Visitors to Killarney usually ask some variant of the “what it is that I should see when in Killarney?” question. There are dozens of answers, but a trip to Innisfallen Island is not always included in the “must see” list. It should be. Innisfallen is a magical, special place that needs only a couple of hours of your time. In return, you will be rewarded with an enchanting experience that will linger long after you leave the island. Continue reading
The Knockreer and Ross Island Loop in Killarney National Park is a superb 10km route close to Killarney town. Whether you are a runner, cyclist, hiker or a stroller, the route has something for everyone; stunning views, historic sites and nature at its finest. This trail boasts the convenience of a starting point close to the town centre but also provides a varied landscape with great opportunities to observe nature at close quarters along the way. If you’re looking for a great 10k run or a beautiful walk through Killarney National Park, this route is one of the better options available in the Killarney area. Photo opportunities present themselves at several points along the way and you’re never too far from civilisation if you need to get back to the town. Continue reading
The Circular Walk in Knockreer, Killarney National Park is popular with visitors and locals alike. Situated close to the town centre, this is an ideal way to get a dose of the National Park and experience some of the wildlife up close, without having to venture too far from town. Continue reading
The setting for Killarney High Ropes couldn’t be more idyllic. Perched on a wooded hillside on the outskirts of Killarney, it shares a base with the ‘An Óige’ hostel that has been operating from this location for many years. Many a weary hiker has traipsed up the long driveway to the welcome sight of the 18th century building at the brow of the hill. Continue reading
A visit to the Muckross Traditional farms is an enjoyable and informative way to while a few hours in a beautiful part of Killarney National Park. Situated in the majestic surroundings of Muckross House & Gardens, the traditional farms provide a real-life glimpse at what life in Ireland was like in the early part of the twentieth century. This is not a museum tour in the traditional sense. It is a working farm that utilises the tools and practices of the time to re-enact a way of life that is slowly fading from memory. Continue reading
Muckross Abbey is a must-see location for many that visit Killarney National Park. Fortunately, in order to access the historic ruins, you have to go through some of the best loved parts of the Park. By veering off the beaten track ever so slightly, you can find a lovely looped walk that combines splendour and solitude with a bit of adventure in between. Continue reading
It was a chilly December evening in 1997 in the Point Depot in Dublin. Oasis were in town and so was I. We headed down the Quays looking to see if Oasis ‘still got it’. “Be Here Now” had been released a few months earlier and this was a chance to see if we were watching the advance of the slippery slope or was it just a case of ‘difficult third album’ syndrome. Continue reading
The famous Ring of Kerry route attracts visitors from all over the world every year. If you travel the Ring in the traditional anti-clockwise direction, the final stretch from Moll’s Gap to Killarney is one of the highlights of the route. It is here that you will find a beautiful area of Killarney National Park known as Derrycunnihy. A small church by the roadside marks the spot from where you can explore the area. Whether it’s a short stroll to stretch the legs, or a jog through some rolling trails or as part of a longer trek through the lakeland paths, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here. Continue reading
I remember reading “The Beach” by Alex Garland before it became a movie and before I ever took a backpacking step in anger. The author skilfully conveyed that magic feeling of discovering a secluded or secret place. My mind’s eye was transported to the lazy island shores of a land that I had yet to set foot in. The giddy moment when the beach itself was finally discovered managed to capture that child-like feeling of being the first to find something special. This is how you will feel when you first emerge from the woods of Killarney National Park on to the sands of Rosie’s Beach. Continue reading
Building Energy Ratings (BER) have been with us for quite a while at this stage. Since 2009, every property for sale or rent must have a BER certificate. Since 2007, those building their own homes have need a BER before moving in. In that time, there have been a lot of assessments, a lot of results and a lot of laminated certificates filed away in the drawer (you know that drawer… the one where we used to keep the plastic bag stash). So, how did we all do? What’s the pass/fail rate like? Well, I guess you can’t really ‘fail’ the BER – it’s the taking part that counts, really. With well over half a million BER assessments conducted to date, read on to have a look at some of the interesting results. Continue reading
Donal O'Leary 