Killarney - Cill Airne - meaning "church of sloes"

Introduction

Visitors have been coming to Killarney for almost 200 years so the scenic areas (and most photogenic) are well known locally. These places have been linked along routes or tours over the years. Some routes are better than others - the Gap of Dunloe tour is a lesser known gem of Killarney.
The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region is home to St. Mary's Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall and Gap of Dunloe.

Killarney's tourism history goes back at least to the mid 1700s, when Thomas, fourth Viscount Kenmare, began to attract visitors and new residents to the town. The date of 1747 was used in recent 250-year celebrations to honour the history of Killarney tourism. A visit by Queen Victoria in 1861 gave the town international exposure, which it has enjoyed ever since. In the Summer months, Killarney is busy with tourists perusing the town's numerous shops and tourist attractions. Many shops are tourist oriented with many gift shops around the town. The town centre also offers a wide range of hotels, pubs and restaurants to cater for every requirement. Killarney is also famous for its jaunting cars (horse drawn carts) operated by local jarvies. Tourists can avail of jaunting car rides and a guided tour of the town's attractions offered by the jarvies.

A beautiful stag bounding in the Killarney Lakes

Nightlife

Killarney is a popular destination for partygoers. Killarney's nightspots are often busy seven days a week during the summer months, when the population of the town and the surrounding area increases significantly.

Getting here

Killarney is served by National Primary Route N22 (north to Tralee and Castleisland, south to Cork) and National Secondary Route N72 (west to Killorglin, east to Waterford).

There are train services to Tralee, Limerick, Cork and Dublin operated by Iarnród Éireann.
Bus Éireann provides bus services to Limerick (and onwards to Dublin), Tralee, Cork, Kenmare and Skibbereen. Killarney railway station opened on 15 July 1853.

Kerry Airport, in Farranfore between Tralee and Killarney, provides an increasing number of air services. Cork & Shannon Airport, easily accessible by bus or rail, also serve the Kerry region.

Accommodation

Killarney is a bound with great accommodation options - from 5 star right down to hostel & camping options. With such a wide choice all needs are catered for.

Frommers Guide

Here's what Frommers thought of us -  http://www.frommers.com/destinations/killarney/A27370.html

Is there a guide book available in Killarney?

Kerry Gems - http://www.kerrygems.com- offers a fantastic free guide to Killarney and the south west region. This is widely available at all good shops in the Killarney region and wouldn't you know it - we are on the front cover

The weather

The most talked about subject in Ireland - unfortunately it is the one thing we cannot control - however rain or shine Killarney has the most facilities of any town in Ireland with many pools, day spas and gymnasiums to help you get through a rainy day.