Peach near the beach at delightful Derrynane

IT’S downhill all the way to the sea beneath at Derrynanebeg, one of the best scenic perches bar none on the Ring of Kerry.

A family with long links to this Kerry beauty spot built the holiday home Petra House back in 1999, knowing full well the privileged vantage point it has, hovering over the landscape, national park, cove and beaches. There are views from here across to Lamb’s Head, the ocean and to the Beara peninsula, by Eyeries and Allihies, beyond.

There’s a walkway down to the shore and a ‘smuggler’s path’ leads along the water’s edge to the adjacent Bonavella harbour, while Derrynane harbour itself and its pier caters for a range of water sports and rentals. Pristine beaches here have Blue Flag status, the Liberator Daniel O’Connell’s historic house is in OPW care and open to the public with a tea shop, and Caherdaniel village back the way has shop, restaurant and bar options.