I arrived in Killarney that evening and was exited to spend a couple days there since there are so many beautiful things to see. Killarney is in the southwest of Ireland in county Kerry. Queen Victoria visited in 1861, putting it on an international spotlight. The area is one of the most popular spots for the Irish to go for a holiday. Killarney National Park is there, and was right across the street from the hotel I stayed at. The park has deer roaming around it; it is interesting that Ireland has no predators. So you can feel safe going on hikes there since St. Patrick drove all the snakes out a long time ago…
The Ring of Kerry (179 km circular route) tour started at Dunloe Gap, where we stopped at a woolen mills where I had to fight every fiber of my being to not buy a cobalt blue cape. I kind of wish I did, but I found an amazing green leather jacket in Scotland that made up for it. Ireland is the place to buy a cape or sweater. Dunloe Gap is beautiful, and you’ve probably seen it in movies that take place in Ireland like many of the stops on the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is beautiful and breathtaking. Lake Caragh was our next stop then Dingle Bay (Ryan’s Daughter was filmed there). Thankfully, it was a beautiful sunny day so it looked even more spectacular!
We had a longer stop on Valentia Island where we had lunch. On the island, you can take a ferry to the Skellig Islands, made famous in the Star Wars Episode VII Luke Skywalker scene at the end. St. Michael built an amazing monastery in the 6th century on the harsh landscape that you can still hike up to. The ferry starts up in May so I couldn’t go to the island unfortunately. The trip also requires hiking attire since it has pretty steep (650 to be exact) steps. The island had to be abandoned in the late 12th century due to Viking raids. It a UNESCO world heritage site.
After lunch, we stopped at Koomakista, O’Carroll’s Cove. The tour then entered Killarney National Park at Ladies View, which gets its name from the time Queen Victoria visited since she and her ladies in waiting picnicked there. Torc Waterfall is another must see at the park. I’m so glad I got to go since it wasn’t on the itinerary. You can hike the trail that takes you up to Torc Mountain if you are so inclined, but the tour went on to another stop that isn’t on the itinerary.
Muckross House, on Muckross Lake, was built in 1843, and was owned by the Herbert Family. The house was built in the Tudor style, and was renovated to host Queen Victoria. The queen canceled a couple times before actually coming, and did not bestow nobility on the family after the visit, as they had hoped for. Prince Albert died that year, which plunged Victoria into deep mourning. These circumstances led to the family going bankrupt. After exchanging some owners, it was bequeathed to the park in the 1930s. I enjoyed the visit to Muckross House. The gardens of the mansion are beautiful; the colors of the flowers really pop against the stone facade. You can take a horse and carriage around the grounds, which I learned is called a “jaunting car ride.”
I did take a jaunting car ride through the park and up to Ross Castle. The castle was built in the 15th century on Lough Leane and was the ancestral home of the O’Donoghue Clan. The ride to the castle was great, I loved riding through the park and enjoyed the scenery. The castle looked amazing against the lake, and the sun was setting when I took the ride, which added to the experience. I did get to see red deer, the predators of the park.
I ended the evening having dinner at Khao, a Thai restaurant, since I missed Asian food. After a day filled with so many things, a tea by the fireplace was just what I needed that night. The Ring of Kerry is a must see, and pictures do not do it justice. If a tour is not for you, you can rent a car and hike the trails. When you visit, make sure you spend time at Killarney National Park. I can see why it’s a favorite place for the Irish themselves. I did all this in a day, which is probably a bit much for most people. However, you must see it for yourself…trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
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