Cahersiveen is a small market town on the Iveragh Peninsular, which is on the south-west coast of County Kerry, half way around the scenic Ring of Kerry. The town is the main shopping and service centre for the peninsula, and has a small harbour on the River Fertha, and is built between the river and the lower slopes of Beentee Mountain. The town supports a population of 1272 (CSO 2002).
The magnificent scenery of the area, with its pastel colours, rolling hills and meandering river, has to be seen to be believed!! The area is a popular tourist destination, with the Ring of Kerry having the County Kerry’s most spectacular scenery. In addition to all this natural beauty, Cahersiveen is home to the Cahersiveen Heritage Centre, established in the beautiful old building that was once the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks, built 1869-1871. The centre contains a restaurant, craft workshops, audio-visual displays, archaeological exhibitions, and a tourist information counter. Although the town is only small, it still has its own Cathedral, the O’Connell Memorial Church, dedicated to Daniel O’Connell. A local man, and one of Ireland’s famous activists who championed Catholic emancipation, in the 19th century.
The town has several local sites of interest, with the best known being Leacanabuaile, an ancient ring fort only 5 kilometres north-west of town. There is always Ballycarbery Castle a 15th century tower house, or Carhan House, birth place of Daniel O’Connell, or the Abbey of the Holy Cross, where Daniel O’Connell is buried.
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