Main attractions of South West Ireland
The beauty of Killarney has been the inspiration of poets, scholars and painters for many centuries. Its natural aspects and clean environment is unchanged since it was traversed by many literary greats - Tennyson and Wordsworth and Macauly.
- Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
- Ross Castle
- Blarney Castle
- Derrynane House & National Historic Park
- Millstreet Country Park
- Glanleam Gardens
Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
Relive the past with a visit to Muckross House and Gardens - a magnificent Victorian Mansion where the elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed gentry. See the National Park and the Lakes of Killarney by traditional jaunting car from here. Nearby witness the lifestyles and farming traditions of a rural working community in the 1930s carrying out their daily tasks. The Killarney Valley is steeped in culture, history and heritage, with ancient sites & ruins dating back to the Pre-Christian era. Within Killarney National Park, there are Bronze Age copper mines, the monastic site of Innisfallen, the fifteenth century tower house known as Ross Castle, the Franciscan Friary of Muckross Abbey of the same period, estate mansions and picturesque cottages.
Situated in south-west Ireland, close to the most westerly point in Europe, the National Park includes over 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of mountain, woodland, waterways, parks and gardens. For the active, walking and cycling are two of the best ways to see the National Park. The network of surfaced tracks in the Muckross, Knockreer and Ross Island areas are ideal for both cyclists and walkers, and bicycles can be rented from many locations in and around Killarney Town.
Muckross House is one of Ireland's most popular visitor attractions, this magnificent Victorian Mansion was built in 1843 and forms the centrepiece of the equally renowned Killarney National Park. The elegantly furnished family rooms in the upper floors and the spartan service quarters in the basement clearly depict the 'upstairs-downstairs' divide of that era. The Gardens are renowned world-wide for their beauty and in particular they are noted for their fine collection of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, extensive Water Garden and an outstanding Rock Garden hewn out of natural limestone.
The nearby Muckross Traditional Farms are full working examples of rural life in the 1930's. Take a stroll down memory lane to a time before the advent of electricity when all work was carried out using traditional methods. Meet and chat with the farmers and their wives as they go about their daily working in the houses, on the land and with the animals. Together with the craft workshops in Muckross House, the superb extensive Gardens and the surrounding National Park, this is an area of intense beauty and historical interest. An experience not to be missed and never to be forgotten.
Muckross House is open all year and the Traditional Farms are open May - September with limited opening during Mar-April - October. Entrance to the National Park and Muckross Gardens is free.
Beyond the House and Gardens, the visitor is spoilt for choice. Outdoor lovers can enjoy a serenity unequalled anywhere in the world, where nature trails and walks abound, enough to keep you busy for a week. Experience the best of ancient castles and abbeys, gushing cascades, rugged hills, and sparkling lakes: - Torc Waterfall, Dinis Cottage, The Meeting of the Waters and Old Weir Bridge, The Killarney Lakes, Knockreer Demense, Ross Island, Innisfallen Island, O'Sullivans Cascade, The Muckross Peninsula & Ladies View to name but a few.
For the energetic, whether its horse riding pursuits, hill walking, horseracing, climbing the Macgilliduddy Reeks or visiting Innisfallen Island with its historic abbey - all are splendidly catered for in Killarney.
Ross Castle
Ross Castle is the ideal gateway to the lakes for boating, cruising or fishing for trout and salmon. Original home to the O'Donoghue Ross Chieftains in the 15th century and believed to be the last significant fortress to fall to Cromwell's armies in Ireland, Ross Castle has been magnificently restored to its former glory. The Castle houses a fine collection of 16th and 17th century oak furniture. 
Standing on the shores of Lough Leane, Ross Castle 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 with guided tours from April to October inclusively. Blarney Stone & Castle
Blarney Castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidir McCarthy as a defensive fortress. What is known as the Castle today, is in fact the keep of a much larger fortress. All visitors to the Castle should kiss the famous Blarney Stone. It is said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it.
The Rock Close, part of the Castle grounds is also open to the public and is well worth visiting. This is a curiously interesting place of old trees. By legend, the gardens are of Druid origin and were a centre of worship in pre-Christian times. Within the Rock Close area there survives a Dolmen or ancient burial place. Picnic areas have been provided in the Rock Close on the banks of the River Martin. The opening times for the castle is normally Monday to Saturday.
Derrynane House & National Historic Park
Situated on the south Kerry Atlantic Coast, Derrynane House and Park is the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell and contains many relics of O'Connells life and career.
Millstreet Country Park
Situated 30km from Killarney, this 202 hectare Nature and Leisure Park makes for a fascinating visit with gardens, walks, waterways, waterfalls, lakes, archaeological sites, deer farm, birds and other wildlife, visitor /audio visual centre. Open seven days from March o November.
Glanleam Gardens
Glanleam was the home of the Knights of Kerry. Sir Peter Fitzgerald, the 19th Knight, realised the almost frost free conditions. He laid out 40 acres of a subtropical garden around Glanleam House in a wild Robinsonian style, interplanting natural habitats with exotics. This, along with recent extensive additions, have resulted in an enchanted garden, a subtropical paradise, a rain forest and a jungle all at the same time. Glanleam is famous for Southern Hemisphere & Asian plants thriving in the mild climate of Valentia Island. Follow us on 
