Parks are one of the most popular attractions, no matter what country one travels to. This is not surprising: most iconic places are located in city centers, where it is noisy and crowded, and at some point, while enjoying the architecture, one wants to be alone with nature. Killarney National Park is a favorite destination for tourists and residents. It is known for its flora and fauna, diverse landscapes and size: Killarney Park is the largest in Ireland: its area is about 100 square kilometers. It is impossible to avoid the admiration of being at one with nature in this place!
About Killarney
Killarney Ireland is a town in County Kerry in the southwestern part of Ireland. There are few locals, about fifteen thousand. The city is recognized as a tourist destination, because even in the "low" season there are two travelers for every local. There are festivals, concerts and rallies all year round. Another magnet for travelers is the large number of architectural monuments: museums, monuments, cathedrals, abbeys. Despite the year-round presence of tourists and constant entertainment events, the city has maintained a quiet and cozy homelike atmosphere.
Killarney National Park - History
Kerry is famous for its unique nature, which you can enjoy in Killarney National Park. The park is located near the town of the same name and covers an area of 100 square kilometers. Like most Irish attractions, the history of this natural area is very curious. It began in 1839, when the Herbert family built the family estate in these parts - a 45-room house was completed in four years. Over the century, several generations of the Herbert family planted a quaint garden around the estate, and in 1932, Senator Arthur Vincent recognized the estate as public and allowed its citizens to visit. That year, 1932, is considered the founding year of the park.
Killarney Park - a tourist gem
Even in challenging weather conditions, Killarney National Park attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Main attractions:
- Three lakes - the Upper, Middle and Lower. Their origin is glacial, and the water here is icy year-round.
- Relics of age-old forests, which like necklaces surround the marshes. More often you can see unique species of trees that do not grow anywhere else in the world.
- Tork Falls, which is 18 meters high
- The highest in Ireland and the most popular tourist attraction is McGillicuddy, which is 1000 meters high.
- A 15th-century fortress with a small but cozy cafe.
The flora and fauna of the park are unique:
- Deer, beavers, squirrels, badgers, martens, and wood mice inhabit the wildlife here.
- Lakes are inhabited by finches and shad.
- Blackbirds, white-bearded geese, wrens, falcons, and flying nests.
- Oak trees, strawberry trees, different kinds of ferns, etc. grow for centuries.
Interesting facts
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It is possible to move around the park in different ways: it is offered hiking trails, you can rent cars, bicycles, mini-buses.
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In 1983 the park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
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In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II visited Killarney National Park.