Location: Killarney, Kerry County Map
Area: 102.89 km2 (25,420 acres)
Killarney National Park is a nature reserve near
Killarney, Kerry County in Ireland. Killarney National Park covers
an area of 102.89 km2 (25,420 acres). The National Park, which is
more than 100 km2, borders the town of Killarney and includes the
three lakes Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake, which make up
a total area of 22 km2 of the park. There is one of the oldest
remaining oak forests in Ireland. In addition to the oaks grow in
the Park equally lush yews, mosses, lichens and ferns. As in the
whole of south-west Ireland, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream
in the National Park, there are numerous flowering plants, as they
are known only from the Mediterranean, for example the shrub-like
strawberry trees and large-growing Rhododendron shrubs. The
Rhododendron has become a Problem for the Park in recent years. In
the mild, humid climate it finds ideal growth conditions and now
threatens to overgrow large parts of the park. With the help of
Workcamps one tries to contain the plague.
Muckross House is the tourist centre of Killarney National Park. The
Herbert family mansion, built in 1843, is located in a picturesque
location on the banks of Muckross Lake, surrounded by well - kept
lawns, a beautiful flower garden and a stone garden.
Close to Muckross House, a tourist centre has been built, from which
you can visit the Kerry County Life Experience. The visitor gets an
insight into rural life around 1930 and can watch craftsmen at work.
From Muckross House you can explore the area by horse-drawn carriage
or on foot. The popular destination is the Torc Waterfall. The Tower
House Ross Castle is located on a promontory in Lough Leane, where
you can get an insight into the everyday life of a clan chief.
The island of Innisfallen Island can be visited with its remnants of
the once mighty monastery Innisfallen Abbey. An overview of Upper
Lake can be obtained from the Ladies’ View, a popular tourist stop
at the Ring of Kerry, which was used by Queen Victoria's court
ladies. Furthermore, a well-developed network of signposted Hiking
trails lead around the lakes and on the Slopes of the surrounding
mountains.
Parts of the park are crossed by the Kerry Way long-distance hiking
trail.