We made one brief stop on our return to Kenmare at Derrynane House. No one would call it an elegant structure, but it is of historical importance to Ireland. Derrynane House was the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, a prominent Irish political leader in the 19th century, best known for his campaign to secure Catholic emancipation and improve the rights of Catholics in Ireland through peaceful means.
I have little to show other than the exterior photo above. By the time we arrived, the house was about to close. I offer a view of O’Connell’s private chapel and an underpass in the attractive private gardens.
Weary from our long day of sightseeing, chocolate-tasting, and driving, we devoted our remaining day in Kenmare to looking around town. Intermittent heavy rain put a literal as well as figurative damper on the range of our explorations.
“September weather should be much better,” everyone told us. “We”re from Seattle,” we replied.
On the day we left town to head to the Aran Isles, we had the opportunity to drive the Kenmare-Killarney section of the Ring of Kerry. Its an interesting drive over the mountains, through the Killarney National Park, and past Muckross House and Farms.
You can do a lot of walking in the park. Some spend one or more days touring Muckross House, its gardens, and the three model farms from different eras. We did not as we had a long drive ahead to Rossaveal.
Remember: when your’re tired of seeing sights and the rain is pouring, there’s always a pub serving Irish Coffee.
I’m still trying to get over your noon NA Guinness. Maybe you haven’t heard of Karma?
Much appreciated tour, during these rare few days (so far!) of clouds and rain in Portland!
watching your progress today from a quilt cocoon in a comfortable chair. No Guinness (yet!)
Thanks for nourishing this “arm-chair Traveler”! MEB
Love that design between the arches in the church.