Continuing on our way to Killarney, we drove through Limerick, having planned on driving clockwise around the famous Ring of Kerry, making sure to allocate lots of time for the lakes of Killarney. Our first stop in Killarney National Park was Ross Castle, a scenic although rather busy ruin built in the 1400's.

Ross Castle, Killarney, Ireland

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Ireland

After a fairly short time there, we walked in a roundabout way back to Killarney city center, stopping in at the Killarney Race Track, considered Ireland's most scenic horse racing venue. Here are a few pics.

Killarney horse race track, Ireland

Killarney race track viewpoint from starting gate, Ireland

Our next stop along the Ring of Kerry was Muckross House, arguably the center of Killarney National Park. For a place that is highly advertised as a tourist destination, and considering the number of cars in the parking lot, the grounds felt quite open and spacious; I guess that's what happens when the house and gardens sit on 10,000 hectares of space! Here are some photos of both the house itself, and the lovely gardens surrounding it.

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Kerry

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, county Kerry, Ireland

gardens in Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Muckross House gardens, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

monarch butterfly in Muckross House, Killarney National Park

Finally, on our way out of the area, we had a quick stop over at "Ladies View" viewpoint along the eastern most point of the Ring of Kerry.

"Ladies View" lookout point, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

Picture taken, we continued on our way as quickly as possible on the windy and hilly roads, down east and along the south until we reached our final destination of the day, Iskeroon B&B.

08/21/09 by visitEarth
Tags: Ring of Kerry, Ireland, Killarney, Killarney National Park, Muckross House, Ross Castle, Iskeroon