Ruined churches of interest are at Aghadoe, Kilcrohane, Lough Currane, Derrynane and Muckross. Ardfert cathedral, founded probably in 1253, was partly destroyed during the Cromwellian wars, but was restored in 1831. The climate is very moist and unsuitable for the growth of cereals, but it is so mild even in winter that arbutus and other trees indigenous to warm climates grow in the open air, and several flowering plants are found which are unknown in England. In the northern parts the land is gen erally coarse and poor, except in the valleys, where a rich soil has been formed by rocky deposits. In the Old Red Sandstone valleys there are many very fertile regions, and some districts now covered by bog admit of easy reclamation. Dairy-farming is very largely followed. The Kerry breed of cattle—small black or red animals, with small upturned horns—are in considerable demand. Goats share with sheep the higher mountain pasture.
The linen trade in Kerry is now nearly extinct, the chief manu facture being that of coarse woollens and linens for home use.
At Killarney a variety of articles are made from the wood of the arbutus. A considerable trade in agricultural produce is carried on at Tralee, Dingle and Kenmare, and in slate and stone at Valencia. A copper mine was formerly worked at Muckross, near
Killarney, in which cobalt ores also occurred. The deep-sea and coast fisheries are prosperous; the centres of the two fishery dis tricts are Valencia and Dingle. Kenmare and Killarney are centres for salmon-fishing. There are chalybeate mineral springs near Kil larney, near Valencia island, and near the mouth of the Inny ; sulphurous chalybeate springs near Dingle, Castlemaine and Tralee ; and a saline spring at Magherybeg in Corkaguiney. Killarney is an inland tourist centre. Among the coast resorts are Derrynane, at the mouth of Kenmare bay, Glenbeigh on Dingle bay, Parknasilla on Kenmare bay, Waterville (an Atlantic tele graph station) between Ballinskellig bay and Lough Currane, and Tarbert, a small coast town on the Shannon estuary. The Great Southern railway traverses the centre of the county, touching Killarney, Tralee and Listowell. Branches are from Headford to Kenmare ; Farranf ore to Killorglin, Cahersiveen and Valencia harbour, Tralee to Fenit and to Castlegregory, and Tralee to Dingle. The only inland branch is from Tralee to Castle island. The county of Kerry returns seven members to Dail Eireann.