Killarney

placed in the category: Cities

Surrounded by mountains, lakes, and woods, Killarney is a scenic town in County Kerry, Ireland. Located on the north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, Killarney is one of Ireland's top tourist destinations (overtaken by Dublin only in recent years) and is visited by people from all over the globe. After all, the town offers not just beauty but a lot of things to do for the eager tourist. If you are a food lover, Killarney will delight you with its rows of cafes, restaurants and pubs serving delicious local specialties. Partygoers will enjoy Killarney's nightlife, which are always lively and open every night especially during the summer time. Gift shops also abound for tourists who want to take home some great souvenirs.

Killarney has various attractions to boast of. One of these is Craig Cave, also known as Ireland's "most exciting show cave". Over a million years old, the Craig Cave is a popular spot because of its all natural, limestone state and its dramatic light and sound effects. Touring the cave is one enjoyable and comfortable activity as the cave center features a restaurant, toilets, parking, and a souvenir shop.

Another popular attraction in Killarney is the Gap of Dunloe, a 12.8-kilometer long canyon surrounded by the Macgillycuddy Reeks and Tomies Mountains. The Gap of Dunloe offers breathtaking views of glacial lakes and steep mountainsides. You can also choose to hire a pony and appreciate the view while riding.

There are a lot more must-sees in Killarney and in the surrounding areas. Some of these are the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, St. Mary's Cathedral, and the Torc Waterfall. Killarney also has miles and miles of quiet byroads that are perfect for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Of course, you can't miss popular town events such as the Killarney SummerFest, one of the highlights of the year and which features a lot of concerts by national and international acts. Some of the big names that have played in the Killarney SummerFest are The Cranberries, The Corrs, Tom Jones, Pink, Snow Patrol, Westlife, and Bryan Adams. Today's most popular girl group Pussycat Dolls is said to be front lining the 2009 Killarney SummerFest.