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Killarney |
Killarney Townand urban district of county Kerry, province of Munster, in the southwest of Ireland, 72 km (45 mi) northwest of the city of Cork. It lies north of Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the Lakes of Killarney, which contain numerous islands and comprise part of a national park. Of the three lakes, Lough Leane, or Lower Lake, lies nearest to the town and is separated from Muckross Lake, or Middle Lake, by the Muckross Peninsula. A strait called the Long Range connects Muckross Lake with Upper Lake. In 1932 the Irish government acquired the Muckross estate, a territory of about 4000 hectares (about 10,000 acres) that has since provided Ireland with a unique national park embracing most of the lake district. The estate area contains the ruins of Muckross Abbey, which the religious order of the Franciscans occupied in 1448. In 1652 the abbey was burned by the armies of Oliver Cromwell, the English revolutionary leader who had recently subjugated much of Ireland and Scotland. Also figuring prominently in the Cromwellian wars was Ross Castle, a structure dating from the 14th century whose well-preserved ruin still stands on a peninsula extending into Lough Leane. Seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Kerry, Killarney has a Gothic cathedral and bishop's palace that were designed by the English architect Augustus Pugin in 1849. Population (1991) 9,950.
Cill Airne: The Church of the Sloes). Sites of interest in the town reflect it's strong religious and educational history. Killarney was a Church foundation from the 5th or 6th Century, house settlement began here from around 1500. Explore colourful laneways, a finecathedral...historic buildings dating back to the days of the landlord...experience the atmosphere of busy streets in the town centre. Allow at least two hours - preferably more - to visit all locations listed below.KILLARNEY (Cill Airne: The Church of the Sloes). Sites of interest in the town reflect it's strong religious and educational history. Killarney was a Church foundation from the 5th or 6th Century, house settlement began here from around 1500.
Explore colourful laneways, a fine cathedral … historic buildings dating back to the days of the landlord … experience the ambience of busy streets in the town centre.Nestled amidst deep, lake filled valleys with astounding sights such as the famous Ladies' View (Named after Queen Victoria's Ladies' in Waiting) and the MacGillicuddy Reeks - Ireland's largest mountain range, home of Carrauntoohil our largest peak.
Killarney itself is a lively hub of activity, with many
hotels, restaurants, pubs, discos, along with outlets for renting
bikes, cars and the famous jaunting cars.
It is an ideal base for touring the Ring of Kerry, Dingle and
Tralee. Well serviced by transport - bus, train, and the nearby
Kerry Airport, Killarney is easily accessible from Ireland and
abroad.Tourist Office: 064 31633 Train Station: 064 31067 Bus
Station: 064 34777
(3M & 10L) - founded 1448. Route N71 from Killarney 5 kms to Muckross Park Hotel on the left - entrance to Abbey across the road just short of the Hotel. Very extensive late Gothic remains. Originally known as the Monastery of 'Oir Bhealach' or 'Eastern Way'. Three of Kerry's four great Gaelic poets buried inside in the Abbey and the fourth (Piaras Feirtéar) in the graveyard. In the chancel - in the lower grave on the right with the crown above the coat of arms - rests the first and last Earl of Clancarre, McCarthy Mór, King of Munster. Beside his tomb is the high tomb of the O'Donoghue's. The grave closest to the wall behind is O'Sullivan Mór. In 1583 the friars were expelled from the abbey but later returned. The monastery and church were extensively re-constructed in the early 17th Century. The abbey was finally suppressed in 1652 by Cromwellians but friars remained in this area for a further 200 years.
(14M-17M & 12L) Route N71 south from Killarney for 6 kms, entrance on right. House built by Henry Arthur Herbert in 1843. Visited by Queen Victoria in 1861. Now a folk museum open to the public (admission charge). Ground and first floors fine example of 19th Century great house - hallway, living room, dining room, bedrooms, Queen's boudoir - Donegal carpets, fine examples of local wood-carving, inlay work, Waterford chandeliers, tapestry, curtains, etc. Basement has craft tradesmen's workshops - working here are potters, weavers, a book-binder, etc. There are also displays of other trades.
Visitor Centre is attached to Muckross House (separate entrance - admission free) ... scale model of section of oak woodland with its birds and animals ... visual history of the Killarney oak woods. Audio visual theatre with regular AV presentation on Killarney National Park.
(7M & 17L) - Follow route N71 from Killarney for approx. 7.5 kms to car park on left. Follow path upward for 300m to waterfall. Worth viewing immediately after heavy rainfall. Up stepped track for 200m to lake panorama through conifer woods (8m). Route continues to Queen's Drive carpark (9M). Mountain amphitheatre - peaks and pine trees all around. Return to main road and car park by the same route.
West of Killarney on R562 by coach, car or bicycle (best by jaunting car if you can arrange that) - pass the Cathedral, golf course, Aghadoe Hill on the right. Left on unmarked road after 5 kms. Over the River Laune - through which the water from the lakes of Killarney flows into the sea - to Kate Kearney's Cottage at the entrance to the Gap .Walk, cycle, ride on pony-back or travel in a horse-drawn trap through this great glacial breach valley. Pass by Black, Cushvalley, and Augur lakes with Tomies and Purple mountains on the left and the MacGillycuddy Reeks on the right. Return to Killarneythe same way - for more extensive trip see the Killarney Day Trip .
Saint Mary's Church of Ireland
may be the site of the church after which Killarney is named (Cill Áirne: Church of the Sloes). Reconstructed in the 1870s in the neo-Gothic style. Stained glass windows, very classical, rich late Victorian decor. In the porch a list of incumbents includes Arthur Hyde, 1808, a great-grandfather of Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland - a mural of Rev. Hyde on left-hand side of main aisle.