KERRY, a county of Ireland, in the province of
Munster, anciently called Carrig, or "the rocky
country," from Cerrig or Carrig, "a rock." It is
bounded by the Shannon which divides it from Clare
on the north, by Limerick and Cork on the east, by
another part of Cork on the south, and by the Atlantic
ocean on the west. The best town in it is Dingle, sit-
uated in a bay of the same name. It comprehends a
great part of the territory formerly called Desmond, and
consists of very different kinds of soil. The south parts
are plain and fertile, but the north full of high moun-
tains, which though remarkably wild, produce a great
number of natural curiosities. It contains 636,925 Irish
plantation acres, 84 parishes, 8 baronies, 3 boroughs;
returns 8 members to parliament, and gives title of earl
to the family of Fitzmaurice. It is about 57 miles
long, 45 broad, and lies within N. Lat. 51. 30. and
52. 24; the longitude at the mouth of Kenmare river
being 10° 35' west, or 42' 20" difference of time with
London. It is the fourth county as to extent in Ire-
land, and the second in this province; but in respect to
inhabitants and culture doth not equal many smaller
counties. In it there are two episcopal sees, which
have
Kersey have been annexed to the bishopric of Limerick since the year 1669, viz. Ardfeart and Aghadoe. The see of Ardfeart was anciently called the diocese of Kerry, and its bishops were named bishops of Kerry. Few mountains in Ireland can vie with those in this county for height; during the greater part of the year their sides are obscured by fogs, and it must be a very serene day when their tops appear. Iron ore is to be had in great plenty in most of the southern baronies. The principal rivers are the Blackwater, Feal, Galo, and Brick, Cailan, Mang, Lea, Fleik, Lawn, Carrin, Fartin, Inry, and Roughty; and the principal lake is Killarney. There are some good medicinal waters discovered in this county; particularly Killarney water, Iveragh Spa, Fellofwell, Dingle, Castlemaun, and Trallee Spas, as also a saline spring at Maherybeg. Some rare and useful plants grown in Kerry, of which Dr Smith gives a particular account in his history of that county.