Lough Currane

After passing through Caherdaniel, southwest of which extends the Derrynane National Historic Park, the N70 climbs to the Coomakista Gap (690ft/210m), from which there are magnificent views, and runs down to Ballinskelligs Bay. To the right, in a beautiful setting, lies Lough Currane. On Church Island in this freshwater lough are a destroyed 12th century church (National Monument) with a Romanesque doorway, remains of monks' dwellings and a number of gravestones with Christian symbols. From a narrow road which follows the south side of Lough Currane can be seen the ruins of a castle which has been engulfed by the lough. On the west side of the lough are the horseshoe-shaped stone fort of Beenbane and the ruins of a thick-walled beehive