Killarney Ireland

This is coming a little late but still worth a mention…back in July 2007 Killarney won a cross-border (i.e. Republic and Northern Ireland) environmental competition to take the title of Ireland’s Best Kept Large Town 2007.

Entrants were subject to strict adjudication criteria that included cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment.

Official press release from the Irish Department of the Environment

Course Director Con Moriarty describes the event,

“This race allows teams to explore the most rugged mountain and ocean scenery in Ireland – the wild passes and deep valleys of our five southernmost peninsulas. The entire route is rich in archaeology and passes through areas of spiritual importance to ancient Ireland. I was born and raised roaming these landscapes, and I’m very excited to be part of a team that may redefine adventure racing.”

Organised by a passionate team of local adventurers who are experienced at delivering high quality adventure races, An Turas Mor has its roots deep in the community and is organised by those who know and love the area.

Disciplines include: Mountain biking, sea-kayaking, mountaineering/trekking, swimming, horse riding, orienteering/micro navigation, traditional boat rowing, and ropes – including the longest zip wire ever in an ARWorld Series event, spanning the famous Gap of Dunloe pass. One or two unique mystery events will also be included.

Takes place from June 15-22, 2008, for more details (and prizes) see the official website of An Turas Mór

Moll’s Gap, a traditional Irish band, plays Tell Me Ma at Murphy’s Bar in Killarney, Ireland.

Click to see original photo, courtesy of Katie Mulligan

Traumatized and dispassionate about horses in general Rob Ryan returns triumphant to the saddle in Killarney spurred on by his wife and daughters.

And so I found myself standing in the stirrups, mud flying around me, ducking as we powered through a thicket of oaks, a strange noise in my ears. That was me, whooping.

As a bonus Rob also lists where they stayed and the best places in Killarney for riding lessons and excursions.

There can’t be many places in the world that celebrate a goat every year for forewarning the locals of the impending arrival of the heinous English Cromwellian hordes.

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Killarney National Park took delivery of 15 White Tailed Sea Eagles after an absence of around 100 years.

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Following five years of great success this years Summerfest sees an expanded program of events for all tastes from family-oriented to rockers and Irish Dance aficionados.

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There’s no better way to know ‘what its like’ to visit Killarney than to read a fellow traveler’s first hand experience. In this article Stephanie describes her voyage to Inishfallon Island, her visit to Ross Castle but the best part is her hike up Mangerton Mountain (almost 900 meters) where she drinks from a crystal lake and describes a thorny encounter with a Gorse bush.

The rest of her website chronicles her 2 month trip through Limerick, Galway and Cork. Its such a good read that she can be forgiven for describing off-season in Killarney as “filled with little old Irish people, many speaking Gaelic around the tourists to confuse us all”.

The good folks over at An Ríocht report Ryanair’s summer flight schedule. For those of you who don’t know Ryanair is a cheap (in every sense) airline serving Europe only.

Straight from An Ríocht:

“Ryanair will re-commence their popular second daily flight from Kerry Airport to London Stansted early this year on the 17th of April.

Flight times will be (Departing Kerry - Mon to Fri 8:15 & 18:15, Sat 8.15 & 17:30, Sun 8.15 & 14:50). (Departing London - Mon to Fri 6.20 & 16:20, Sat 6.20 & 15:35, Sun 6.20 & 12:55). Flight times are subject to change, please check all flights on www.ryanair.com.

Ryanair have also confirmed that they will increase the frequency of the Frankfurt Hahn flight from four days a week to every day from the 7th of April.

New Flight times will be (Departing Kerry - Mon to Sun @ 12.05). (Departing Frankfurt Hahn - Mon to Sun @ 10.40). ”

The Killarney International Youth Hostel (part of the ‘An Óige’ group) is an impressive 18th century mansion set on 75 acres of gardens and forest overlooking the mountains ringing Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry.

This 4-star hostel is very popular with individuals as well as groups and families. The staff are a great source of advice on trips and activities in the immediate vicinity of Killarney as well as Kerry and throughout Ireland. Free information and maps are available for cyclists, walkers and motorists keen to explore the kingdom of Kerry.

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