All Things Kerry

by John Van den Bergh in collaboration with Hugh Jordan and Judith Bruno
Copyright © 2003 Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation

When we hear the word "Kerry" we immediately think of our beloved dog breed. However, some Irish folks may think of different things.

Cows
Potatoes
Sheep
Lilly
Pony
Slug

Cigarettes
Irish Pub Band
Mikasa plate pattern
Martha Stewart Living paint collor
Martha Stewart Living Carpet

When a farmer in County Kerry is talking about "his Kerries" he is not talking about his dogs but his cows. The Kerry cow is a medium size, dark brown bovine, with short legs to handle the steep hills of County Kerry.

Some people eat Kerry Blues. In Ireland there are many varieties of blue potatoes. They look more purple than blue, but they are a distict variety. They are sometimes called "Purple Chief" or Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kerry.

There is a breed of sheep whose owners tell the same story about a sheep swimming ashore after a ship sank of the cost of England at the time of the Spanish armada (rings any bells?) This was on an Irish television program and reported by Hugh Jordan. More about Kerry Hill Sheep.

Hugh Jordan also reports: "You may be interested to know of a flower that grows in Kerry called The Kerry Lilly (simethis planifolia). The only place in Ireland that this plant grows is in the Ring of Kerry. This plant also grows in Spain, France and Italy. They think that it came across on wine casks that were smuggled ashore along the Kerry coast. (or maybe it came ashore with a Spanish dog)."

The Kerry Pony is a distinct breed of pony. It became almost extinct in 1994. That was also the year the breed was certified as a distinct breed. A herd is building up in County Kerry. More info on the Kerry Bog Pony.

Hugh also has reports of a Kerry Slug, but no details are available. (If you have some information, please let me know.)

Hugh Jordan informs us that for a short time in Ireland there was also a variety of cigarettes called Kerry Blues.

A carton of Kerries

Judith Bruno reports that in the seventies, "The Kerrry Blues" was an Irish pop band.

Click here for photos from the seventies: Photo 1, Photo 2.

They continued to play until 2003.

Last Dance
The Kerry Blues Playing their last gig after a 37 year career
Seated: From left Johnny Wall and Alfie Curtin
Standing: From left John Curtin,Brendan Curtin and Bernie O'Connor
The newspaper cutting came from the Kerry Eye Newspaper, and they played their last gig in the
Gleneagles Hotel, Killarney on the 10th January , 2003.

Judith Bruno reports that Mikasa has a pattern called Kerry Blue, but it is not a dog.

Martha Stewart Living paint collection at Home Depot has a collor called "Kerry Blue Terrier". Judith Bruno provided the information and sample color.

Martha Stewart Living 8 oz. Kerry Blue Terrier Interior Paint Tester #MSL161
Model # MSL161 Internet # 202097957

Martha Stewart Living Beekman Kerry Blue Terrier

Kery Blue Carpet -

Martha Stewart Living Beekman Kerry Blue Terrier 6 in. x 9 in.
Take Home Sample
Model # 849161 Internet # 202506567