Paw paddling: Oscar O’Connor enjoying paddle boarding as Odie steals the show at the Discover Derrynane Festival. Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
Nice to meet you: Rose Bajwa (left) and Ella Collins enjoying meeting the resident miniature pony at the children’s pet display
Time for your bottle: Ethan Collins gets a chance to bottle feed a new calf
Kevin McInerney introducing one-year-old Timothy to the resident miniature pony
Time for cuddles:Sophie Turner snuggling into a little kitten, at the children’s pet display
Wait your turn: James Carroll,with Buddy his faithful companion and Odie trying to hop on board at Derrynane Sea Sports
Visitors enjoying the archeology of the 6th century monastery on Abbey Island, Derrynane Beach
Niamh Dennehy, James Carroll and Andi Kelleher with Buddy at Derrynane Sea Sports
Horticulturalist and head gardener at Derrynane National Historic James O’Shea, identifying the rare Kerry Lily and Arbutus plant along the shore line, at the Discover Derrynane Festival
John Fitzgerald of Atlantic Seaweed Tours presenting a workshop on Derrynane beach
Katie Morrisroe, Head of National Historic Properties at the OPW, Paddy Bushe, Éigse Festival, Chris O’Neill, Chris O’Neill, OPW Parks Superintendent, Derrynane House and Gardens and Vincent Hyland, WIld Derrynane check out the local landscape
All human life was there – and there was no shortage of four legged-friends either – as families made the most of the favourable weather to flock to Discover Derrynane – a weekend festival that celebrates the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area and the surrounding community of South Kerry.
Paw paddling: Oscar O’Connor enjoying paddle boarding as Odie steals the show at the Discover Derrynane Festival. Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
The festival, curated, programmed and funded by the OPW, had an action-packed programme of free activities, walks, talks and tours for all ages.
Many of the activity providers were based locally and topics included everything from marine life and children’s activities to poetry, art, wildlife and heritage walk.
Irish language activities were included too in conjunction with Brí Uíbh Ráthaigh, the South Kerry Language Plan.
Most of Daniel O’Connell’s historic demesne now forms Derrynane National Historic Park and is under the management of the Heritage Services section of the OPW.
The 300 hectares of lands are rich in natural and cultural heritage and include beautiful gardens, extensive coastline and beaches, natural oak woodland and archaeological sites.
KillarneyToday.com: Where Killarney gets its news. Email: news@killarneytoday.com or Call 087-2229761
KillarneyToday.com: Where Killarney gets its news. Email: news@killarneytoday.com or Call 087-2229761
