Overview
Derrycunnihy Church sits on a small rise above the Upper Lake, just off the N71 Kenmare road about 12 km south of Killarney town, on the final stretch of the Ring of Kerry between Moll’s Gap and Killarney. It’s a modest 19th-century chapel, but the reason most people stop is what’s around it: the church is the trailhead for quiet walks through oak woodland to a river cascade and on toward Lord Brandon’s Cottage, all within Killarney National Park.
Be honest with your expectations. The chapel itself is small and you may find it locked; the cascade after a spell of rain is the real draw. If you only have half an hour, walk down to the falls and back.
The chapel
The chapel was built in the late nineteenth century (the NIAH dates it 1880–1900) to serve the Derrycunnihy townland, and it’s listed as a structure of Regional importance (NIAH Ref 21308401). By 2019 it was in poor condition and rated at high risk of loss. That was reversed the following year: in 2020 a €260,000 conservation project by Built Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service stabilised the building, re-slated it, added rainwater protection and put up information panels.
One reason for the careful work is its tenants. The church is home to a colony of protected lesser horseshoe bats, one of Ireland’s rarest mammals – which is part of why it matters that the roof is sound again.
Walking routes and trails
The church is a waypoint on the Kerry Way, where the long-distance trail meets the Old Kenmare Road. From here the path runs through oak woodland toward Lord Brandon’s Cottage, about 4 km away, and on to the Gap of Dunloe.
| From | Destination | Distance | Terrain & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church car park | The Bridge | 0 km | Watch for cyclists crossing the N71 |
| Church car park | Falls | 1 km | Rough underfoot in places |
| Church car park | Cascade | 1.5 km | Riverbank walk, slippery when wet |
| N71 Lay-by | Falls / Cascade | 1 km | Flat, suitable for families and bikes |
| Church car park | Lord Brandon’s Cottage | 4 km | Mixed surfaces, uneven in sections, prone to winter flooding |
Cyclists can use the Old Kenmare Road, but should expect compacted gravel on the main trail and rougher, occasionally muddy ground on the side-track to the cascade.
What to see along the trail
- The bridge, cascade and falls – three distinct river features within a kilometre of the chapel. The bridge sits directly opposite the car park; a rough track leads south to the Falls (about 1 km) and the more impressive Cascade (about 1.5 km). Water volume is highest after rain, when the cascade throws a fine mist over the boulders.
- The old lodge clearing – near the lower falls is a sheltered clearing where an 1860s hunting lodge once stood. No trace of the building survives today, but it makes a good spot for a quiet break.
- Wildlife and views – the riverbank is a regular drinking place for red deer, and white-tailed sea eagles have been sighted in the area, around the nearby Eagle’s Rest viewpoint. Summer brings midges to the oak woods; autumn turns the valley russet and gold.
Practical information
Access and parking – reachable by car via the N71. There’s a small car park directly opposite the chapel and a lay-by about 1 km north on the same road; the lay-by is flatter and tends to suit cyclists and families. The car park is small and fills quickly on dry weekends, so aim for midweek or arrive before 10am.
Facilities – none at the chapel or the lay-by. A seasonal coffee kiosk operates near Lord Brandon’s Cottage in summer, but carry your own water and snacks if you’re heading further.
Dogs – this is a working national-park trail; check the current Kerry Way guidance on dogs before you set out.
Safety and navigation – uneven stone steps, loose slate and riverbank rocks all turn slippery when wet, and the bridge crossing near the chapel is narrow, so watch for cyclists. OSi Discovery sheet 78 covers the area in detail.
Best time to visit – after rain, for the cascade. Early morning or late afternoon light brings out the texture of the stone and keeps the summer midges down. In winter, check conditions first: the lower section toward Lord Brandon’s Cottage floods after heavy rain and snowmelt.