Killarney National Park & Muckross House

County Kerry is one location that should be on every backpacker’s list of places to visit in Ireland. The county is one of the top tourist destinations in Ireland, and in Kerry, Killarney National Park and Muckross House – are among the most visited. The destination also boasts the highest mountain in the country - Carrauntoohil; the Killarney Lakes; and soft, sandy beaches.

Killarney National Park

Situated next to Killarney, the National Park draws visitors all through the year. As Ireland’s first national park, it enjoys pride of place among the local attractions. In 1981, it was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve owing to the sheer diversity of its habitats. The extensiveness and quality of the wildlife is striking, and makes it extremely important in terms of ecological value.

The national park has a herd of native Red Deer, which is the only remaining in Ireland. The ecology here is extremely varied, with mountains, parks, lakes, bogs and waterways. For those backpacking through Ireland, this opens up a lot of opportunities for exploring just the geological elements.

The Upper Lake, Muckross Lake and Lough Lake are the Lakes of Killarney which link with each other to form a breathtaking expanse of ecologically rich waters. You can spend a few hours at the lakes and try out sport angling. Depending on the season, you may be able to catch salmon or brown trout. A boat trip can take you through the Middle and Lower lakes and onto the Upper Lake. From there, you should go on to Lord Brandon’s Castle. Once you get off the boat, you will have a 12 kilometer stretch that you can backpack through.

At the end of the trail lies the Gap of Dunloe where you can visit the well known Kate Kearney’s Cottage. There are several places that you can visit in Killarney National Park. Of these, Muckross House and Ross Castle are two places you should not miss out on.

Muckross House

Muckross House, built for Henry Arthur Herbert in 1843, sits on a small peninsula between Lough Leane and Muckross Lake. It is one of the main attractions that draw visitors to the national park. Open all through the year, Muckross House entertains all those who come that way. As it is open to all and does not require visitors to pay a fee to enter, those who go to the national park, make it a point to go here. The traditional farms and gardens here will take you decades back in time, to a beautiful Irish house that has a lot in terms of beauty and heritage to be proud of.

Ross Castle

Ross Castle is another site in County Kerry that has much to offer those who visit it. The legends and history surrounding this castle are incredibly rich. The castle is situated at the edge of Lough Leane, and has a splendid walking course that can be explored while you take in the incredibly beautiful sights around you. The castle rules require people to go in groups of fifteen, and only such groups are allowed entry. Those who go through Ireland tours with other backpackers will be able to gain entry quite easily.