Killarney
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http://www.killarney.ie

Killarney is one of the busiest tourist towns in Ireland, yet it lies within just a few miles of some of the most stunningly beautiful and isolated countryside in Ireland.

For over two hundred and fifty years Killarney has been the base for visitors to South Kerry, an area which boasts more scenic forests, mountains and coast line per square mile than any other region of Ireland.

The streets of Killarney are bustling throughout the year without being overcrowded and even in the centre of town you will often catch sight of nearby mountains between a gap in the buildings.

With such a long tradition of catering for tourists it is no surprise that Killarney is also one of the most hospitable towns in Ireland boasting everything from luxury hotels to B&B to backpacker hostels. There are also dozens of restaurants, cafes bars and night-clubs.

To the south of the town is Killarney National Park which is home to mountains, waterfalls, lakes and ancient forests.

There are three main lakes the lowest of which is Lough Leane. On the shores of this lake is the historic Muckross Abbey which was founded in 1448 by an Irish Chieftain called Donal McCarthy.

Slightly more modern is Muckross House, a magnificent Victorian mansion set in its own intricate gardens which lie on the shores of the Lower and Middle Lakes.

Higher up the mountains and you are into the true wilds of Ireland, although still just a few miles away from the bustle of Killarney. These mountains include MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland.

The road into the mountains forms part of a route known as The Ring of Kerry. As well as spectacular mountain scenery the route drops down to the Atlantic coast to make it one of the most scenic journeys that you will ever undertake.

Highlights along the coast are at Waterville, where mountains and sea combine to provide views that no postcard could ever do justice to. Valentia Island juts into the Atlantic and is one of the most westerly parts of Europe.

The area is also seeped in history. Caherdaniel was home to the "Liberator" Daniel O’Connell, one of Ireland’s best known patriots, while on the seemingly inaccessible Skellig Michael island you can visit the monastic settlement of beehive cells which date back to the 6th century.