Discover Derrynane returns to Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to announce that the family festival ‘Discover Derrynane’ returns this weekend to celebrate the rich natural and cultural heritage of Derrynane and the surrounding community of South Kerry. The festival, which has been curated, programmed and funded by the OPW since 2014, has an action-packed programme of free activities, walks, talks and tours for all ages.

Many of the activity providers are based locally and topics include everything from marine life and children’s activities to poetry, art, wildlife and heritage walks, talks and tours, for all the family. There are wide variety of activities ranging from a Nature Treasure Hunt with UCC Live Project Knowledge Gatherers, Sunset Yoga with Louise Weinzweig, Wild Plant Medicine Walk with Niall Hogan and Paddleboarding & Kayaking with Helen Wilson to name but a few. For a full list of activities, go to the Heritage Ireland website.

In 2023 we are delighted to include some Irish language activities in conjunction with Brí Uíbh Ráthaigh, the South Kerry Language Plan. No bookings are required for these events but we would advise all attendees to arrive in time.

The festival runs from the afternoon of Friday 9 June to Sunday 11 June and is a wonderful opportunity to ‘Discover Derrynane’ and its special landscape and culture.

Speaking ahead of the launch on Friday, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, said:

>“The Discover Derrynane Weekend is a great opportunity for all the family to visit and learn about this truly unique environment through the wondering events taking place. There is a packed programme of events, offering many opportunities to explore the location’s rich heritage, culture, it’s biodiversity and marine life, so I would like to encourage all to come and explore all that is offer over the weekend.”

Most of Daniel O’Connell’s historic demesne at Derrynane now forms Derrynane National Historic Park and is under the management of the Heritage Services section of the OPW. The 300 hectares of lands are rich in natural and cultural heritage and include beautiful gardens, extensive coastline and beaches, natural oak woodland and archaeological sites.

For further information, photographs and interview opportunities, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

Photography from the launch will be available from Valerie O’Sullivan at valerieosullivanf8@gmail.com

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Discover Derrynane Weekend – full details on the free activities and events, including guided walks, workshops and family activities are available on Discover Derrynane 2023

Derrynane House and National Historic Park

Derrynane House, located 3.5km from Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry, is the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell and the house is now a museum dedicated to the life of Daniel O'Connell and his great achievements. Derrynane was transferred to the State in 1964 and most of the old demesne of Derrynane is now included in Derrynane National Historic Park, an area of approximately 120 hectares under the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Derrynane National Historic Park, which is on Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way route has 1.5km of shoreline with sand dunes and beaches, including a Blue Flag beach. There are a variety of trails throughout the grounds, including a section of the Kerry Way, a Mass Path and a seashore nature trail.

Information on fees and opening times are available on the Heritage Ireland website.