Introducing Ring Peninsula
Rugged and unspoiled, An Rinn (meaning ‘the headland’) is one of Ireland’s most famous Gaeltacht areas. The drive to Helvick Head takes you to the end of the peninsula, with views of the Comeragh Mountains, Dungarvan Bay, and the Copper Coast drifting away to the northeast.
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Follow signs to An Rinn then Cé Heilbhic, passing Ballynagaul (‘village of strangers’; it was founded by fishermen from elsewhere).
At the small working harbour in Helvick Head is a monument to the crew of Erin’s Hope. They brought guns from New York in 1867, intending to start a Fenian uprising, but were arrested when they landed here. Sitting on rocks right over the water below, the intriguing house with round towers and a walled garden was on the market for €3 million at the time of research.
Coláiste na Rinne (46128; www.anrinn.com), the prestigious 100-year-old Irish-language college just off the Helvick Head road, runs summer language courses for 10- to 19-year-olds.
Ex-Waterford Crystal worker Eamonn Terry returned home to set up his own workshop, Criostal na Rinne (46174; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri), where you can buy glassy items or have them inscribed.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
