Killarney-Nationalpark

The Killarney National Park ( Irish: Páirc Náisiúnta Chill Airne ) is situated in County Kerry in the southwest of the Republic of Ireland, on the Iveragh Peninsula.

The more than 100 km ² national park is adjacent to the town of Killarney and includes three lakes Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake, a total make up an area of ​​22 km ² of the park. One can find one of the oldest of the remaining oak forests of Ireland. In addition to the oaks in the park just as lush yew trees, mosses, lichens and ferns. As in the Southwest of Ireland can be found due to the Gulf Stream influence in the national park numerous flowering plants, as they are otherwise only known from the Mediterranean, such as the shrubby strawberry trees and large-growing rhododendron bushes. The Rhododendron has become in recent years become a problem for the park. In the mild, humid climate he finds ideal growing conditions and now threatens to overrun large parts of the park. With the help of work camps tried to stem the plague.

As a center of tourism in Killarney National Park, Muckross House you can call. Built in 1843 mansion of Herbert family can be visited and is located in a picturesque location on the shores of Muckross Lake, surrounded by manicured lawns, a beautiful flower and a rock garden.

Close to Muckross House is a tourist center was built, from which you can visit the Kerry County Life Experience. The visitors get there insight into rural life in 1930 and can watch craftsmen at work.

From Muckross House you can explore the area by uniaxial horse or on foot. Much visited destination is the Torc Waterfall. On a spit of land in Lough Leane is the Tower House Ross Castle, where you can gain an insight into the everyday life of a clan chief.

The island Innisfallen Iceland can be visited with its remains of the once mighty monastery Innisfallen Abbey. An overview of the Upper Lake is obtained from the Ladies' View, a popular tourist stop on the Ring of Kerry, the already the ladies took advantage of Queen Victoria. Furthermore, there is an extensive network of marked hiking trails, skirting around the lakes and on the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

Parts of the park are crossed by the remote Kerry Way walking route.

View of the Muckross House from behind

The Torc Waterfall