Geography Kilflynn

the basic bedrock of north kerry centred on kilflynn. bedrock contours adapted geological survey of ireland 1:1 000 000 scale map, 2003



more detailed bedrock, sheet 162 (tralee) centred on kilflynn, 1:63 620 scale geological survey of ireland map of 1883, surveyed frederick j. foot; key adapted original.

immediately north , west bedrock limestone (later sourced nearby lixnaw , abbeydorney use in lime kilns). these rocks, part of western irish namurian basin (or clare basin) formed in sub-equatorial tropical environment, due deposition of fine particles in delta, river flow south-west on continental mass formed north america, eastern europe, western europe , africa. area part of iapetus suture, region ancient iapetus ocean closed up. atlantic ocean had yet form.

the area subject glaciation during ice ages. glacial meltwater evidence coincides area south , east of kilflynn , n26 road, broadly in line edge of hills facing north-west. ice sheet covered ireland split 19,000 years ago, along corridor included area kilflynn lies , going down past banna strand (the sea level lower then) towards atlantic. main ice sheet retreated northwards, separated kerry-cork ice cap south disappeared approximately 1000 years later.

kilflynn centre 59m above sea-level, village elevation between 45 , 70m. latitude , longitude 52.3505 , -9.6253 respectively (52° 21 2 n, 9° 37 31 w). of west of ireland, weather of area affected north atlantic drift , prevailing south-westerly winds. being 10 km inland , beyond hills south-west, kilflynn sheltered extremes of wind speed , precipitation experienced largely in south , west of county kerry. average yearly rainfall 1278mm wettest months between october , january. average high/low summer , winter temperatures 19 °c/12 °c , 9 °c/4 °c respectively. agriculture , horticulture, last spring air frost typically in late march or april, 5 6 weeks later coastal areas (on exposed land). still favourable compared areas further inland. agricultural land surrounding village regarded , unspoilt.

surface spring water used until late 1970s drinking in surrounding areas. regional bedrock aquifers purposes of drinking water regarded locally important , moderately productive, used there no water main connection. in limestone areas north, aquifers regionally important. river shannow, runs through kilflynn, emanates hills south-west of n69 tooreen stacks mountain townlands , tributary of river brick, in turn joins river feale, entering atlantic south of ballybunion. until 1980s, there eels , fish such brown trout found in river @ least far waterfall (where n69 crosses), birdlife such various types of finch, dippers , locally called cranes (grey herons, caught , eaten historically). since then, river life has been affected pollution.

kerry county council, expects modest increase in population, has made plans updated local water treatment, improvements pedestrians , cyclists, , supporting repopulation associated services, commenting on kilflynn choice commuters [into tralee , listowel] while impressing need retain peaceful character.