At the southern tip of the Iveragh Peninsula is Derrynane House, the family home of Daniel O’Connell. The demesne landscape is now included in Derrynane National Historic Park with over 120 ha of lands rich in natural and cultural heritage with a plethora of archaeological, horticultural, botanical and ecological treasures all in the ownership of the State and managed by the OPW. Under the direct influence of the moist, warm climate gifted by the North Atlantic Drift, Derrynane supports a significant number of threatened and near threatened flora and fauna.
The various meadows contain abundant flowering plant species and are orchid-rich. Bee Orchids are especially frequent in some years. The areas of wet grassland include Common Knapweed, Yellow Iris and Meadowsweet. Of note is the Kerry Lily, present at a few optimal locations and protected under the Flora (Protection) Order, 2022. The wider grassland habitats also support important populations of the endangered Natterjack Toad, which is protected under the Irish Wildlife Act, and is also listed on Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive. The grassland management programme at Derrynane is an action under the OPW Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022-2026.
