Fun things to do in Killarney

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Muckross House had three private owners, the house was built in 1843 for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife Mary, when Herbert got into deep debt, the house was sold to Lord Ardilaun of the Guinness family in 1899. The last owner was American Williams Bowers Bourn who bought it as a wedding present for his daughter Maud in 1911, when she died unexpectedly in 1929 he donated the estate to Ireland and it became Ireland's first National Park

Muckross House is visited by guided tour only but we only had to wait about 10 minutes for the next tour. Our guide could have very well been a robot as her speech was obviously memorized and her speaking tone with little to no inflection. Admission is included on the Heritage Card. The traditional farm at the same location is NOT included on the Heritage Card, we didn't have enough time to see it so we passed on that part of the grounds. The tour takes approximately 55 minutes.

One of the interesting things the guide did point out, albeit in a monotone, was the windows on the downstairs of the house, back then there was a tax on large windows but when Queen Victoria was scheduled to make a visit they swapped out the small downstairs windows for large ones. The Queen gave them 6 years notice of her visit and the family spent thousands of pounds on redecorating and repairs hoping to get a title out of a successful visit. Unfortunately for the family, her husband, Prince Albert, died soon afterwards and the Queen forgot all about them and her visit here.

I did happen to note that this was one sight that was handicap accessible as we did have someone with a wheelchair on our tour, there are elevators throughout the house and most of the rooms are accessible.

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From Ross Castle we kept heading west on N71, away from Killarney, until we reached Ladies View, a scenic overlook on the Upper Lake and all of it's channels running into the other lakes in Killarney National Park. The name Ladies View comes from Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting who said this was the finest view in the land. After taking in the view, we turned around and headed back towards Killarney to go see Torc Waterfall and Muckross House before starting on the Ring of Kerry.

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I have included this tip under "things to do" because, if you're not actually staying here, you should make a point of going for lunch or drinks or dinner. The grounds of this hotel are situated right on the banks of the lake and as far as hotels go the view here is spectacular.

There's a big long bar where you can sit for drinks or pub food, with doors that open onto the gardens and patio areas. Plenty of tables and chairs are provided for eating and drinking outdoors and as the warm Irish summer sun makes your face glow you can gaze across the gardens to the lakes, the mountains, and the sky.

There are ruins of an old castle just at the water's edge and it makes a short but romantic walk to stroll out there, climb the old stone steps, and drink in the view.

I watched an elderly man order a bottle of champagne. I waited for his wife to arrive, but he sat alone reading the paper and sipping his bubbly drink. A sad smile crossed his face and after a while he gave the bottle of champagne to some other guests. It made me realise how so many people have so many memories of Killarney.

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In practically all of the touristic areas of Kerry you will find that the jaunting car is the mode of transport that is most practical. A jaunting car is, essentially, a horse pulling an open cart in which up to five passengers plus that driver ride.

The reason it's most practical is that it is the only mode of transport that is allowed open access through the grounds of Killarney National Park, daytime access through the Gap of Dunloe, etc. As these can be long walks and only for the brave and ernest hiker, the jaunting car is to be recommended.

Apart altogether from being practical, it's great fun. Generally you will get a potted history of the area from your "driver". You can agree both a price and a desired route with them in advance. I found the younger drivers to be both least expensive and most informative - many of them are tourism students and all are from the immediate area. The carts are all locally owned.

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There are two types of boating trips on the lakes - the glass covered boat that traverses the big lower lake and then the one we chose - the open wooden boat with a small motor on the back. In my opinion, this is the most fun.

We first of all took a jaunting car to the old stone boathouse, though we could well have walked the couple of mile through the grounds of Muckross Park. There's a blackboard hanging from the boathouse that tells you what time the boat is due. As we stood and waited we enjoyed the peace of the lake and the trees and chatted to other waiting would be sailors.

By the time the boat arrived the rain had started and most of the other people had drifted away. We clambered on board and donned life jackets as we positioned ourselves on the wooden planks that were seats.

As we crossed the lake the winds whipped at our hair, pulling at our jackets, and the rain beat our faces. At times we came confused between which was rain and which the spray from the lakes. At one stage the lake got especially choppy as we rose up into the air and then down with a bang! Exhilerating.

At the other side of the lake we tied up for half an hour or so at Dinis tea rooms (see seperate review) for hot Irish coffees.

The return trip seemed far quicker than the other and I admit that we were a little sad when it was all over.

At €10 per adult and €5 for children it was good value for money and lots of fun.

As Killarney is the tourist capital of Southern ireland, it has many excellent hotels and most of them have equally excellent spas.

The one that I visited recently was the Molton brown spa at the Killarney Plaza hotel. It's situated at the lower level of the hotel and is a haven of peace and quiet. Treatment rooms are in little spacious capsules of delicate scent and they are so exclusive that you're not even allowed have a look unless you're having a treatment.

The treatment menu is divided into the four seasons, with therapies complimentary to each season.

There's also an extensive stock of Molton Brown products which are for sale to both spa users and members of the public.

Molton Brown doesn't come cheap, but you get what you pay for!!! I have to recommend the Heavenly Tigerlily body shimmer perfume and oil range!! It does what it says on the tin, and leaves you feeling scented and shimmery.

You don't have to "go" anywhere in Killarney, just walk the streets!

The shops open very late, street traders ply their wares, and buskers provide equal if not better entertainment than many of the bars.

It would be a great place to go if you were on a tight budget as the street entertainment is free.

Also, as this part of Ireland has perhaps the mildest weather in the country, it's a pleasant place for a walk at any time of day or night.

bicycle from town to ross castle, tour castle and then boat trip with bikes across Killarney lakes.(1.5hrs) bike or push as we did uphill to gap of dunloe(p.s. pack a light lunch and water/drinks) tiring to us but well worth it when we reached the top. all downhill from here.(at least 30 minutes) looked like Lord of the Rings movie set, especially when skies look menacing.
alternative to Ring of Kerry if you want more self adventure

Guinness is waiting after your bike return!!!