O’Connell burial upholds family traditions

IT was a funeral with a rich historical resonance, but few local people would have taken much notice of the procession of mourners along a beautiful, wind-blown sea shore in south Kerry.

In accordance with time-honoured tradition — they have to ensure the tide is out — the coffin was shouldered across a beach to Derrynane Abbey island cemetery where generations of local families lie at rest.

Yesterday’s funeral, however, had a family link with Daniel O’Connell, The Liberator, who lived in Derrynane House.