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Killorglin |
Killorglin, on the south-west of Kerry, approximately thirty five miles from Dingle, is situated along the Laune river. The main sources of income in Killorglin are agriculture and tourism and there are several craft shops and guest houses in the town.
Situated in the geographical heart of Kerry along the Laune River, the first stop on the way out of Killarney is the town of Killorglin. This lively town situated on a hill is best known for one of Ireland's oldest, longest and probably most unusual celebrated festivals – Puck Fair.
This annual event celebrated over three days in August honours an event during Cromwellian Ireland when a stampede of wild goats ran through the town warning the residents of the approach of Cromwell's Army. To celebrate this event a goat is captured and enthroned on a pedestal. The town really celebrates this historical event in style with a number of other events held in the town as well as the capturing of the goat. These additional events include ‘ The Guinness Busking Competition’, Open air concerts and displays of dancing all laid on for the influx of 100,000 tourists. These visitors tend to arrive mainly from the US or Europe.
Killorglin is still a peaceful setting for a holiday as the area has many quiet roads and wonderful walks to enjoy. It is possibly best known for its numerous lakes which provide idyllic fishing grounds such as Lough Nakirka for trout fishing and Cara Lake for Salmon. As well as lake fishing there is also river and sea fishing (available at Ballykissane Pier, Killorglin ) and like nearly every town in Kerry there are a number of Golf courses close by including Beaufort Golf Club, Dooks Golf Club, Dunloe Golf Range and Killorglin Golf club itself.
There are plenty of lively spots to be found in the town of Killorglin with traditional music in many. There is a selection of restaurants to be found to cater for most tastes.
The are a host of quiet country walks waiting to be enjoyed and the area has many walks for the visitor from coastal walks to the ascent of Carrauntuohill. The Kerry Way is a long distance path stretching from Killarney - the Black Valley - Glencar - Glenbeigh - Caherciveen. The route consists wherever possible of the paths and green roads with some linking stretches along surfaced roads. It uses old droving paths and butter roads and as it is slightly higher than present day roads it improves on what is already spectacular viewing. Route marking is discreet and you should look for the walking man sign.
The ruins of this old Church still remain standing which was originally dedicated to Saint Lawrence after which the parish is called (Cill Lorcan - Lorcan being Irish for Lawrence). His feast was brought in to support the pagan festival of cLugh (God of Light) who was a Celtic God mainly worshipped during the month of August (Lunasa). There was a three day festival of worship to Luch in Lyons, France which was replaced by a festival of Saint Lawrence that was three days long with the first day being the Vigil, the second day being the Feast and the third day being the Scattering. The Church was serviced in the 15th Century from the Agustinian Monastery of near Milltown which is four miles away.
St. James’ Roman Catholic Church
In 1837, a Church and a School were built on the site of the present day Church. It was cruciform in shape with a thatched roof and a mud floor and fell into bad disrepair. The present Church took two years and ten months to build and work commenced in 1887. The sandstone for the building was transported from Castlemaine on the newly opened railway line, the limestone was quarried in Steelroe and the Altar came from Sicily. The Church is a good example of Gothic Architecture.
This monument was erected to commemorate the death of the first of three volunteers in the 1916 Easter Rising, who were drowned when their car plunged into the sea. These three were members of a party of four who took a wrong turning while travelling to Valentia to take over radio equipment for the purpose of signalling a German arms ship and Sir Roger Casement.
This Monument opposite the Roman Catholic Church was erected to commemorate Townsend Blennerhassett who, a member of the Kerry Militia, who was drowned on 20th June, 1867 while attempting to rescue a colleague.
Kerryīs great annual binge - trading, music-making, drinking, story-telling - īPuckī is the real thing. And thatīs no surprise, because the Fair dates back longer than anyone has been able to figure out. A couple of years ago on Gathering Day (the first day of the Fair), a man in the Fishery Bar told Kerry Gems that the festival and the traditional crowning of a puck goat began as a pre-Christian festival in honour of the Celtic sun god, Lugh (and sure enough Puck Fair has always coincided with the ancient festival of Lughnasa.). The German playing the tin whistle in the corner said he didnīt believe it, because Killorglin didnīt exist before the Normans came, and his guidebook said they started the Fair in the 13th century.
Course was designed by (the late) Eddie Hacked. He also designed courses at Waterville and Killarney-Killeen, amongst many others. It is probably the most scenically located course in Ireland. It is a challenging but fair layout making excellent use of the natural lie of the land.Course was designed by (the late) Eddie Hacked. He also designed courses at Waterville and Killarney-Killeen, amongst many others. It is probably the most scenically located course in Ireland. It is a challenging but fair layout making excellent use of the natural lie of the land.
