White coves
Turquoise water.
dconvertini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Holger Uwe Schmitt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 4.0
Derrynane Beach is a string of sheltered sandy coves on Derrynane Bay on the Iveragh Peninsula, near the village of Caherdaniel on the Ring of Kerry, about 22 km in a straight line south of Cahersiveen. Derrynane means «the oak wood of Fíonán». The area has a long history: a stone tomb here may date from around 3000 BC, copper was mined from about 2000 BC, and Saint Fíonán founded a monastery in the 6th century. In the 18th century Derrynane harbour became a thriving centre of trade with France and Spain, and beside the beach stands Derrynane House, home of Daniel O'Connell, within a 1.3 square kilometre national historic park. Coves of white sand curve around clear turquoise water between dark rocks and grassy dunes, small islands dot the bay, and boats moor in front of green fields divided by stone walls. At low tide you can walk across to Abbey Island, where the ruins of the old Derrynane Abbey stand. The beach is free. Currents are strong in places, so swim only in marked areas, and check tide times before walking to Abbey Island, as the way floods.
Turquoise water.
Abbey ruins.
Stone walls.
Near Caherdaniel, Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Only at low tide; check the times.
Only in marked areas.