Historic Killarney
Killarney - CILL AIRNE - The Church of the Sloes
During your stay at the The Killarney Valley you should find time to research and visit some of the historic sites and areas of interest within the beautiful hinterland.
Since the Early Bronze Age, almost 4,000 years ago we have recordings of human occupation in Killarney. There is later evidence by way of monastic settlements but house settlement however, began around 1500. The most important of these was the monastery on Innisfallen founded by St. Finian the Leper. The "Annals of Innisfallen", written there in the 11th-l3th centuries, are a major source of information on the early history of Ireland.
Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the displaced Gaelic chieftains, McCarthy Mor and the O'Donoghue of Ross, held the lands around the Lakes. Later the lands came into the hands of the Herberts of Muckross and the Earls of Kenmare respectively.
In 1911, the Muckross Estate was purchased by Mr. W. B. Bourn as a wedding gift for his daughter, Maud, on her marriage to Arthur Vincent.
Muckross Gardens are renowned for their fine collection of rhododendron species and hybrids and azaleas. There is an extensive water-garden and a rock-garden on a natural limestone outcrop. Many tender and exotic trees flourish in the mild climate and sheltered location around the large expanse of informal lawn and in the Arboretum.
Ask at reception and any of our staff will be able to assist you in planning a visit to any of these areas.
