Parkavonear is a 13th century Norman castle that overlooks Killarney National Park from a stunning location in Aghadoe. The castle is situated beside the ruins of Aghadoe Cathedral, Round tower and adjacent graveyard. When you are in Aghadoe for the panoramic views, stay a little longer and take a wander through the ruins of Parkavonear. Continue reading
The Old Weir Bridge is one of Killarney’s oldest structures and it has seen thousands of visitors pass over and under its famous arches for centuries. Despite its fame, not everyone is lucky enough to make it to the bridge. Make sure to take a little detour so that you can experience the magical setting of the Old Weir Bridge in Killarney National Park. 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
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
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
On this route we explore a circular 6km trail through one of the best known areas of Killarney National Park. Suitable for runners, walkers, hikers, strollers and dogs alike, this trail will take us through some of the most-visited areas of Muckross in Killarney National Park. With just a few detours off the well-beaten track, you can very easily travel along by the lake shore of two of Killarney’s famed three lakes. Read on to sample some of the magic of Muckross and maybe follow the route yourself the next time you’re in the neighbourhood.
You learn something new every day. And so it was the day I saw a stunning photograph of a waterfall in Killarney National Park featured in the Journal.ie. The photo captivated me not just because of its beauty but because I had no idea where the photo had been taken. Having grown up in Killarney and spent plenty of time wandering around the Park, my interest was piqued. The shot was from a photographic book by Norman McCloskey called “Parklight” which documented years of traversing the Park in all sorts of conditions. Having shared the photo on Facebook, I thought no more of the Tower Wood and filed it away in my mind under “Must Find Later”. Continue reading
Today was my first trip of the year up the Cardiac Steps of Killarney. For those not familiar with this trail, it is a not-so-gentle ascent up the slopes of Torc Mountain, just a few kilometres outside of Killarney town. The steep rise up through hundreds of steps brings great rewards to the walker or trail runner with panoramic vistas throughout the trail. If you need a break en route, you can take your pick of the great views of the Lakes of Killarney, McGillycuddy Reeks and the rest of Killarney National Park.
Donal O'Leary 