Caherciveen
Caherciveen, also called Cathair Saidhthin in Irish Gaelic or Cahersiveen, is a small town on the north shore of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Southwest Ireland.
Get in
The community is located on the N70 highway approximately 60 kilometres from Killarney on the Ring of Kerry. Bus Eireann [1] provides two buses daily between Caherciveen and Killarney from September to May and three buses from June - September. From Killarney you can continue to all destinations in Ireland through continued service with Bus Eirann or with Irish Rail [2].
The nearest airport is Kerry Airport (Fáilte Go hAerfort Chiarraí in Irish), approximately 65 kilometres. Bus Eireann route 14 picks passengers up at the airport before continuing to Killarney where you can switch buses to Caherciveen. Kerry Airport is serviced by Ryan Air and Aer Arann/Aer Lingus Regional.
Get around
This is a one road town, so once you arrive, you can walk everywhere.
See
There are a couple of sites in the immediate area worth visiting:
- Cahergall and Leacanabuaile stone forts are within sight of the Castle. One of them has been completely restored, with wide walls to walk on and even small chambers inside the dry-stone walls.
- Ballycarbery Castle. is along the road heading to the northwest from town. It is long abandoned and there isn't that much left. However, there are still intact stairways and a large chamber partially underneath the hill. It's well worth seeing, if only to climb around it. It is approximately 3 kilometres from Caherciveen town site to Ballycarbery Castle.
- The Old Barracks. Another unusual building of interest in Cahersiveen is the old Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks. The old barracks now a heritage centre, was designed and constructed between 1869 and 1871. According to various old stories the barracks was built from the plans for another British barracks in India, which got mixed up.
- Daniel O'Connel Memorial Church, Church Street. In the centre of Cahersiveen you will find the Daniel o’ Connel memorial church. Built between 1888 – 1902 this church is the most dominant feature/landmark in the town. It is one of the few catholic churches in the world dedicated to a lay person (Daniel O’ Connel) . It is constructed of Northern Irish granite (Co. Down) and built in a combination of gothic revivalist and medieval style architecture. The laying of a marble slab which serves as the cornerstone took place in 1888. This marble block is very special as it was a gift from Pope Leo XIII sourced from the catacombs in Rome.
Do
- Caherciveen is close to Portmagee, the main starting point for a trip to Skellig Michael.
Buy
- Joeys Fast Food. Excellent service and excellent food.
Drink
Caherciveen is home to numerous pubs, all along Main Street.
- The Townhouse Lounge, Main St.
- O'Driscol, Main St.
- Bowlers, Main St.
- Shebeen, Main St.
- Mike Murts, Main St.
- The UN Bar, Main St.
- Kerry Coast Inn, 8 Church St.
- Kelly's Bar, Church St.
- King of Beers, Main St.
- Fertha Bar, Main St.
- Harp Bar, Main St.
- Cráineen's Bar, Main St.
- Anchor Bar, Main St.
- Keating, Main St.
- O'Shea Bar, Main St.
- An Bannan Bui, Main St.
- Tom's Tavern, Main St.
- la dolce vita (Italian restaurant), Church St, ☏ +353 66 947-0011.
Sleep
- Sive Hostel, 15 East End (At the far east end of the only major street through the town), ☏ +353 66 947-2717. This small town, independent hostel is a pleasant place to stop for a night. There are several pubs within staggering distance worth checking out and the atmosphere is friendly and sociable. €11.
- Mannix Point Camping and Caravan Park, ☏ +353 66 947-2806. Cahirciveen, Ring of Kerry Coast Road,Co. Kerry, a beautiful campsite situated directly at the seashore.
- Kerry Coast Inn, 8 Church St (above Frank's Pub on the main street), ☏ +353 66 947-2217. The price includes a full Irish breakfast. €35-70.