Artistic vision

Ruins on Deenish Island, off Derrynane, Co Kerry. The island was once owned by Daniel O’Connell of Derrynane House. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

As the winding road sweeps around one of the most spectacular roads in the country, if not Europe, a spectacular bay studded with islands reveals itself below the pass of Coomakista, Co Kerry, at the end of the Iveragh Peninsula. Two-headed Island and Moylaun lie at the entrance to Derrynane Bay and off the point of Lamb’s Head at the entrance to Kenmare River. These two islands are uninhabited and always were.

At the shore lies Abbey Island, and a bit beyond, surrounded by reeds, the former mansion home of Daniel O’Connell, Derrynane House, from where he ran his election campaigns and campaigned for Catholic emancipation.