Killarney, Ireland is a small town located in the picturesque area of the “Emerald Island”. Here, high mountain passes are combined with bottomless lakes, and unique natural beauty competes with the creations of human hands.
Killarney City – General information
Killarney is a small town located in the south-west of Ireland in the county of Kerry. Its population is about 14 thousand people, but even in the most non-tourist season, there are two tourists for one local. And this is quite understandable – here are held almost all year round various holidays, fairs, festivals and sports events.
Killarney is also famous for its numerous museums, historical monuments, medieval castles, ancient abbeys, and churches. Notable attractions include St. Mary’s Cathedral, adorned with ancient frescoes, the monument to the Four Poets in the city’s main square, and the Protestant parish church, its walls covered in centuries-old ivy. Despite its rich history, Killarney remains remarkably peaceful and serene, with a lack of hustle and bustle.
The main attraction of Killarney is its beautiful and breathtaking natural scenery. It is home to two of the most popular tourist routes in Ireland: the famous Kerry Ring Road and the Killarney National Park. Let’s take a virtual tour of the latter!
Killarney National Park is the pride of the Emerald Isle
Killarney National Park in Ireland, located near the town of the same name, covers more than 10,000 hectares of pristine land. The history of this iconic Irish landmark began with the construction of a family estate owned by Senator Arthur Vincent. It was not opened to the public until 1933, when the Senator donated the estate to the public. Fifty years later, Killarney National Park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Since then, it has become a favorite vacation spot not only for locals, but also for visitors from abroad.
The uniqueness of Killarney National Park is explained not only by picturesque views, but also by a huge number of the rarest specimens of wildlife. Centuries-old oaks, rare strawberry trees, mosses, ferns, lichens, Irish spurge, Gull’s rockwort and even a unique section of yew forest (there are only 3 in Europe) grow here.
The park’s wildlife also deserves attention, with notable species such as red deer, peregrine falcons, badgers, pine martens, and red squirrels. The lakes of Killarney are renowned for their abundance of trout, salmon, Arctic char, and brown trout. If you look up, you’ll see blackbirds, red grouse, white-fronted geese, and nightjars.
The heights in this area range from 21 to 841 meters, and the park itself is influenced by the Gulf Stream, which has a positive effect on its climate. The cool summers and moderately cold winters contribute to the flourishing of various ecosystems, including gardens, bogs, heathlands, waterfalls, mountains, forests, and, of course, lakes.
For your information! Various bodies of water occupy a quarter of the total area, so boats are almost the main means of transportation in the park.
Pretty manor houses and cute farm houses with hospitable and attentive inhabitants are scattered throughout the National Park. To travel around the area, you can rent a bicycle, hire a horse-drawn carriage, ride in a mini-bus or ride a stocky Irish horse. But the greatest delight will be a walk, allowing you to get used to the unique atmosphere and to take a good look at the local sights. By the way, there are so many of them that you will probably stay here for more than one day. Let’s get acquainted with the most famous ones.
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Dunloe Gorge (Gap of Dunloe)
In the photo of Killarney National Park in Ireland, you will probably see another attraction. This is the famous Dunloe Gorge, located in the eastern part of the city. The area, formed by centuries-old glaciers, is considered not only the most beautiful, but also the most extreme. There are almost no tourists here, so the gorge has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Muckross Abbey
Killarney National Park is known not only for its natural treasures, but also for its historical sites. One of these is the majestic ruins of a monastery that once served as a refuge for the Franciscan order.
Even in its best days, Macross Abbey was not a place of luxury, and over the past couple of centuries, it has lost its original appearance. Most of the exterior buildings have been abandoned, and the interior spaces are in need of restoration. Near the monastery walls, there is an ancient cemetery that captivates with its moss-covered tombstones and crumbling stone crosses.
There are no special tours to Muckross Abbey, but you can always come here on your own. It’s a great place to reflect on the meaning of life and the transience of existence.
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Torc Waterfall
There is another amazing wonder in the park – Torc Waterfall, which is as high as 18 meters. It is located 7 km from the city and in close proximity to three lakes. It is there, at the foot of the mountain of the same name, that a noisy mass of crystal water falls into a pool with rock debris.
The history of Torquay is shrouded in myths and legends. One of these legends tells the story of a young man who was under a terrible curse. During the day, he was a handsome young man, but at night, he transformed into a fearsome boar. When his secret was discovered, the young man became a mass of fire, rolled down the slopes of Magerton, and fell into the Devil’s Punch Bowl. This caused a deep rift in the valley, and the resulting water flow created a waterfall.
For your information! The best place to view this natural site is Mount Torke. If there are no clouds, you can also see the opposite shore of Dingle Bay.
Muckross House
It’s no wonder that Macross House is considered the crown jewel of Killarney. The mansion, consisting of 45 living rooms, was built in 1843 for the family of a renowned Irish artist. Visitors are captivated not only by the vast and beautifully landscaped grounds of the estate, but also by the opulent decor of its rooms. It is said that Queen Victoria herself once visited Macross House, and now anyone can explore its chambers.
The working areas, which used to house kitchens, servants’ quarters, cellars, and storerooms, are equally impressive. The interior of these rooms provides insight into the daily life of people in pre-electricity times. In addition to the historical attractions, Macross House also features a modern attraction, such as a gift shop, an Irish restaurant, and a weaving and ceramic workshop. However, it is the garden, which features rhododendrons blooming from early spring to mid-summer, and the arboretum with exotic trees that have earned the farm its global recognition.
Ross Castle
Among the architectural landmarks of Killarney National Park, Ross Castle deserves special attention. This medieval castle, built in the 15th century, is located on the shores of Lough Lane. It is a classic example of ancient Irish fortification. The castle features a towering 5-story tower in the center, surrounded by thick walls with defensive battlements at the corners. The entrance to the building is protected by a “multi-layer” system consisting of a metal grate, a sturdy oak door, invisible killer holes, and a multi-level spiral staircase that makes it difficult to reach the upper floors.
Despite the numerous wars that the Ross Castle has been through, it has been well-preserved and has survived to the present day. Today, it is a functioning museum and one of the most majestic historical sites in Ireland. Over the years, the castle has been surrounded by numerous legends and beliefs. For example, locals believe that the former owner of the castle, Mora O’Donoghue, was swallowed up by an unknown force along with his horse, books, and furniture. Since then, he has been living at the bottom of a lake, keeping a watchful eye over his former domain. It is also believed that anyone who manages to see the Count’s ghost with their own eyes (which can only be done once every seven years on an early May morning) will be blessed with success for the rest of their life.
Killarney Lakes
The Kilbride Lakes can be considered the most famous attraction in Ireland. All three lakes, Upper (Lough Lane), Lower (Linn), and Middle (Macros), are glacial in origin and have consistently cold water. Linn, the largest of the twin lakes, is nestled between three mountains: Mungerton, Torc, and Carantwill. The dense shadows cast by the mountains give the area the nickname “Black Valley.”
Surrounded by lakes, there are wild forests with unique relict trees, huge ferns, and delicate rhododendrons. Further up, at an altitude of about 800 meters, there are several smaller water bodies formed by karsts.
Ladies ‘ Observation Deck View
The Ladies’ View is one of the best spots in the National Park. It offers a breathtaking view of the valley and the famous Killarney Lakes. Queen Victoria is credited with discovering the Ladies’ View, which is the name of this viewpoint. On her way back to Macross House, she was so impressed by the view that she returned to the spot several times.
For your information! Guided tours and solo or guided tours are available for visitors to the National Park.
Where to stay?
The number of hotels located on the territory of the Killarney National Park is no less than the number of attractions collected here. You can easily choose accommodation for every taste and purse, whether it is an elite hotel, a medium-category institution or a regular hostel.
- The most popular 3-4* hotels in the city are The Parkavon Hotel, Killarney Court Hotel, Killarney Riverside Hotel, and Killarney Inn. Prices for a double room start at €75 per night.
- Apartments (Wild Atlantic Way Apartments Killarney, Flemings White Bridge Self-Catering Mobile Home Hire, Rose Cottage, etc.) will cost more, at 100-170 €.
- Hostels (such as Neptune’s Hostel, The Black Sheep Hostel, or New Street Lodge) cost between 35 and 90 €.
How to get to Killarney?
Killarney National Park is easily accessible from anywhere in Ireland. The most convenient way to get there is from Dublin. There are three main ways to reach the park.
Train
The train service between the capital of Ireland and Killarney is provided by the Irish Rail company. The departure point is Dublin Heuston station. The journey takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, and the ticket price ranges from 32 to 40 euros, depending on the ticket type. Trains depart every two hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can check the current schedule and purchase tickets online at www.irishrail.ie.
Bus
You can also take buses to the National Park:
- Dublin Coach (www.dublincoach.ie) – travel time is 4 hours 25 minutes, frequency of departures – every 2 hours from 6:15 to 21:15. Fare – 25 €.
- Aircoach (www.aircoach.ie) – the journey takes about 5 hours, and the ticket price is 32 €.
Note! The same state-owned international buses run from Trelawney (40 minutes) and University of Cork (2 hours).
Rented car
Car rental is the most convenient and perhaps the fastest transfer option. Killarney is about 302 km away from Dublin. It takes a little over 3 hours to cover this distance.
Killarney, Ireland is an amazing and unique place that you will want to return to again and again. Such a journey will remain in your memory forever.
