Derrynane Abbey facts for kids
The ruins of Derrynane Abbey
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
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| Other names | Ahamore Abbey |
| Site | |
| Location | County Kerry |
| Coordinates | 51°45′27″N 10°08′34″W / 51.75750°N 10.14278°W |
| Visible remains | church |
| Public access | yes |
Derrynane Abbey, also known as Ahamore Abbey (which means Mainistir Achaidh Mhóir in Irish), is a very old ruined abbey in Derrynane, County Kerry, Ireland. An abbey is a special building where monks or nuns used to live and pray. This abbey is located near the town of Caherdaniel. It is also very close to Derrynane House, which was the home of a famous Irish leader named Daniel O'Connell.
The abbey sits on an island called Abbey Island. You can reach this island from the mainland by walking across a beach. It is thought that Derrynane Abbey was first built a very long time ago, in the 6th century. That's over 1,400 years ago!
Contents
What Does Derrynane Abbey Look Like Today?
Today, Derrynane Abbey is mostly in ruins. This means that parts of the buildings have fallen down over time. Only three buildings are still standing, and they are connected to each other. None of them have roofs anymore.
Exploring the Main Church
The main church building is one of the three remaining parts. It is now covered in plants and grass, but it still holds many graves. Among these graves are those of Mary O'Connell, who was the wife of Daniel O'Connell. You can also find the grave of Tomás Rua Ó Suilleabháin, a well-known Irish poet from the 1700s.
The church has three arched windows that face the sea. Even though the rest of the building is ruined, these windows are still in good condition.
Other Abbey Buildings and Graveyard
The other two buildings of the abbey are also in ruins. They don't have many special features left, but they also contain graves. Outside the abbey, there is a graveyard. Here, you can see a tomb made of white tiles. Some of these tiles have chipped away over the years.
Gallery
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Derrynane Abbey
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Mary O'Connell's Grave
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White Tiled Tomb
