Cromane (An Croman), meaning hip bone as it is shaped like one when looking at it on a map or from the top of a high mountain. Cromane is attractively situated eight kilometers west of Killorglin and six kilometers from Glenbeigh, having a population of approximately 600 people.

If you look at Cromane on the map you will see that it has its toes in the Atlantic and this will suggest that the main sources of natural wealth are its beauty and its fishing. Beautiful it is indeed, having a safe beach, the nearest one to Killarney. It is the only place in Kerry where a view can be had of the McGillicuddy Reeks and the Brandon range of mountains at the one time. Here are majestic rolling mountains laced with lakes and boglands. It is a rich and rare land with a wealth of interesting species. Two such interesting species are the Natterjack Toad and Brent Geese.

The Natterjack is a Western European species being particularly common in Spain and Southern France. In Ireland they are native only to a few parts of Co. Kerry. It is one of the Lusitanian species and it may be an immigrant from the end of the Ice Ages. The Natterjack is easily recognized by the yellow stripe along the centre of it's olive green, wart covered back. The toads live wherever there is suitable sand and water. In Cromane the toads can be found at Lough Gainimh Bhain and Dooks.

Brent Geese can also be sighted in this area from late autumn until early spring. On arrival in sutumn from Greenland, they congregate in large flocks in Cromane. At times over a thousand birds can be seen. Brent Geese are one of the smallest and darkest species of geese found in Ireland in Winter time. They are about the size of a Mallard duck. The head, neck and breasts are black with a white patch on each side of the neck, the back and wings are a dark grey and the under parts are a much lighter grey. Brent Geese are fully protected under the Wildlife Act of 1976, this means it is an offence to shoot or hurt them.

Cromane also boasts of its great diversity of flora and fauna for the keen botanist or just the curious visitor. This part of Kerry has a temperate climate with very little frost, being close to the sea. It also benefits from the Gulf Stream which crosses the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico. This explains the lush growth of a variety of plants and diversity of animals found. Wild flowers splash colour all over Cromane from the seashore to the bogland areas. Look out for the growth of rich continental Fuchsia, Montbretia and Whitethorn which form a profuse blend of colour in the ever changing hedgerows. The boglands also are a haven for a wide diversity of important plants. Many species are Lusitanian, most frequently associated with Spain and Portugal, such as the greater Butter worth. Plants to watch out for are the Water Lobelia, Quillwort, Black Bog Rush, Slender Rush, Yellow Bartsia, Bog Asphodel, Yellow Centaury and many orchids. On the seashore too, one cannot help noticing the beautiful Pink Sea Campion, Kidney Vetch, Bur Marigold, Sea Beet, Radish and many more. The salt marsh offers Grasswort, Sea Spurray, Sea Milkwort, Sea Pink, Sea Aster and Lavender. Marram grass and Sea Couch are very important as they develop sand-dunes. Many seaweeds, also, can be found in this area including Channeled Wrack, the Bladder and Serrated Wrack. The low water, Spring tide level is the best time to explore the seashore and look at the mussels, limpets, barnacles and periwinkles which can be found attached to rocks. It may not be easy to see the Cockles, Razor Shells and Lugworms though, as they enjoy staying in the sand. The sandmason, shore crabs, sea anemone and star fish one cannot help but notice.

Cromane, while traditionally relying on fishing and small farming for its existence has little industry, therefore no pollution. While salmon and trout have been fished for generations from Cromane, the principal harvest of the area in recent years has been mussels from what is the largest natural bed in Ireland, that of Castlemaine Harbour. The availability of fish explains the density of housing, on Cromane Spit to the northside in particular. During the famine in 1845 many families moved from other parts of Kerry to the area. Such was the increase in the population here and in other fishing areas, like the Maherees on the Dingle Peninsula, that they came under the control of the Congested Districts Board.

Cromane is a place where you can relax, take in the scenery, the flora and fauna, bird watching or just meet the people and have a friendly chat - the choice is yours!

Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work! (For more info visit www.cromane.net)