Killarney Key Attractions

Located in the stunning county of Kerry, Killarney is one of Irelands most popular destinations. The town draws plenty of visitors, attracted by its typical Irish atmosphere, picturesque scenery, lively traditional music and a well developed tourist infrastructure. Its an ideal base to tour the famous Ring of Kerry drive, with its spectacular coastal scenery. Killarney is also a thriving commercial town, offering a wealth of attractions and entertainment.

Muckross House and Gardens

This sprawling ivy-covered Victorian mansion was built for a wealthy landowner in 1843, and donated to the state in the 1930s. The house is now a folk museum which portrays the lifestyles of the gentry and the serving classes of the 19th century. On display are locally-made furniture, prints, art and needlework, strangely mixed with un-Irish items like Oriental screens, Chippendale chairs and Turkish carpets. The gardens of Muckross are also of great interest to visitors. Rich in Rhododendron and Azaleas during season, the garden is also famed for its extensive water garden. Visitors can wander to the on-site restaurant and workshops, where local artisans demonstrate bookbinding, weaving and pottery. Website: www.muckross-house.ie; phone: +353 61 31440.

Muckross Traditional Farms

Not far from the Muckross House estate, these farms are designed to demonstrate what traditional farm life was like in centuries gone by in County Kerry. It's cleverly done - the farmhouses and barns are so authentically detailed that you feel as if you've dropped in on real farms. Children cant wait to look at and feel the animals and check out the household environments, while it's interesting enough to keep adults from getting bored as well. Work really does go on here, with farmhands working the fields while the blacksmith, carpenter and wheelwright ply their trades. Women draw water from the wells and cook meals in historically accurate kitchens. Website: www.muckross-house.ie; phone: +353 61 31440.

Torc Waterfall

A short walk up a steep, wide footpath leads to the Torc Waterfall. It has a fall of 60 feet and the footpath leading up to it offers excellent views over the Killarney lakes. This waterfall is formed by a river which flows from the Punch Bowl, high in the mountain, and provides a spectacular display after a heavy rainfall. Torc Mountain stands at the southern edge of the Middle Lake.

Ross Castle

Picturesquely located on the edge of Lough Leane, 15th century Ross Castle was an O'Donoghue chieftain stronghold. According to legend, the castle would never be conquered by land. In the 17th century, Cromwellian forces successfully attacked the castle by crossing the lake, fulfilling the prophecy. Modern tour guides offer substantial and interesting historical facts, and provide tours of the restored tower and 17th century dwelling house.

Gap of Dunloe

Carved by the melt water of a huge glacier thousands of years ago, the Gap is about seven miles in length, with Tomies and Purple mountains on the left and the McGillycuddy Reeks to the right. Many walk or cycle, but for the romantic, a journey Thro' the Gap in a pony and trap, and returning by boat via the Killarney Lakes, is the only way experience the magic of the Gap - a magnificent and unforgettable trip not to be missed. Website: www.gapofdunloetours.com; phone: +353 64 30200.

St Mary's Cathedral

Designed by Augustus W Pugin in the English Gothic style, St Mary's Cathedral is considered his finest Irish work. It was completed in 1855, strictly adhering to Pugin's exterior and interior designs. During the Famine, construction work stopped for five years while the covered area of the cathedral was used as a fever hospital.
In the 1970s, the then Bishop of Kerry, Dr Eamon Casey, initiated a refurbishment of the cathedral. While the exterior was restored to its original glory, the interior was modernised with concrete altars and pews, replacing the carved wood originals. The Augustus W Pugin designed furnishings are now on display in the Muckross House Folk Museum. All of the original stained glass windows are intact and are quite beautiful. Phone: +353 64 31014.

The Blue Pool

This is a nature reserve and possibly Killarney's best kept secret. An enclave known mostly to locals, the blue pool is a magical place - its waters are coloured naturally by local limestone and other rocks. It is the peaceful home of local wildlife - sit quietly for a few moments and see kingfishers catching trout in the local pool and squirrels darting between the trees. Turn left at Molly Darcy's pub on Muckross Road for little bit of paradise.

The Colleen Bawn Rock

Some 30 minutes or so drive from Muckross House, on a right and then left bend, you encounter a most beautiful little beach looking out onto Muckross Lake and across to Dinis Cottage. Meanwhile, just a stones throw from the beach lies a small but most striking rocky island, perhaps the most famous piece of limestone in Killarney, the Colleen Bawn Rock. The story around the naming of this rock is interesting, with its basis being in fact, but its fame derived from fiction.

Old Kenmare Road

Immensely popular, this moderate walk follows the original road to Kenmare. Most locals opt for a short version, stopping at the river and returning by the same path. The total length of the old road is 10 miles, while the shorter route is eight miles. The one-way walk to Kenmare takes about 5 hours, while the shorter option takes 4 hours or less. This delightful walk takes you along mountain meadows, where herds of red deer frequently graze. In Esknamuky Glen, the furrows and stone walls of a pre-Famine village are still visible, providing a stark reminder of harsher times. There are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains throughout, with plenty of pleasant spots at which to picnic. Phone: +353 64 31633.