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Enjoy the Killarney lakes at Christmas  NOTHING
is better for working off the Christmas excesses then a trip round the
beautiful lakes of Killarney.
This renowned scenic attraction is located near Killarney in Co. Kerry.
It consists of three lakes — Lough Leane, Muckross Lake (also called
Middle Lake) and Upper Lake.
Lough Leane meaning Lake of Learning is the largest of the three. The
River Laune drains Lough Leane to the north towards Killorglin and into
Dingle Bay
The lakes lie in a stunning setting sitting in a mountain-ringed valley
starting in the Black Valley.
The mountains include Carrauntoohil, Purple Mountain and Mangerton Mountain.
One of the finest vantage points is Ladies View — a scenic stopping
point on the N71 road from Killarney to Kenmare that offers a view of
the lakes and valleys.
There are many sites of natural, historic and religious interest on the
lakes which are mostly contained in the surrounding Killarney National
Park.
On the shores lie Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Muckross House. On Lough
Leane is Innisfallen Island.
Ross Island — a peninsula on the Eastern side of Lough Leane —
is the site of copper mines dating back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age.
They are the earliest-known copper mines in Britain or Ireland.
But it’s the area as a whole which sets the heart alight. Stunning
vistas abound at around every corner.
If the Christmas celebrations have taken their toll a walk through the
crisp, clean air as you skirt the lakes and mountains does wonders.
What’s more there can be no better way of cleansing the spirit and
really getting away from it all. |
