History abounds in Caherdaniel. Located 2.5km west of the main N70 road, Derrynane National Historic Park (heritageireland.ie; adult/child €5/3), open mid-March to October, was the home of Maurice "Hunting Cap" O'Connell, a notorious local smuggler who grew rich on trade with France and Spain. His nephew Daniel O'Connell, the 19th-century campaigner for Catholic emancipation, grew up here in his uncle's care and inherited the property in 1825 when it became his private retreat. The house is furnished with O'Connell memorabilia, including the impressive triumphal chariot in which he lapped Dublin after his release from prison.
The surrounding gardens, warmed by the Gulf Stream, nurture subtropical species including 4m-high tree ferns, gunnera (giant rhubarb). A network of walking trails leads through the woods; kids will love tracking down "fairy houses" hidden among the trees on the fairy trail.
Just south of the house is beautiful Derrynane Beach; from the car park, you can walk 1km along the beach to explore Abbey Island and its picturesque cemetery. Look inside the ruined chapel to find the tomb of Daniel O'Connell's wife, Mary.
