Doonshean or Doonsheane (Irish: Dún Síon or Dún Séann)[1] is a townland in western County Kerry in Ireland. It is located about 3.8 km east from the neighbouring town of Dingle.

Sea stacks at Doonsheane Head
Doonsheane promontory fort

The area gets its name from the nearby Doonmore fort, with dún (fort) transliterated to doon, and síon deriving from the word síneadh meaning a stretch of land. The promontory fort is accessible by walking through the fields. There are also a number of other ring forts, enclosures and related archaeological sites in the area.[2]

Dún Síon's beach has views of the village Kinnard in the neighbouring parish of Lispole. The Siorrach, meaning "foal", is a sea stack which can be seen from the beach and is said to resemble a foal. The Trá Bheag, meaning "small beach", runs along the beach until it meets the sea.[citation needed]

Notable people edit

The sports commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was born in Dún Síon, and wrote a book titled From Dún Síon to Croke Park.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Dún Séann / Doonsheane". logainm.ie. Irish Placenames Commission. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  2. ^ "County Kerry" (PDF). Record of Monuments and Places as Established under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. National Monuments and Historic Properties Service. 1997. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Dún Síon native and legendary GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh announces his retirement". The Dingle News. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.

52°7′36″N 10°13′36″W / 52.12667°N 10.22667°W / 52.12667; -10.22667