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Individual ActivitiesClick 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 Cultural Irish dancing, Irish music classes, Traditional Farms, Pottery Workshops, Traditional Irish Music, Ballad Sessions Day trips Crag Cave, Geraldine Centre, Tralee, Dingle, Oceanworld, West Kerry, Moll's Gap, Ladies' View, Cork City, Jaunting car (See Gallery)
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 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.
Tralee 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.
Ross Castle (See Gallery)
Tim is from Killarney in the south west of Ireland. He
has been working solo, and in several bands since the late 1980's.
Tim's repertoire draws from the dance music of his native Sliabh
Luachra and West Kerry folk traditions and the singing of Irish and
Scottish performers like Jimmy McCarthy, Paul
Brady, Dick Gaughan and Andy M.
Stewart.
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 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
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)
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.
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 .
Tag Rugby
Cork City
Traditional Irish Music sessions
Liam O Connor Irish Music Show
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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. 
(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! 
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. 
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. 
"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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. . 
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. 
Margaret Phelan and her team of
skilled Potters have, for over 15 years, produced the very beautiful
and unique range of Mucros pottery. 
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. 
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. 
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.
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. 
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 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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
