Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula (; anglicised as Corkaguiny, the name of the corresponding barony) is the northernmost of the major peninsulas in County Kerry. It ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe. Name. The Dingle Peninsula is named after the town of Dingle. The peninsula is also commonly called "Corca Dhuibhne" (Corcu Duibne) even when those referring to it are speaking in English. "Corca Dhuibhne", which means "seed or tribe of Duibhne" (a Goddess, a Gaelic clan name), takes its name from the "túath" (people, nation) of "Corco Dhuibhne" who  occupied the peninsula in the Middle Ages and who also held a number of territories in the south and east of County Kerry. Geography. The peninsula exists because of the band of sandstone rock that forms the Slieve Mish mountain range at the neck of the peninsula, in the east, and the Brandon Group of mountains, and the Mountains of the Central Dingle Peninsula further to the west. Ireland's highest mountain outside MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Mount Brandon at 951 m, forms part of a high ridge with views over the peninsula and North Kerry. Conor Pass, which runs from  Dingle on the south-western end of the peninsula towards Brandon Bay and Castlegregory in the north-east, is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, a narrow, twisting road; it weaves its way around the sharp cliff faces and past the high corrie lakes. The Blasket Islands lie off the west coast. They are known for the literary and linguistic heritage of the former inhabitants. However, these remote islands have been uninhabited since the 1950s following an evacuation. Culture and language. The western end of the peninsula is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) that has produced a number of nationally  notable authors and poets; Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha and Peig Sayers among others. This is the westernmost part of Ireland, and the village of "Dún Chaoin" is often jokingly referred to as "the next parish to America." Archaeology. The peninsula is the location of numerous prehistoric and early medieval remains including: Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, situated in the village of Baile an Fheirtéaraigh (Ballyferriter) has exhibitions detailing the archaeology and history of the peninsula. Some of the exhibitions include Ogham stones, artefacts from the excavations at the nearby monastic site of Riasc (Reask) and objects on loan from the National Museum of  Ireland. In April 2021, Irish archaeologists from the National Monuments Service and Ireland's National Museum announced the discovery of an untouched Bronze Age grave, skeletal remains, fragments of human bone and a large semicircular slab in the underground passageway. Archaeologist Mr Ó Coileáin reported: “"We think this may have been a ritual site with an element of burial in it and this could be one of those. This looks like it is a chambered tomb from the prehistoric period which might have been a significant marker on the landscape"". Places of interest. The peninsula is known for the MV  Ranga, a Spanish cargo vessel that wrecked on the coast in 1982. Gallaunmore is a standing stone and National Monument. Rahinnane Castle is a 15th-century castle built on a medieval ringfort. In film. David Lean's 1970 film "Ryan's Daughter" takes place at a village on the Dingle Peninsula in the immediate aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising, and was partly shot on location near Dún Chaoin, Coumeenole Beach, Slea Head and Inch Strand. "Far and Away", a 1992 film directed by Ron Howard, was partly filmed on the peninsula. The film "Leap Year" is partly set in  the Dingle Peninsula, but none of the filming took place in the area. Several local areas were used for filming of including Dunmore Head and Slea Head where a replica of the Clochán huts of Skellig Michael were built. External links. Destination Ireland: Dingle. "Ireland's Homes Interiors & Living." No. 225. March 2014.