Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Historical Killarney

We hope to tempt you to a short historical break with us in Killarney. Killarney is a treasure trove of historical sites and activities that will ensure your break is full of things to do and see. The International Hotel is a historical landmark located in the heart of Killarney and the gateway to the National Park. The hotel boasts old world charm while offering the luxuries of the modern day. www.killarneyinternational.com

Why not explore the wonderful Muckross House? Muckross House is situated close to the shores of Muckross Lake, amidst the beautiful scenery of Killarney National Park. The house is a focal point within the Park and is the ideal base from which to explore its terrain.

Muckross House was built for Henry Arthur Albert and his wife, the watercolourist Mary Balfour Herbert in 1839. Today the principal rooms are furnished in period style and portray the elegant lifestyle of the 19th century landowning class. While downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the house. Muckross house is also home to a number of skilled craftworkers who can be viewed using traditional skills in the crafts of weaving, bookbinding and pottery.

You may also explore the traditional farms and the extensive gardens which adjoin the house. Meet and chat with the farmers and their wives as they go about their daily work in the houses, on the land and with the animals. Muckross Traditional Farms take you for a stroll down memory lane to a time before the advent of electricity when all work was carried out using traditional methods. Three separate working farms complete with animals, poultry and traditional farm machinery will help you re-live the past.

There are many other archaeological sites to see in Killarney. Some of the most impressive archaeological remains date from early Christian times however, and the most important of these is the ruined monastery found on Inisfallen Insland in Lough Leane. this monastery was founded in the 7th century by St. Finian the Leper, and was occupied for approximately 700 years.

The second major ecclesiastical site is Muckross Abbey, which was founded in about 1448 by the Observantine Franciscans. It has a tumultuous history and was damaged and reconstructed several times. The inhabitants were persecuted and were often raided by marauding groups. Today the Abbey's most striking feature is a central courtyard which contains a huge Yew tree and is surrounded by a vaulted cloister.

A third major site would be Ross Castle, on the shores of Lough Leane. This is a fine 15th century tower house, once the residence of the chieftain O' Donoghue Mor. It was extended in the 17th century with the attachment of domestic buildings which were used for a time as an army barracks. The castle was restored in recent times and is now open to the public.

As you can see Killarney has many sites for the intrepid historian to explore.

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