Click on the activity for more information
Outdoors
Jaunting car, Killarney Town Centre, Killarney National Park, Ross Island, Ross Castle, Boat trip to Inisfallen Island, Coolwood Nature Reserve, Muckross Abbey, Muckross Gardens, Muckross House, Torc Mountain, Torc Waterfall, Dinis,
Sport
Horse riding, Gaelic Football, Pitch & Putt, Hurling, Swimming, Soccer, Badminton, Rugby,
Cultural
Irish dancing, Irish music classes, Traditional Farms, Pottery Workshops, Irish Drama, Traditional Irish Music, Ballad Sessions
Day trips
Crag Cave, Geraldine Centre, Tralee, Dingle, Oceanworld, West Kerry, Bantry, Glengarriff Forest, Bantry House, Moll's Gap, Ladies' View, Cork City,
Jaunting car (See Gallery)
No trip to Killarney would be complete without a spin on one of their world famous jaunting cars. One of the town's most traditional forms of transport, each car comes complete with its own driver known as a Jarvey.
A pleasant and refreshing way to see the area, the cars generally operate on a variety of different routes, taking visitors around all the local beauty spots. Your driver is there to act as a guide along the way, pointing out various places of interest as well as local folklore.
The pick up point for cars in Killarney is on Kenmare Place, just past the town hall. They also congregate in the N71 car park opposite Muckross House and at the Gap of Dunloe.
Killarney town centre (See Gallery)
(Cill Airne: The Church of the Sloes). Sites of interest in the town reflect it's strong religious and educational history. A Church foundation from the 5th or 6th Century, house settlement only really began here from around 1500. You can explore the colorful lane ways, visit the fine cathedral and associated historic buildings and experience the atmosphere of busy streets in the town centre. Many of the lanes in recent times have been repaved which has given them a new vitality. The Bridewell Lane/Green Lane/Pond Lane/Back Lane complex off New Street, a hundred yards on the Cathedral side of the Post Office, is now the most fully lived in lane complex in Killarney and is particularly well maintained and colorful. Some of the lanes off High Street are still cobbled and Barry's Lane has an archway framing the Cathedral. Timmy Buckley (the tailor made famous in the `Tailor and Ansty') learned his craft in Brewery Lane. Bower Lane formerly had the Methodist Manse where William Bourn Higgins grew up. He later became Lord Chief Justice of Australia.
Learn the basic 1-2-3 steps of Irish set dancing and move on to such Irish dances as the Siege of Ennis and the Walls of Limerick. Great fun!
Horse riding
There are several riding stables in Killarney including Muckross Riding Stables ( Irish Tourist Board and A.I.R.E approved) located at the foot of Mangerton Mountain, 3½ miles from Killarney in Muckross, the heart of Killarney National Park. Rides of 1, 2 or 3 hours duration are on offer with horses, cobs and ponies for riders of all ages and capabilities.Hard hats and boots are provided.
Killarney National Park
On a visit to Killarney National Park you will be astounded by the wild natural beauty of the area, which comprises 10,000 hectares of rugged mountainous terrain. The park consists of extensive woodland, valleys, waterfalls and Irelands highest mountain range - The McGillycuddy Reeks. There are four self-guided nature trails including a trail for the visually impaired.
Gaelic Football
Gaelic Football can be described as a mixture of soccer and rugby, although it predates both of those games. It is a field game which has developed as a distinct game similar to the progression of Australian Rules. Indeed it is thought that Australian Rules evolved from Gaelic Football through the many thousands who were either deported or emigrated to Australia from the middle of the nineteenth century. Gaelic Football is played on a pitch approximately 137m long and 82m wide. The goalposts are the same shape as on a rugby pitch, with the crossbar lower than a rugby one and slightly higher than a soccer one.
The ball used in Gaelic Football is round, slightly smaller than a soccer ball. It can be carried in the hand for a distance of four steps and can be kicked or "hand-passed", a striking motion with the hand or fist. After every four steps the ball must be either bounced or "solo-ed", an action of dropping the ball onto the foot and kicking it back into the hand. You may not bounce the ball twice in a row. To score, you put the ball over the crossbar by foot or hand / fist for one point or under the crossbar and into the net by foot or the hand / fist in certain circumstances for a goal, the latter being the equivalent of three points.
Each team consists of fifteen players, lining out as follows: One goalkeeper, three full-backs, three half-backs, two midfielders, three half-forwards and three full-forwards.
Sometimes, called mini-golf, pitch & putt is a very popular activity in Killarney. There are 2 different pitch and putt courses we use. One at the Gleneagle Hotel and one at Deerpark Pitch and Putt club. Each round consists of 18 holes and normally takes between 2 and 3 hours. Pitch & putt is great fun for all form beginners to advanced. You could be the next Tiger Woods.
Crag Cave
"Ireland's most exciting show cave" was discovered in 1983 and is thought to be over a million years old.This natural, all - weather tourist attraction has dramatic sound and lighting effects. It is formed from limestone. The Cave Centre offers a restaurant with home cooking, large souvenir shop, toilets for the disabled, free car and coach park.
The Geraldine Experience recreates medieval Tralee on a market day in the year 1450, and traveling there brings you into the world of the Middle Ages. When the multi-lingual tour is combined with the audio-visual introduction to Ireland and the display of antiquities in the Museum, it gives a vivid interpretation of history which stays fresh in the memory for a long time afterwards.
Tralee
In the vale of Tralee next to the river Lee can be found the town of Tralee, a regional centre for tourism in Ireland. Here you will find there is no shortage of things to do: a plummet down a giant waterslide, a guided tour through a medieval castle, a round of golf on a great course, a boat trip to see 20,000 gannets in colony, a walk or bike ride in Europe's quietest valleys and hills or a visit to a pub to enjoy a meal, a conversation with the friendly locals or the delight of a spontaneous traditional Irish music session.
This is a paradise with miles of beautiful sandy beaches, numerous historic sites, water sports, caving, fishing, or just fun for the kids - there's plenty for all to enjoy.
Walking around Ross Island on a calm misty day with drifts of fog on the lake is quite an experience. This is mainly a walk through deciduous woodland with continually changing vistas of mountains and lakes, a wide variety of native flora and unusual shoreline formations. In addition, there are old copper mines last worked during the Napoleonic wars, but now flooded, that may date back some 4,000 years. Ross Island is a peninsula south of Killarney town which juts into Lough Leane. A combination of a road and pathways circumnavigates Ross Island. These begin along a surfaced road close to Ross Castle. There are some spectacular views of Lough Leane and Tomies mountain.
Ross Castle (See Gallery)
This square medieval tower which was built by the O' Donoghue Mor in the 14th century is beautifully situated on the shores of Lough Lein. Ross Castle was the last significant stronghold in Ireland taken by Cromwellian armies. General Ludlow laid siege to Ross in November of 1652. Realising, he could not maintain the siege over the winter months, he decided to blockade the castle from the lake. With the blockade in place the garrison surrendered without firing a shot. Ross is now one of the finest restored 14th century castles in Ireland. The interior is refurbished in the style of the 17th century with a fine collection of 16th and 17th century oak furniture. Daily guided tours are available during the summer months.
Boat trip to Inishfallen Island
An important education centre since the 11th Century, this 23-acre island contains the remains of a small 11th or 12th C Hiberno-Romanesque church and extensive remains of a 12th Century Augustinian Priory or Abbey. Inisfallen Abbey was erected in the 7th century and remained in operation until the 17th century.The Annals of Inisfallen, the earliest source of Munster history, and now stored in the Bodleian Library, Oxford University were written here. In addition, it is said that Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland in the 11th Century was educated here.
Irish music classes with Ciaran Wynne
'Irish traditional music' is best understood as a very broad term that includes many different types of singing and instrumental music, as performed by Irish people in Ireland or outside it, and occasionally nowadays by people of other nationalities.
The different types however do have in common an essentially 'oral' character, that is, they belong to a tradition of popular music in which song and instrumental music is created and transmitted in performance and carried and preserved in the memory, a tradition which is essentially independent of writing and print. The necessity of being widely understood and appreciated and the nature of human memory govern the structures of the music and its patterns of variation and repetition. Essentially, Irish traditional music is played with traditional instruments such as Bodhran (drum), fiddle, uillean pipes, tin whistle, concertina or accordian. Cia ran Wynne is an outstanding lyrical, musical and vocal Irish talent who has been critically acclaimed both at home and abroad. His new album, Turquoise and Brown, will be launched in the spring 2002
This 50-Acre Wildlife Sanctuary contains 4 Miles of Scenic Walks and boasts a varied array of wildlife such as Waterfowl,Pot Bellied Pigs, Llamas, monkeys and lemurs. There is also a Pet Shop, Children's Playground, Coffee Shop, Picnic Area, Craft Area , Parking and toilets.
Hurling is a game similar to hockey, in that it is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick. It is Europe's oldest field game. When the Celts came to Ireland as the last ice age was receding, they brought with them a unique culture, their own language, music, script and unique pastimes. One of these pastimes was a game now called hurling. It features in Irish folklore to illustrate the deeds of heroic mystical figures and it is chronicled as a distinct Irish pastime for at least 2,000 years.
The stick, or "hurley" (called camán in Irish) is curved outwards at the end, to provide the striking surface. The ball or "sliothar" is similar in size to a hockey ball but has raised ridges.
Hurling is played on a pitch approximately 137m long and 82m wide. The goalposts are the same shape as on a rugby pitch, with the crossbar lower than a rugby one and slightly higher than a soccer one.
The Dingle Peninsula, stretching westward from Tralee, is the most northerly of the hilly promontories of Co. Kerry with the most westerly town in Europe being Dingle. Dingle Peninsula at its most dramatic can be seen by traveling north-eastwards from Dingle town to Tralee, through the magnificent Conor Pass. This brings you past the summit of Mount Brandon, Ireland's second highest peak.
Surrounded by hills on three sides, the harbour town of Dingle is one of the world's natural beauty spots. It has an active fishing fleet, a diving centre, a sailing club, shops, art galleries, traditional craft, excellent accommodation and its own friendly dolphin, Fungi. Dingle town has more than its share of eccentric & colorful pubs & fine restaurants, providing food, entertainment, and traditional Irish music unique to the area
Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, Mara Beo, is set overlooking the spectacular Dingle Harbour and displays the fascinating species of fish and marine creatures, both rare and common, that live in the waters around the Dingle Peninsula. Over 100 species are displayed in tanks, scientifically simulating their own habitats and living in clean fresh water pumped from Dingle Bay.
Dingle Ocean World Aquarium is designed as a voyage from the foot of Brandon mountains to the deepest sea. The voyage is aided by Multi Media screens which follow the footsteps of Saint Brendan, artifacts from Spanish Armada, murals and the exciting array of fish. Highlights include a 9 metre ocean tunnel tank, the touch pool and Irelands first shark tank.
West Kerry Gaeltacht & Dingle Peninsula
This peninsula contains a landscape of blue gold hills and sandy beaches, glorious waterfalls, hidden bays, wondrous rock formations, caves and arches, and busy harbours. It is a land dappled with heather, primroses, bluebells, foxgloves and fuchsia, and smiling faces to welcome you. It is here that films such as "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far and Away" were inspired and it has much to offer people in search of something different.
Spend time in a place rich in tradition, literature and culture, where native Gaelic prospers alongside modern languages, where the perfect harmony created by nature restores the spirit, where you can relax and savour the scenery, the flora and fauna, the art, the crafts, the culture, the archaeology, the wine and food, or just meet the people – the choice is yours!
Muckross Abbey (See Gallery)
The entrance to Muckross Abbey can be found opposite Muckross Park Hotel on the N 71 500metres from the school.ed 1448. Very extensive late Gothic remains.
Originally known as the Monastery of 'Oir Bhealach' or 'Eastern Way' it was founded in 1448 as a base for Franciscan friars. Three of Kerry's four great Gaelic poets are buried inside in the Abbey and the fourth (Piaras Feirtéar) in the graveyard. In the chancel - in the lower grave on the right with the crown above the coat of arms - rests the first and last Earl of Clancarre, McCarthy Mór, King of Munster. Beside his tomb is the high tomb of the O'Donoghue's. The grave closest to the wall behind is O'Sullivan Mór. In 1583 the friars were expelled from the abbey but later returned. The monastery and church were extensively re-constructed in the early 17th Century. The abbey was finally suppressed in 1652 by Cromwellians but friars remained in this area for a further 200 years
Muckross Gardens (See Gallery)
The location and botanical collection make this one of the great gardens of the world. Set among lakes and mountains, it boasts extensive areas of natural rockery, a water garden, large lawns, a 17-acre arboretum, flowers, trees - surrounded by wood . Its fifty acres of garden, flower all year and look particularly stunning in the spring when the daffodils followed by azaleas and great clumps of mature rhododendron, burst into full bloom. In addition, it contains great collections of dwarf and slow-growing conifers, prostrate shrubs ,climbers,alpine perennials, fine mature pines and cedars, cordyline, magnolia, eucalyptus. The eastern wooded garden extension (15M) boasts a canopy of yew and pine shade and a huge range of camellias.
Muckross House (See Gallery)
This stately 65-room Victorian manor house was built by Henry Arthur Herbert in 1843 and visited by Queen Victoria in 1861. Standing majestically on the lake shore in the National Park, Killarney, it now contains a folk museum open to the public (admission charge). The ground and first floors contain a hallway, living room, dining room, bedrooms, Queen's boudoir with Donegal carpets, fine examples of local wood-carving, inlay work, Waterford chandeliers, tapestry, curtains, etc. In the basement are the craft tradesmen's workshops such as the potters, weavers, book-binders etc. There are also displays of other trades. .
Muckross Traditional farms (See Gallery)
A more recent addition, the Muckross Traditional Farm recreates the houses and activities of rural Ireland prior to electrification in the 1930's. While visiting the magnificent outhouses & farm fields, the labourer's cottage, the blacksmiths forge and having a chat with the men and women at work you are guaranteed to think that you are living in the 1930's. At Muckross Traditional Farms, you are invited to take a stroll down memory lane, to a time before the advent of electricity when all work was carried out using traditional methods. You will visit three separate working farms (small, medium and large), each complete with animals, poultry and traditional farm machinery. You will also visit a labourer's Cottage, a Carpenter's Workshop and a Blacksmith's Forge. Meet and chat with the farmers and their wives as they go about their daily work in the houses, on the land, and with the animals. Visitor can also enjoy a complimentary trip aboard the Muckross Vintage Coach which circulates the Farms.
Pottery workshops
Margaret Phelan and her team of skilled Potters have, for over 15 years, produced the very beautiful and unique range of Mucros pottery.
Designed with care, and great attention to detail, this hand-thrown pottery is produced to the very highest standards. Mucros pottery is both practical and durable. Used with care, it is suitable for ovens, dishwashers and microwaves. We produce a complete range of both table and gift ware using our distinctive honey and blue glazes.
The rich glazes are layered, one on another; they combine with sponge motifs and brush work to produce pieces, all of which are unique and individual. Each piece is fired to 1280°c. Why not visit our studio in the Walled Garden Centre at Muckross House? There you can see for yourself our craftspeople at work, from 9 am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Mucros Pottery is on sale in the adjoining Mucros Craft Shop, which is open every day.
Irish drama is renowned the world over with famous writers such as Oscar Wilde GB Shaw, WB Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Sean O Casey. Nicola Bradwell (MA Theatre studies) will give an introduction class to acting and Irish drama
The Aquila Club is one of Irelands premier Hotel leisure facilities. It offers residents a broad array of quality leisure activities. The Aquila Club runs 2 clubs for children packed with various activities at peak holiday times (July, August and School term breaks) There are numerous sporting and leisure activities to take part in from super waterslide sessions to scavenger hunts. Your children will certainly sleep soundly after an energetic day in the Aquila Club.
Soccer skills & games
Join in the fun at the soccer camp with 5-a-side 11-a-side and penalty taking competitions. You could be the next Ronaldo. This activity is for girls as well as boys.
Badminton & Tennis at Ryan's Leisure Centre
The Sports Hall accommodates team and participative sports such as basketball, badminton and indoor soccer. There are two out-door floodlit all weather tennis courts. There is also an indoor gymnasium where a variety of different sports including badminton can be played.
Famous in song, Bantry Bay in West Cork Ireland is of legendary beauty. Bantry, at the head of the bay, is a busy market town and fishing port. Bantry Bay was twice entered by French fleets in 1689 to support James II against William of Orange, in 1796 to aid Wolfe Tone and an Irish uprising. A storm dispersed the 1796 fleet and few of the ships made the Bay.
Glengarriff Forest
The name comes from "An Gleann Garbh" - the rugged glen - which is derived from the rugged beauty of the mountains and wooded valleys surrounding the village. Magnificent views of the Caha Mountains and the bulk of Sugarloaf can be seen from the numerous viewpoints along the roads which hug the coastline or wind along the steep sided valleys.
Bantry House, open to the public, is spectacularly situated and exuberantly furnished. It is one of Ireland's most attractive Great Houses, full of treasures collected by various generations of Earls of Bantry from all parts of the world. In the courtyard of Bantry House, The French Armada Exhibition Centre has been developed. This features the ill-fated French Armada invasion of December, 1796.
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.
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. Panorama takes in the Upper Lake and islands, west-north-west McGillycuddy Reeks, including Carrauntuohill , Ireland's highest mountain, back of the Gap of Dunloe , Middle and Lower Lakes.
Torc Mountain,
Torc mountain overlooks spectacular scenery including Killarney National park, the lakes, the other mountain ranges and Killarney town. Just 650 metres high it takes about 1.5 hours to climb to the top. If the day i sunny this is an excellent activity and very rewarding when you reach the top. You will be driven to the bottom of the mountain.
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.
A further stepped track for 200m through conifer woods takes you up the front slope of Torc Mountain and offers stunning lake panoramas at every turn. Route continues to Queen's Drive car park situated in a mountain amphitheater of peaks and pine trees .
Dinis, and meeting of the waters
This is the point where the waters of the Upper Lake meet those of the Muckross lake (Middle Lake) and Lough Lein at the Old Weir Bridge. Approximately 1 mile past Torc Waterfall on the Kenmare Road, a small car park is provided for visitors - follow the lakeside footpath for about 15 minutes.
The object of the game is to score a try (five points) in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
The game is played between teams of nine players, three of whom and no more will form the scrummage, the remaining six will form the back line. Positions should be interchangeable. The ball can ONLY be passed sideways or backwards. The game is started or restarted from the centre of the field, or after a penalty, with a free pass. The starter's team must be behind the ball (i.e. nearer their own try line than the starter). Before the pass is taken, the opposing team must be 7 metres away nearer its own goal line. If the place for the free pass is given within 7 metres of the goal line, the free pass is to be taken at or behind the mark on a line through the mark at least 7 metres from the goal line.
Cork City is Ireland's third city (after Dublin and Belfast) and has always been an important seaport. It began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee (the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side. Today the river flows through Cork city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. Some of the main streets are built over channels where ships nuzzled their anchor-chains a century ago. Along the South Mall, you will see large gateways at street level, under steps leading to a higher main door. These were once boathouses, when merchants arrived at their warehouses by water. As the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of the citizens. They have a characteristic sing-song cadence, beloved of national comedians, and Corkonians are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish.
Traditional Irish Music sessions
Listen to the different varieties of traditional Irish music such as jigs, reels, hornpipes and slides. Traditional irish music sessions can involve a wide variety of instruments such as guitar, banjo. mandolin, piano and button accordions, fiddles, flutes and anything you care to play.
Listen to the stories of Ireland told through music. In Ireland we say ' Our wars were merry, but our songs were sad'; Listen to the balladeer tell you about the history of Ireland, and tales of love and loss and some funny songs also.
Dance on the Moon
| TO DANCE ON THE MOON is a tale of longing, striving and daring - with the pain and excitement of growing - a love story with the additional spice of Celtic mystery. Enter this magic world where haunting tunes, wild rhythms and the gaiety and thrill of traditional modern Irish dance and music will carry you along on an exciting journey down paths that few have ventured. The moon shines above us, but her influence is subtle. Looking up is perhaps the wrong direction - particularly when the ground under your feet is none too steady. . . |
Liam O Connor Irish Music Show
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Liam O'Connor is one of the most talented and versatile musicians of his generation. A proven master of 20 instruments he has a thirst for creativity and a flair for the dramatic. Bursting out of County Cork, Liam O'Connor is not simply an Irish traditionalist, he is an innovator, an explorer and a catalyst. He doesn't simply stretch boundaries, he kicks them into touch. With his playing he adds another dimension or two and when he is in communication with his instrument he finds depths and subtleties which are rarely even hinted at by other players. |