Killarney is surely one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South West of Ireland in Kerry. South and west of the town of Killarney are the world famous Lakes of Killarney. 

Killarney National Park, 10,236 hectares in extent, comprises  the wild natural beauty of the mountains and the woodlands surrounding the Lakes as well as the three Lakes themselves. The Park includes the peaks of Mangerton, Torc, Shehy and the Purple mountains while just to the west of the Park rises MacGillycuddys Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland.

The nucleus of the National Park is the 4,000 hectare Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, formerly known as the Muckross Estate, which was presented to the State in 1932 by Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Bourn and their son-in-law Senator Arthur Vincent to be Ireland's first National Park. In recent years, lands and waters of the former Kenmare Estate have been added, including Knockreer, Ross Island and Innisfallen.

TORC WATERFALL: A short walk up a steep wide footpath leads to the Torc Waterfall, it has a fall of 60 feet/18 metres and the footpath leading up to it offers excellent views over the Killarney lakes. This waterfall is formed by a river which flows from the Punch Bowl high in the mountain and provides a spectacular display after a heavy rainfall.

LADIES VIEW: So named after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who stopped to look at the scenery from this spot during the Queen's visit to Killarney in 1861. The view towards McGillycuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountain Range, with The Upper Lake and all its fairy islands below, is truly magnificent.

GAP OF DUNLOE: Carved by the miltwater of a huge glacier thousands of years ago, the Gap is about seven miles in length with Tomies and Purple mountains on the left and the McGillycuddy Reeks in the right. Many walk or cycle but for the romantic, a journey "Thro' the Gap" in a pony and trap returning by boat via the Killarney Lakes is the only way experience the magic of the Gap - a magnificent unforgettable trip not to be missed.

THE BLUE POOL: This is a nature reserve and perhaps Killarney's little secret. An enclave known mostly to locals, the blue pool is a magical place - its waters are coloured naturally by local limestone & other rocks. It is the halcyon home of local wildlife - sit quietly for a few moments and see kingfishers catching trout in the local pool and squirrels darting in the trees. Turn left at Molly Darcy's pub on the Muckross road for little bit of heaven.

CYCLING BYROADS: Kerry is said to have nearly 2,000 miles of quiet byroads - this is the perfect way to see the beauty of Killarney and Kerry created during the ice-age 10,000 years ago. To see Kerry's most awesome sites cyclists, walkers and joggers - take to the byroads

KNOCKREER HOUSE: Originally the house was built by the Kenmare family in the 19th century, it burned down at the end of the last century. The present house was built in the 1950's Knockreer House contains a park information office and exhibition area open during the summer months. A pleasant pastoral landscape with fine views of the lakes and mountains can be seen from the gardens of Knockreer House.

MOLL'S GAP: See how the rocks at Moll's Gap have been rounded as the glacier from Kenmare moved over them giving that dramatic form. An unforgettable sight - worth seeing.

O' SULLIVANS CASCADE: A walk through Tomies Wood is truly beautiful with many mature trees, with glimpses of the lower lake and of deer. See the spectacular triple waterfall. At the Cascade there are ways both down to the lake and up to open country above. Just beyond the Cascade, along the road there is a splendid view of the lower lake and a delightful place to picnic. Here the legend of "O' Sullivans Cascade" a truly wonderful legend.

DUNLOE CASTLE: Just beside the entrance to Dunloe Castle Hotel is a pathway through the beautiful grounds to the old Dunloe Castle, which is now disagreeably ruined. See how its situated on a bend of the River Laune, with its great motte, dating from 1207, built up beneath. The history and the sight of this spectacular castle is truly breath taking.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRISH TRANSPORT: This museum contains an unique collection of vintage cars and an incredible display of cycles, carriages and over 2,000 transport related items.

KENNEDY'S OPEN FARM, KILLARNEY: This is a 75 acre farm. Visitors will be amused by the wide variety of animals and birds, mature farm machinery and magnificent views.

CASTLE LOUGH: The ruins of this castle lie on the shore of Lough Lein. It was built by the McCarthys from west cork in 1262 and it was destroyed by Cornwell in 1652.

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