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| Traditional cottage at the Killarney Park |
Besides being a gorgeous town, Killarney is the starting point of some of Ireland's most beautiful natural wonders.
The town is spreading next to a lake and a mountain range. It has a large and beautiful park, which is worth a visit as an introduction to the other natural sites of County Kerry.
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| Killarney Park |
The park is on the edge of the town, near Killarney Lake.
No cars are allowed inside the park. So you can either go there on a bicycle, decide to get a ride on a traditional horse-drawn cart, or simply hike.
The best time to go would be in the late afternoon to get the sunset lights.
It is possible to see deer in this park.
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| Deer grazing |
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One way of exploring the park
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| View of Killarney Park |
As you drive south towards the mountain range, the countryside becomes more dramatic and is considered as one of the most beautiful sights of Ireland.
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| A view of Killarney National Park |
The natural beauty of the area has been protected and is part of a National Park with many smaller lakes in a large mountain valley.
One of the most famous viewpoints is called Ladies'View:
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| Ladies'View |
The road climbs a bit more until you reach Moll's Gap and start descending to the Atlantic coast and the Ring of Kerry.
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Molls Gap scenery
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Kenmare is a seaside port town at the end of Kenmare Bay. Here, there is a pre-Celtic stone circle worth seeing.
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| Kenmare Stone Circle |
Along the south ridge road of the Ring of Kerry, there are a few interesting villages to visit or stop at for a break.
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Souvenir shop
But the real attraction remains the beauty of the landscape. Instead, of driving all around the peninsula, I chose to return via the inland road that cuts across the Ring of Kerry.
At Waterville, a small country road offers a shortcut up to the northern coast of the Ring of Kerry at Killorglin.
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A typical pub
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| Panoramic view of the Ring of Kerry southern coast |
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| Ring of Kerry countryside |
This country road offers a different aspect of the Ring of Kerry. It leaves the valley to go up the mountain at Ballaghisheen Pass. Then, it drives around a pristine lake, Ballycullane Lake, which is a fishing paradise for trout and salmon.
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| Ballycullane Lake |
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| Full itinerary on the Ring of Kerry |
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