Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [240]
Internet Resources
CorkKerry (www.corkkerry.ie) A useful resource for accommodation & information throughout the southwest.
Killarney (www.killarney.ie) Official site for the town; lots of tourism links.
Laundry
Gleeson’s ( 064-663 3877; Brewery Lane; per 6kg €12; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat)
Left Luggage
Left-luggage office ( 064-663 7509; per bag €2; 7am- 6pm) At the bus station shop, inside the mall.
Libraries
Killarney Library ( 064-663 2655; Rock Rd; 10am-5pm Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, 10am-8pm Tue & Thu)
Medical Services
The closest accident and emergency unit is at Tralee General Hospital.
SouthDoc ( 1850-335 999; Upper Park Rd) Doctors outside surgery hours; 500m east of the centre.
Money
Many banks have a bureau de change, an ATM, or both. The tourist office has a bureau de change.
Post
Killarney Post Office ( 064-663 1461; New St; 9am-5.30pm Mon & Wed-Sat, from 9.30am Tue)
Toilets
There are public toilets on Kenmare Pl.
Tourist Information
Guide Killarney ( 064-663 1108; www.guidekillarney.com) is a good annual local guide filled with artful maps (form over function) and mountains of excellent info and background. It’s marked ‘€5’ but can be found for free all over town.
Tourist office ( 064-663 1633; www.corkkerry.ie; Beech Rd; 9am-8pm Jun-Aug, 9.15am-5pm Sep-May) Busy, but efficient; can handle almost any query, especially dealing with transport intricacies.
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SIGHTS
The real attraction in Killarney, and the reason to come, is Killarney National Park. The town itself can be easily explored on foot in an hour or two.
Built between 1842 and 1855, St Mary’s Cathedral ( 064-663 1014; Cathedral Pl), which sits at the western end of New St, is a superb example of neo-Gothic revival architecture. The cruciform building, designed by Augustus Pugin, was inspired by Ardfert Cathedral, near Tralee.
At the northern end of High St is a memorial to those who fought for the Republic, erected by the Republican Graves Association in 1972. With a determination reflecting the implacable hope for a united Ireland, the inscription reads: ‘This memorial will not be unveiled until Ireland is free.’
On Fair Hill is an 1860s Franciscan friary, displaying an ornate Flemish-style altarpiece, some impressive tile work and stained-glass windows by Harry Clarke. The Dublin artist’s organic style was influenced by art nouveau, art deco and symbolism.
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ACTIVITIES
You can fish for trout and salmon in the Rivers Flesk (per day €10) and Laune (per day €25); a state salmon licence is needed. Or you can fish for brown trout for free in Killarney National Park’s lakes. Information, permits, licences and hire equipment can be obtained at O’Neill’s ( 064-663 1970; 6 Plunkett St), which looks like a gift shop but is a long-established fishing centre.
Killarney Riding Stables ( 064-663 1686; www.killarney-reeks-trail.com; Ballydowney; rides from €35) is 1.5km west of the centre on the N72. The well-run complex offers short rides as well as two- and five-day rides through the Iveragh Peninsula for more experienced riders.
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FOOTBALL CRAZY
Gaelic football clubs are as common in Ireland as green fields and pub signs bearing the ‘G’ word. However, among Kerrymen, the obsession with the sport reaches fever pitch. Forget about soccer or even hurling; this obsession is akin to rugby in New Zealand and soccer in Brazil.
Run by the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), the 15-a-side game is played with a heavy leather ball on a rectangular grass pitch with H-shaped, net-backed goals. Teams score through a confusing combination of kicking, carrying, hand-passing and soloing (dropping and toe-kicking the ball into the hands). The game, which closely resembles Australian Rules football, dates back to the 16th century, but took its current form in the 19th century.
If you would like to watch some Gaelic football and you’re in town during the season (February to September), head to the Fossa GAA Ground on the N72, 1.6km