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.

Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Peninsula

With it’s versatile terrain, it is clear that the Dingle Peninsula went through many physical changes throughout the years. This is evident in it’s sculpted landscape where mountains, sea-cliffs and coves exist south and west of the peninsula with 32km of sandy coastline to the northern shore.

The Peninsula is home to over two thousand archaeological sites. Here the Gaeltacht is preserved where it is common to speak Irish from day to day. There are so many things to see, to do, to explore, to experience on the Dingle Peninsula, from visiting the many archaeological sites, to swimming with Fungie, a bottlenose dolphin who’s been living at the mouth of Dingle harbour since 1984, to a day spent on the Blasket Islands.

Visitors to Dingle should visit St Mary’s Catholic Church. This is a particularly handsome building of red sandstone designed by JJ McCarthy, the architectural successor of AW Pugin and the leading exponent of the neo-Gothic style of the time. The church was opened in 1865. More recent renovations have altered the distinctive Gothic character of the church, which remains a remarkable building.

Things to Do in Killarney

Things to do in Killarney

Nestled in the heart of Ireland's most scenic countryside, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, woodlands and lakes, Killarney has been immortalised as Beauty's Home, Heaven's Reflex. Killarney's tradition of entertaining visitors began over to hundred and fifty years ago. Tales of the legendary lakes and mountains surrounding the town initiated a wave of tourism that continues to this day. Killarney is an ideal base for touring the Ring of Kerry, Dingle and Tralee.

If you stroll across from the Killarney International Hotel you can explore the 25,000 acres of Killarney National Park, home to thousands of Sika and red Deer. There are endless walking trails through the park, there is no difficulty with access so this is a walker's paradise. Try to climb Carrauntoohil-at 1041 meters, the average time to summit Ireland’s tallest mountain is 4 hours and depending on the approach you take, it can be as leisurely or as challenging as you feel up to. Be sure to get expert guidance and good navigational skills are mandatory. Delve into the history of Killarney with a visit to Muckross House situated on the shores of Muckross lake. Visit The Gap of Dunloe. This amazing sight was forged by shifting Glaciers during the Ice Age and is rugged and wild. We can arrange for you to travel through the Gap and to finish your trip by boat.

One of the most authentic modes of travel Ireland has to offer has to be the Jaunting Car. This is the perfect option to show you the hidden delights of Killarney that will forever captivate you by their beauty and charm. The starting point for all journeys is no more than 20 metres from the door of the International Hotel Killarney. With many of Killarney’s most wonderful sights hidden in the woodland of Killarney’s 25,000 acre National Park, you would be well advised to consider hiring one of these horse drawn carriages.

One of the most famous tourist trails in the world, the spectacular Ring of Kerry, boasts Beaches, Landscape and an ancient heritage found nowhere else. Whether you choose to tour the Ring of Kerry by Car or Coach this trip is a definite "must". Another must when in Kerry is a visit to the Dingle Peninsula, a quaint charming town where the locals still converse in Gaelic.

Visiting golfers must be thankful for the high precipitation levels which helps maintain some of the finest Golf courses in the world. Killarney itself is home to numerous excellent golf courses including 3 championship courses in the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club-Killeen, Mahony's Point & Lackabane. The Ross, Beaufort and Dunloe Golf Clubs are also in Killarney so you will never have to travel to hit the ball. These courses offer all you could desire in parkland or links golfing and you can be assured that everything you need from tee-time reservations to drying rooms will be provided by the staff of the International Hotel.

Sightseeing in Killarney is endless with amazing attractions such as Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Ladies View and Dunloe Castle. For those wanting an active break, the South West of Ireland has some of the best Hill Walking, Climbing and Fishing in Europe. The International Hotel is well serviced by transport - bus, train, and the nearby Kerry Airport. Killarney is a definite place to visit if you are discovering Ireland.