|
(Irish - Cill Airne - Church of the Sloe}
This is one of Irelands main tourist centres and scenic area,
no where in Ireland is the scenery more breath taking, consisting
of its famous lakes, mountains, monastic settlements and the beautiful
National Park. For the sportsperson it has angling, shooting,
horse riding, pony trekking, golf, tennis, boating, mountaineering,
walking, bicycling, whilst here the tourist can visit Muckross
House and Gardens, Dinis Island, Torc Waterfall, Aghadoe, Rosscastle,
Kate Kearneys Cottage and the Gap of Dunloe.
Entertainment,
Events & Festivals in Killarney
Things
to do in Killarney
Trails
and Walks:
These are numerous in the National Park
Salmon and Trout Angling: Wild trout and the good run of
spring salmon and grilse in Lough Leane, the River Flesk and the
River Laune. Other waters around Killarney hold stocks of brown
trout, including the Upper Lake, Muckross Lake, Lough Guitane.
The Little River Maine and the Brown Flesk River. Fishing is free
on all Killarney lakes except Killbrean. Permits are necessary
for fishing on the rivers. For salmon fishing a state licence
is required. Information is available from the local Tourist Office.
There are also innumerable mountain streams and lakes near Killarney
where good trout fishing is available.
Sea Angling: Available in Dingle, Valentia, Caherciveen,
Fenit and numerous other places within an hours drive of Killarney.
Further information on angling can be had from: South-Western
Regional Fisheries Board, 1 Neville Terrace, Masseytown, Macroom,
Co. Cork. Ireland. Tel: 003532641221
Bus and Coach Tours: Full and half day tours are available.
Cycling: this is an excellent way to explore the splendour
and beauty of Killarney. They can be hired locally. Enquire at
the Tourist Office.
Bathing: No developed facilities are provided in the Park
for swimming except at Goleen shore on Muckross Lake, where life
buoys are provided. Although there are no known strong currents,
Killarney Lakes are deep with steeply shelving shores and, therefore,
extreme care should be taken when swimming. There are also many
glorious beaches within easy reach.
Golf: Three Eighteen Hole courses at Killarney Golf and
Fishing Club. One Eighteen Hole at Beaufort. One Nine Hole at
Ross Road and a Nine Hole at Dunloe. Dunloe Golf course also has
a driving range. Clubs and caddy cars and caddies are available
for hire.
Horse Racing: At the Racecourse Ross Road. Meetings during
May and July. July being the main event.
Gaelic Football and Hurling: Matches most Sunday afternoons
held locally.
Painting: The Killarney area is an artist's paradise, which
is renowned for its scenic beauty.
Mountaineering: There are numerous mountains within easy
reach of Killarney Town which are suitable for climbing and hill
walking e.g. Ireland's highest mountain Carrauntuohill 1040 metres
high, Mangerton Mountain 725 metres high, Torc Mountain 537 metres
high, The Reeks Walk, etc. However before you go climbing on the
mountains for safety reasons please inform someone of your intended
route and an estimated time of return, not forgetting to check
in when you return. Make sure you have proper clothing and footwear
and an adequate supply of food for the climb.
Pitch and Putt: Available at a number of centres. Clubs
available for hire.
Riding: Horse riding is available at a number of centres.
Further information available at the Tourist Office.
Squash: Four Courts available to non-residents
Tennis: Outdoor hard courts and grass courts available,
racquets etc. available for hire.
Orienteering: Killarney District has many beautiful walking
routes to attract the visitor with its many well laid out and
signposted nature trails.
Ornithology: There are 145 species of birds, which have
so far been identified in the Park. While many of these species
are resident and live here throughout the year, others are migrants
spending only part of the year in the southwest of Ireland, and
yet others are vagrants, occurring only occasionally often as
a result of inclement weather conditions.
There are species such as, swallows,swift,cuckoo,fieldfares, and
redwing, also blackbird, mistlethrush and chaffinch. Wild fowl
such as pochard, widgeon, teal and whopper swans, and Greenland
white fronted geese.
Killarney was once home to the Golden Eagle, however Osprey sightings
still occur. Other rarities include reed warblers and spotted
crake in the reed beds, and garganey and ring-necked duck on the
Lakes and wood warblers and icterine warblers in wooded areas.
There are breeding birds of interest viz. blackcap, garden warbler,
nightjars, and in some high mountain glens are ring ouzels, plus
a lot more species to many to mention.
Invertebrates:
There is a great variety of insect life in the Killarney National
Park, which has been studied for over 25 years identifying a number
of species of International importance.
Living in the upper canopies of the oak woods is the Purple Hairstreak
Butterfly. The Caterpillar is brown and camouflaged to look like
an oak bud, while the adult male is a gleaming purple colour.
The Northern Emerald and the Downey Emerald Dragonflies are found
nowhere else in the Country.
The rarest insect in Killarney goes by the name of Buchonomyia
thienamanni; it is a minute non-biting midge.
The Kerry slug is also to be found, when disturbed it rolls up
into a ball.
Archaeology: There is a great concentration and a wealth
of archaeological remains to be found in the Killarney area.
Lake Cruises: These depart from Ross Castle on a covered
all-weather boat on Killarney's Lower Lake. Information and bookings
available from Tourist Office.
Cycling: This is an excellent way to explore and enjoy
the splendour of the many beauty spots within the Killarney Valley.
Bicycles may be hired in Killarney. Contact Killarney Tourist
Office.
Boating (Row Boats): Boats are available for hire, with,
or without a boatman, at Ross Castle and Muckross House-boathouse.
Numerous trips are available. Tours can be booked with local tour
operators.
Entertainment
in Killarney
Kerry
Woollen Mills: On the
main Killorglin Road about 14km from Killarney. The Mills were driven
by the River Giveestin and were established in the 17th century.
Visitors can enjoy tours of the mill and buy from the superb range
of quality woollen and other crafts in the Mill Shop. Homemade snacks
are available in the tearoom.
National Transport Museum: Step back in time and enjoy Irish
veteran and vintage cars, bicycles, motorcycles, fire engines, and
carriages, at the Irish National Transport Museum. This fine museum
is located in Scott's Gardens in the centre of town. Open daily.
The marvellous collection includes the 1st and last cars assembled
in Ireland, The Countess of Markiewics Car, The Blue Max; one of
the unique cars is the 1907 Silver Stream. It is in fact the rarest
car in the world, only one was ever built. The original asking price
of £2,000 at a time when a pint of Guinness was 2p possibly
proved too costly.
Killarney Manor: The Old Torc Hotel later became the Lorretto
convent in Killarney and since the nuns vacated it, the house is
the venue for Killarney Manor Banquets, which presents an evening
of good food and lively entertainment in a historic setting. The
ambience is that of a stately manor home of the 1860s. Open April
to October, booking advisable. Telephone 003536431551.
Killarney Model Railway: The world's largest indoor model
railway is situated right in the heart of the town. Fifty trains
run on over a mile of track, taking you through the landmarks of
Europe, including the Alps. Even our own Muckross House is included.
There's a real fairyland effect when the lights dim and the village
and trains light up. Elsewhere, there are houses, fire, and sea
rescues in this wonderful miniature world. Take time to absorb it
all- you're welcome to linger.
You can try your skill on a scalextric track and browse through
the shop with its big range of model rail items and die-cast models.
Specialising in rally and F1 radio control cars and kits. A great
all-weather attraction.
Cinema: Killarney Cineplex showing four films each evening,
also late night shows on Friday and Saturday.
Discotheques: All year round.
Dancing: Available during the season with many top class
groups and Showbands.
Cabaret: Many top class artists perform throughout the season
as advertised in local newspapers.
Singing Pubs: There are many bars and hotel lounges, which
provide entertainment nightly. These range from smaller, more intimate
type pubs to larger entertainment lounges. The type of music ranges
from traditional Irish entertainment to Country and Western and
popular music. The atmosphere is friendly and the singing sometimes
is spontaneous.
Drama: Occasionally throughout the year - see local newspapers
for details.
Bingo: Available in a number of centres throughout the year.
Events
and Festivals in Killarney
Saint Patrick's Week Killarney: A march with traditional
music, song, and dance, and of course the Great Parade on March
17th. Special awards and mementoes for visiting groups
and bands, civic reception, golf and angling competitions, special
cultural events sponsored by local cultural bodies. Overseas visitors
are particularly welcome to join in the festivities.
Old Machinery Rally: At Easter, a fascinating display
of traditional farm and industrial vintage machinery, many of
which are still in excellent working order.
Killarney Races: In mid May and July. July being
the main meeting.
South of Ireland Bridge Congress: Held at the Lake Hotel,
Muckross Road Killarney. One of Ireland's longest and leading
bridge tournaments. The country's best players with players from
other countries, congregate to test their knowledge and skills
in the many competitions held.
Rally of the Lakes: Held in May this international
Rally held on some of the finest rallying roads in the world attract
top-class competitors from both home and abroad, and providing
tremendous spectator attraction.
Killarney Summerfest: June 26th to July 6th, 2003.
The Fitzgerald Stadium will once again host top international
artists. Included in this years line up are David Gray, The Counting
Crows and The Cranberries. Ireland's National Events Centre will
also host a range of high profile artists including the World's
number one Elvis Tribute Show. The ten days of the Festival will
be jam packed with street entertainment, workshops, an arts programme,
teddy bears picnic and outdoor activities in the National Park.
Whatever your interest or age I'm sure you will find it in the
Summerfest to suit you.
Killarney Dog Show: Held in August. This is a pedigree
dog show, which is well worth a visit for fans and visitors alike.
Historic Stages Rally: A rally held in December
with cars, which date pre 1979. The rally encompasses Killarney,
Kenmare and Glengarriff.
Geneaology
Tracing in Killarney
There
is an office in Killarney. Postal enquiries only to- Killarney
Genealogical Centre, Cathedral Walk, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
Or contact: Consultancy Service, Genealogical Office, 2 Kildare
Street, Dublin 2. Ireland Telephone 0035316618811.
Killarney Tourist Office is open all year, and can be reached
at Beech Road, Killarney Co. Kerry. Ireland. Tel: 003536431633
Fax: 003536434506
|
on the map for information and photos. 