Caherdaniel, The Birth Place Of Daniel O’Connell

Caherdaniel is a small village on the attractive (a must to see) Derrynane Bay. The name is derived from “Caher” a fort near the roadside. the village is the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell, the great Liberator, and tourists from all over the world visit the village of Caherdaniel.

Some 2 miles east of Caherdaniel are the remains of Saint Crohane`s Hermitage, a curious little structure hewn from solid rock.

The jewel in the crown of this part of the Iveragh Peninsula is Derrynane Bay. St Fionan founded a monastery there but there is no trace of a monastery now.

Derrynane harbour became a thriving centre for trading with Spain and France. There are stories of attempts of the customs men battling with the traders and smugglers run by the O’Connell’s and other dealers along the Kenmare River and along the coast to Portmagee

Wide sandy beaches stretch from the harbour for miles and the view from the road above is breath taking, an absolutely spiritual place to be at sunset.

Legend has it that “Bull Rock”, the nearest of the two rocks at the mouth of the estuary, is the entrance to the Kingdom of Donn, God Of The Dead. When the sun shines through a hole in the middle of the rock it becomes the golden gate to the next world.

Derrynane House is just 1.5 miles away, the home of Daniel O’Connell and is now a national monument with a collection of his personal possessions.

Caherdaniel is a stop-off on The Kerry Way you will have no bother finding some great b&b`s and plenty of “The Craic.”

Not far from Caherdaniel is Staigue Fort the finest example of a cashel, or stone fort, anywhere in Ireland. Set in a hill within a valley it is in the perfect defence location. The fort has survived some 2500 years and is still in perfect condition.

If you care for a bite to eat, a cooling pint, some Irish music and a bed for the night, you won’t go far wrong at The Derrynane Hotel. Give it a try; you will be glad you did.

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