KERRY is the name of a maritimc county of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It is situated on the south-west coast, and is bounded on the north by the Shannon, by which it is separated from the county of Clare ; on the east, by the counties of Limerick and Cork ; on the south-east by Cork ; and on the south-west and west by the Atlantic Ocean. In consequence of two great projecting tongues of land, comprehending the baronies of Iveragh and Corcaguinny, the shape of the county is very irregular. Its extent, from north to south, is 67-1. English miles ; its greatest breadth, from east to west, is 52 ; and it contains 1793 square English miles. This county is covered with mountains, in the midst of which are the celebrated lakes of Killarney, (see KILLARNEY) ; and a great portion of it is thus rendered unfit for habitation, and incapable of being cultivated. The northern baronies, which contain much good land, are by no means level ; and the cultivated fields and fine pastures are often interruped by black and stoney hills, and occasionally by tracts of bog. The barony of Corcaguinny is the most western point of Europe. It is of a peninsular form, and is full of mountains, of which the high promontory of St. Brandon is the most conspicuous. The barony of Iveragh consists of a chain of rough moun tains running into the sea ; but it abounds with magnificent prospects, connected with the view of the ocean and Ken mare river. Glarerought is covered with very high and rugged hills, and is separated from the county of Cork by a ridge of rocky mountains, which is passable only at the Priest's Leap. The highest mountains in the county
are those on the west and south of Kilkenny. The heiglIt of as determined by Mr. Kirwan.
Kerry is watered with several fine rivers. The Cash ing, formed by the Feele and the Gale, is navigable for eight or ten miles. The Lane flows out of the lake of Killarney, which receives the Flesk. The Roughy runs into Kenmare river. The Mang, which is navigable to Castlemain, runs into Castlemain harbour at Dingle bay, which only admits vessels of moderate burden. The roads of Dingle and Valentia, Ventry bay, and Ballynaskeligs bay, are small but convenient harbours. Kenmare river forms a secure haven. The chief towns of this county, are 'I'ralee, where the assizes arc held, Killarney, Milltown, and Dingle.
Kerry returns two members to parliament ; and the prin cipal influence belongs to Lord Kenmare. The Dingle mountains, which are dry and healthy, are very populous ; but the district between Killarney and Bantry is very thinly peopled. The population of Kerry, in 1797, according to Dr. Beaufort, was 19,395 houses, or 107,000 inhabitants— the Catholics amounting to 105,663, and the Protestants to 1337. The population has, however, greatly increased. See Smith's History of Kerry ; Beaufort's Memoirs of a Map of Ireland ; and Wakefield's diccount of Ireland.