Just back from a trip to Co. Kerry and while the Reeks provided good hill walking my over-riding impression was one of over development, over commercialisation and over pricing. The locals are very eager to take our money at the many craft shops, cafes and attractions that litter the highways every couple of hundred metres, they are not so keen to allow access to the hills with fences and signs everywhere. It seems to me that their tourist model relies on people driving around in theirs cars which is hardly environmentally friendly. So I certainly wouldn’t recommend Co. Kerry for a hill walking holiday.

Been a while since I last walked in the Reeks. I've never come across restrictions like this but things change. I avoid Killarney like the plague. Represents everything that is wrong with Ireland, but there is so much left elsewhere. The Reeks ridge walk is one of the best mountain days I have had, on a beautiful, almost cloudless day and I had the whole thing almost to myself.

Your experience matches my trip 10-15 years ago. I'd never go back. Pretty to look at but you mustn't touch