IrishShop Blog - IrishShop.com

Recent Posts

Tags

What Irish Gifts Does Killarney Hold?

Irish Shop

On Oscars night, Ireland held its collective breath and exploded with joy when our own Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her heart-rending portrayal of a bereaved mother in Hamnet. Nowhere on the island was more excited that her hometown of Killarney, County Kerry.

Killarney might be far from the capital of Dublin, but it is close to the hearts of visitors to Ireland. This magical place is the most famous town in County Kerry, nicknamed The Kingdom. You’ll hear many explanations for this nickname. The name Kerry is the evolution of Ciar Raigh or Ciar Ríocht, meaning the people or descendants of Ciar, who was a king, or Ciar’s kingdom.

Beautiful coastal view showing green fields and stone walls in Killarney, County Kerry

Kerry is home to the famous Ring of Kerry, beloved by visitors from around the world. What other wonders can be found here in Ireland’s southwestern corner? The Kingdom is a natural beauty. Kerry – and specifically Killarney – can boast a trove of Irish gifts, from dramatic beaches to homes that keep history alive to Ireland’s oldest forests to charming villages and enticing pubs. And yes, you will also find rolling green fields dotted with sheep and bordered with low dry stone walls.

The Natural Beauty of Killarney

The real magic of this kingdom is its sumptuous natural beauty. Here are four highlights of The Kingdom.

Killarney National Park

Exterior view of Muckross House, County Kerry

Ireland was largely deforested centuries ago, but here, red deer still make their home deep in ancient forests. It’s 10,000 hectares includes wooded mountains, lakes and even some waterfalls. Hiking is allowed – if hikers stay on trails and follow Leave No Trace principles. The park also includes Muckross House and Gardens, a chance to see how the other half lived long ago.

Kerry UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve

View of the night sky from Killarney National Park, Ireland

Jessie Buckley and Michael Fassbender aren’t the only stars County Kerry is known for. Along the western edge of the Iveragh Peninsula lies Ireland’s first Dark Sky Reserve. Between the mountains and the vast Atlantic, far from the city lights, is this ideal place for stargazing. 

Skellig Islands

View looking out to sea at the 2 Skellig Islands, Kerry

George Bernard Shaw described the Skelligs as a ‘dream world’, calling them an ‘incredible, impossible, mad place’. The two islands are not exactly inviting, which was probably part of the appeal to the 6th century monks who built Skellig Michael on Great Skellig Island. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The climb up to the stunning monastic ruins is challenging even for fit, experienced hikers. Little Skellig is only for the birds – literally. It’s a bird sanctuary.

Gaeltacht Areas 

An Irish road sign, in green with white text reading 'An Ghaelacht' and a Celtic style design

Kerry boasts two Gaeltacht areas – designated zones where Irish is the primary language for business, school and everyday life. If you have been working on learning Irish, where better to practice our beautiful language than one of the most beautiful places in Ireland? Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh is just west of the Ring of Kerry, and Gaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne is on the Dingle Peninsula. 

County Kerry is rich in all kinds of Irish gifts – scenic beauty including mountains, forests and beaches, charming villages, and of course the arts from ancient carvings to trad music to Hollywood’s best and brightest stars. 

Back to blog