Islands of Ireland: Kenmare Bay — still called a river thanks to a lord who wanted to ensure fishing rights

This 'river island' is rocky and small but is a lovely spot for a picnic if you happen to be passing by on a boat

A visit to Daniel's Island on Kenmare River, County Kerry. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

Kenmare River has multiple islands scattered up and down its majestic coastline. A coastline on a river? Well yes, as this river is a bay but oddly it retains its name and definition on the Ordnance Survey maps from the time when Lord Lansdowne owned most of the land in the late 18th century and thus guaranteed fishing rights for himself on the ‘river’. It is a bit like referring to a mountain as a valley or a river as a lake.

Recently, we visited the Greenane Islands near Kenmare. Further out the peninsula beside the famous Parknasilla Estate is a cluster of wooded islands including another Garnish Island (one of four), and Illaunslea where the writer Peter Somerville Large spent some time. Further out again, at Whitestrand Beach is another cluster including the subject at hand, Daniel’s Island.