Islands of Ireland: Fires, storms, and tragedy at Kerry's Burnt Island

One group of Americans stranded on the island signalled for help using a handkerchief and a lady's garter attached to a long piece of wood

Burnt Island, County Kerry has seen fires, storms and drownings 

Burnt Island may be so named due to the fires that occasionally ravage the national park at Killarney, County Kerry, such as the devastating one two years ago. It is situated on the western side of Lough Leane with just one other island there, Stag Island. It is just west of Ross Island but is hard to pick out against the backdrop of Tomies Wood. Moving towards Dinish Island and the entry to Muckross Lake, there is the curiosity of Derby’s Garden, which looks like it may once have been an island but now is just a group of trees whose roots are submerged.

This part of Lough Leane feels remote from the rest but on the kayak over from Ross Island a loud rushing sound can be heard to reconnect all the senses. This is O’Sullivan’s Cascade which crashes through the woods and plunges into the lake with a sometimes deafening roar.