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36
MUNSTER
tropical vegetation which can be produced
in this
climate palms, yuccas, New Zealand flax with its
sword-shaped fronds, bamboos, and the rest, "all
standing naked in the open air " like the heathen god-
desses in the Groves of Blarney. From Kenmare the
beautifully engineered road, which was a joy to man
and beast till heavy motor coaches began to destroy
it, runs along the north shore of the sea lough and
a few miles out crosses the Kerry Blackwater by the
most picturesque bridge over the loveliest stream that
anyone could ever hope to throw a fly in. A little
farther along is Parknasilla, the big
hotel which
has been built at a point where the coast breaks up
into a number of wooded islets, with bridges connect-
ing them, and meandering walks well, nothing could
be prettier. Then you go along through Sneem,
getting into opener, wilder country. As you approach
West Cove, Staigue Fort is on your right, a great
circular structure of dry masonry, more developed
than the similar buildings in Aran, for it has cham-
bers in the thickness of the wall and stairs leading
to platforms for defence. From this monument of
prehistoric times, whose date can be measured by
thousands of years, look across to your left, where
another stone building is in progress a large hospital
designed to benefit the poor folk of this district: the
bounty of a lady belonging to one of the families who