), but I did stare at it long enough to feel spiritually upgraded.
Then I hit the Ring of Kerry, a scenic loop so stunning it should come with a warning: “May cause spontaneous poetry.” Every bend brought a new view—lakes, valleys, sheep with attitude. Kerry’s got drama, and I was loving every second.
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😂 Funny Kerry Facts (Because You Know I Love the Banter)
Alright, here’s some mad stuff I learned:
- Kerry is home to Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, and the second and third highest too. Basically, it’s the Himalayas of Ireland.
- The Puck Fair in Killorglin crowns a goat as king every August. I asked a local why. He said, “Why not?”
- Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was home to monks in beehive huts—and later, Jedi knights in Star Wars. Spiritual and cinematic.
- The Dark Sky Reserve in Kerry is one of the best places in the world to stargaze. I looked up and saw more stars than followers on TikTok.
- Charlie Chaplin used to holiday in Waterville. He loved it so much, they built a statue of him. I took a selfie with it. He didn’t blink.
- Valentia Island was the site of the first transatlantic telegraph cable. So technically, Kerry invented long-distance texting.
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🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health Moments: Kerry’s Healing Energy
Kerry has a rhythm. It doesn’t rush—it breathes. I sat by Lough Leane, sipping my Guinness Zero, watching the water ripple like it was whispering secrets. That’s the kind of peace Jigsaw wants every young person to find.
If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not broken. You’re human. And there’s help.
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🗣️ Chatting with Kerry Legends
You know me—I can’t resist a good chat. I met a man named Seán who swears he once saw a UFO over Dingle. I asked what it looked like. He said, “Like a tractor with ambition.”
I met a woman who runs a pottery studio and makes mugs shaped like puffins. I bought one. It’s now my official tea vessel.
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🚴🏾♂️ Cycling Through Kerry’s Soul
The roads here are wild, winding, and full of wonder. I passed through Kenmare, Sneem, and Cahersiveen, where every corner felt like a postcard. I even spotted a dolphin off the coast—no joke. Kerry’s got marine magic too.
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🛏️ Kerry Hospitality: A Random B&B with Kingdom Kindness
I stayed in a lovely little B&B tucked into the hills. The kind of place where the tea’s strong, the welcome’s stronger, and the host gives you directions with a side of folklore. I asked how to get to Skellig Michael and got a full itinerary, a weather forecast, and a story about their cousin who once met Mark Hamill in a chipper.
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💚 Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs
Kerry, you’ve been majestic. From mountain peaks to puffin colonies, you’ve given me laughs, lessons, and a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s wild soul.
To everyone who waved, cheered, or shouted “Go on ya legend!”—thank you. To the goat who’s probably still wearing a crown—respect. To the county itself—keep reigning.
And to Jigsaw, the reason behind every mile: thank you for being the light in someone’s dark. You’re changing lives, one conversation at a time.
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💚 Thanks for coming along on the ride!
If you’d like to support the cause, here’s the link:
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/blackpaddytour
Until next time,
Stay strong, stay smiling, and mind your mental health.
— Fabu D, The Black Paddy
