Valentia Island & Derrynane Trail 1

 

Gerry Murphy is a meteorologist and presents the weather forecast on television. A five and a half hour drive from Dublin and an hour and a half from Tralee, is the starting point for Gerry’s walk. Cahersiveen is a small but bustling town that sits in one of Kerry’s most scenic areas. Gerry knows this area well and lived here for six years. He is doing two walks over two days.

Presenter
Gerry Murphy

About
Gerry’s second walk is in Caherdaniel in Derrynane which is a 45 minute drive from Caherciveen. Derrynane is the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, one of Ireland’s most historic figures. The walk takes Gerry to Derrynane House, through the magnificent tropical gardens, along the beach nature trail and around the mass loop to finish at Abbey Island. The house is full of O’Connell’s artefacts and personal and family belongings. Chris O’Neill of the Office of Public Works guides Gerry through the exquisite gardens and Vincent Hyland shows Gerry some of the local fascinating seaside wildlife.

Grade
Moderate, the route is marked with Red arrows

Distance
9km

Estimated Time
3.5hrs

Terrain underfoot
Footpath and track

Total Height Climbed
130m

Highest Point
266m

Suitable for
Families with older children, walkers and groups.

Notes
Parking available. First Carpark at entrance go Derrynane National Park.