Republic of Ireland, Killarney

Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is in a deep valley in the MacGillicuddy Reeks, beside the Lakes of Killarney and part of the Killarney National Park. It is home to St. Mary's Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, torc waterfall and Innisfallen Island, the location of a ruined monastery. It is a sister city of Cooper City, Florida and Concord, North Carolina.

Thanks to its history, natural interest and proximity to the Dingle Peninsula, Skellig Michael island and its location on the Ring of Kerry, Killarney is a popular tourist destination.

Transport

Killarney is served by National Primary Route N22 (north to Tralee and Castleisland, south to Cork) and National Secondary Route N72 (west to Killorglin, east to Waterford).

There are train services to Tralee, Limerick, Cork and Dublin operated by Iarnród Éireann. Bus Éireann provides bus services to Limerick (and onwards to Dublin), Tralee, Cork, Kenmare and Skibbereen.

Kerry International Airport, in Farranfore between Tralee and Killarney, provides an increasing number of air services. Cork International Airport, easily accessible by bus or rail, also serves the Kerry region.

Sport

Killarney has three Gaelic Football teams: Dr. Crokes, Killarney Legion and Spa. The rural hinterland has a large number of Gaelic Football teams, such as Kilcummin, Fossa, Firies, Glenflesk and Gneeveguilla. All these teams compete in the Kerry County league and the East Kerry Championship (O'Donoghue Cup) and league.

Dr Crokes are the most successful of these teams, with the most notable triumphs being the capture of the All-Ireland Club Championship in 1992 and the Munster Club Championship in 1991 and 1990. The club has also won the County Championship on 6 separate occasions, the last being in 2000.

Dr Crokes are the only club in Killarney with a hurling team, which has had some important successes, most recently winning the Kerry Intermediate Hurling Championship in 1999 and 2001.

Killarney Rugby Club competes in the Munster Junior League Division 3.

Tourism

Tourism is by far the largest industry in Killarney. With the exception of Dublin, there are more hotel beds in Killarney than in any other Irish town or city. Killarney's tourism history goes back at least to the mid 1700s, when Thomas, fourth Viscount Kenmare, began to attract visitors and new residents to the town. The date of 1747 was used in recent 250-year celebrations to honour the history of Killarney tourism. A visit by Queen Victoria in 1861 gave the town international exposure, which it has enjoyed ever since.

Attractions

Lakes of Killarney, Killarney National Park, Muckross House, The Black Valley, Aghadoe]

Ross Castle: this square medieval tower, built by the O' Donoghues on the shores of Lough Lein in the 15th century, is beautifully situated. Now restored, the castle houses a fine collection of 16th and 17th century oak furniture.

Ross Castle is the departure point for boat tours on Lough Lein.

Nightlife

Killarney is a popular destination for partygoers. Killarney's nightspots are often busy seven days a week during the summer months, when the population of the town and the surrounding area increases significantly. The places most commonly visited are Mustang Sallys, McSorleys, Scruffys, Folklore, Charlie Foleys and the Grand Hotel, which is particularly popular with American tourists during the summer.

Rally Of The Lakes

Every year in the first weekend of May the town is host to the Rally of the Lakes.