We passed some beautiful scenery finishing up the drive from Adare to Killarney:
and then once in Killarney it was time to take a step back in time and explore Killarney National Park using a traditional mode of transport - a ‘jaunting car’.
Killarney National Park sprawls over 10, 000 hectares and is Ireland’s largest area of ancient oak woods, with panoramic views of its highest mountains and the country’s only wild herd of native red deer (none see on this trip so must go again). The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982 - the Killarney Lakes make up about a quarter of the park and are surrounded by the high crags and moors of Purple Mountain (832m) and Knockrower Mountain (552m).
Ross Castle, in the middle of Killarney National Park, dates back to the 15th century when it was a residence of the O’Donoghue family. It was the last place in Munster to succumb to Cromwell’s forces, thanks partly to its cunning spiral staircase, every step of which is a different height in order to break an attacker’s stride.
The lively tourism hub of Killarney spills over with colourful shops, restaurants and pubs with traditional music. It was a really lovely place to spend a couple of nights.
I stayed at the Riverside Hotel which was, as the name suggests, right beside a lovely little river (Flesh River) and some beautiful scenery.
St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, this one built in 1870, is the latest to stand on this site although it is thought a church stood here since the earliest days of Christianity in Ireland.
The organ in St. Mary’s, installed in 1889, has incredibly decorated organ pipes.
A very creative way of having public defibrillators
A great way to end a day - at the Killarney Brewing Company
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