Vive la LIFE: The Wonders of Killarney

I have a story for the beginning of my stay in Killarney. I didn't realize that the town was as large as it was and when I arrived I had no clue how to get to my hotel. I had no idea where was and as I drove a bit into town I realized that I needed help. I pulled over and plugged in my GPS, which of course didn't help me at all (it couldn't find me in Killarny, then it could not find my hotel in relation to where it could not find me). So I said a little prayer for help and told myself that I would stop at the first petrol station that I could find. I had to turn at the next light to find one (that is nerve racking to be turning the wrong way) but I stopped at the petrol station on the corner and this really nice older gentleman (I noticed that most of the gas stations were manned by nice older gentleman) smiled at me and said, "Well, it is just down this street. Go about 3 miles and you will see a large entry way, you cannot miss it". Talk about an answer to a prayer. There is no way that I would have found my way with out the help from that prayer. It made me realize that someone was watching over me. After I checked in, I asked the nice attendant at the desk what there was that I could see and she pointed me in the direction of Killarney National Park. It was just 3 miles down the road and was packed full of beautiful sites. I parked my car and walk the first kilometer to Muckross Abby.

Founded in 1440 as a Franciscan Friary, Muckross Abbey has an exciting and violent history typical of Ireland. In 1589 the monks were expelled by Elizabeth I, and in 1653 Oliver Cromwell's troops burnt it down when he reclaimed Ireland for the English bringing to an end the Irish Confederate Wars. Despite this setback, the friars continued to live here until 1698 when the new Penal Laws against Roman Catholics introduced by the English occupiers forced most in exile in France or Spain. These days it is a ruin but one of the most complete examples of Irish medieval church building.

Today, the Abbey still has its bell tower and church, and massive Gothic arcades and arches. Four of Ireland's leading poets of the period were buried there, three in the church, one in the nearby cemetery. In the centre of the inner court is an old Yew tree. This grew from a sapling taken from the abbey on Innisfallen Island and planted in the new abbey at Muckross. In turn, a slip from this tree was planted at the abbey in Killarney Town.

Massive Gothic arcades and arches

Bell Tower

Yew Tree

View of the Abbey and ground

From Muckross Abbey, I traveled 1.5 km to Muckross house. I was adventurous and took the long way.

Walking through the woods to Muckross house.

Beautiful, gorgeous, wish you were here...

After going my 1.5 km I turned the corner...

My third Dream House

...and had my first glimpse of Muckross House. Queen Victoria gave advance notice that she would visit, in 1861, and the Herberts worked for almost 10 years to prepare for her visit. This preparation for this visit - in hopes of a reward from the queen (a title?) financially ruined the Herbert family.

Arthur Guiness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, bought the estate to help preserve the area from developers. The Bourns subsequently bought the estate as a present for their daughter, Maud, upon her marriage to Senator Arthur Vincent. After she died, the Vincents and Bourns gifted the estate to Ireland, which was the basis of Killarney National Park. I missed being able to tour the place by minutes, but the grounds were amazing (but my pictures were not).

Front View

Side View

Not understanding that there was a lot more to see, I started to go back to my car when I was stopped by a guy with a horse and cart. For 20 euro he would drive me up to the falls but hey, why drive when you can walk for free. Again this 2 km showed some amazing scenery.