On my last full day in Ireland, I was able to get out to Church Island on Lough Currane in Waterville, CO Kerry. The site is home to a Monk Monastery, believed to have been founded in the 6th century by St. Finan Cam. The church is believed to be from the 12th century.

To get to the island, I meet up with Tom O’Shea from Waterville, CO Kerry for a quick boat ride to the island. I originally planned to spend a good portion of the day on the island but the weather took a turn and was pretty wet. I still got to enjoy some time on the Island and other than a few sheep and Tom hanging out in the boat while I took pics, I had the place to myself.

If your in Waterville, be sure to look Tom up for a boat ride to Church Island. www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com

Headstones around the church.

Exterior of the church. The window is aligned with the Winter Solstice.

Entry way to the church.

Inside.

Comparisons of the symbols suggest that the stones were made in the 11th and 12th century’s.

The church.

Three beehive huts can be found at the other end of the island from the church.

Inside the most intact beehive hut (though the roof was gone).

View of the church from the boat.

Tom and I back on land. He kindly waited in the rain for an hour while I explored the site and took pics.

After Church Island, I headed over to Cahersiveen to check out Ballycarberry Castle. The current ruins of the castle were built in the 16th century. I had been wanting to get back to this spot as I found out that some of the stones on the inside had old inscriptions. Sadly the castle has since been close of to the public and I could only view it from a distance. Last time I visited the site was on x-mas day in 2006. Back then it was still open and you could still get up to the third floor of the castle.

Some exterior pics of Ballycarberry Castle.

Here is a pic from x-mas day in 2006. Just to give an idea of what the interior looks like.