KILLARNEY VALLEY TOUR - ITINERARY
​
The Killarney Valley tour is a day tour which traverses Ireland's best known and most admired beauty spots. Killarney's combination of epic mountains, sparkling lakes, ancient forest lands and attractive waterfalls are without equal in Ireland.
​
Following pick up from your accommodation the tour proceeds along segments of the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way as follows:
​
Aghadoe
​
The Aghadoe viewing point provides the most picturesque, sometimes atmosperic and expansive view of the mountains, mountain passes, lakes and islands of the region. The ruins of 13th century Parkavonear Castle and of "Aghadoe Cathedral," - an old Romanesque church in ruins - also makes this spot popular with tourists and archaeologists.
​
Killarney and Ross Castle
In the town we pay a visit to St. Mary's Cathedral - designed by the renowned English Architect Augustus Pugin. The west end is very Irish in character, with three tall lancet windows and a very low entrance door beneath. The former Kenmare Desmene nearby is part of the National Park and features Killarney House and Gardens and Knockreer House. Ross Castle is a 15th-century tower house and keep build right on the shore of Lough Leane largest of Killarney's lakes.The castle is typical of strongholds of Irish chieftains built during the Middle Ages. It was one of the last to surrender to Oliver Cromwell during the Irish Confederate wars. It is extremely well maintained by the Irish Office of Public Works.
​
The Killarney National Park
​
South and west of the town lies an expanse of rugged mountainous country including the 1000m McGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. Where these mountains sweep down to the lake shores, their lower slopes covered in exotic woodlands, lies the Killarney National Park . Here the distinctive combination of mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls under ever changing skies gives the area it's spectacular scenic beauty. A beauty celebrated throughout the world in prose, song and poetry; and best enjoyed from Ladies View. We travel via Torc Waterfall to the focal point of the National Park for visitors; Muckross Abbey, Muckross House and Gardens.The house is presented as a late 19 th century mansion featuring all the necessary furnishings and artefacts of this period. Muckross Gardens and Arboretum - spread along the eastern shore of Muckross lake - are internationally recognised for their plant collections, including many tender and southern hemisphere species which thrive here in the mild climate. The Traditional Farms offer an experience of Irish countryside life 1940s. The farms include cottages, farm animals, fresh bread and butter making and a schoolhouse. Muckross Abbey is the major ecclesiastical sites in the National Park. Founded in the 15th century as a Franciscan friary it has had a violent history and has been damaged and reconstructed many times