A Brief History of Killarney

Geology & Creation

Desert, Temperate Seas, Volcanoes, Two Million Year Ice Age
The Killarney mountains are comprised of red sandstone that was formed in the estuary of a great, desert river. This happened some 395 to 345 million years ago when this land was 30 degrees south of the equator.
Then (345 to 295 million years ago) the land was covered by a shallow, warm sea. Limestone was formed from the sand mixed with the remains of shells and fish.
A little over 430 million years ago the Lough Guitane region, south-east of Killarney, was a centre of very active volcanic activity. Here there is volcanic rock - lava and ash - that varies in thickness from 300 to 600 feet.
Some 200 million years ago there were a series of earth foldings that forced up all of the Killarney mountains. This pushed the older red sandstone through the limestone. The limestone was left in the valleys.
Killarney's ice age began two million years ago and only ended 10,000 BC. A 1,600 foot/490m of ice and snow was slowly pushed northward through the Killarney Valley giving the mountains their jagged appearance, gouged out deep valleys like the Gap of Dunloe and Cappach and left basins that are now filled with dozen and dozen of lakes.
The weathering of the past 12,000 years has further emphasised the jaggedness of the mountains and the waters in the Lower and Middle lakes have lapped away at their limestone surrounds to form a warren of caves and give the rock an attractive scalloped appearance.

Killarney's Woodlands

Yew & Oak Woods
The mild climate, high rainfall and the shelter has produced a rich vegetation in Killarney. The valley has some 500 varieties of mosses and 250 liverworts (a broad leafed moss). About one-fifth of these were first discovered here - but they are not unique to this area.

At the other end of the botanical spectrum Killarney has the largest yew wood in Europe (some 32 hectares/80 acres) as well as the most extensive native oak woodland in Ireland (c.600 hectares/1,500 acres).

As well there are extensive swamp woodlands -alder and sally. Native to Killarney are a range of plants not normally found growing naturally further north than Spain or Portugal. These include the very prolific Arbutus and the insect eating Kerry Butterwort.

Killarney, and the broader Kerry/West Cork area, has a series of unique gardens that become world-class when your combine their botanical collection with their spectacular locations. Muckross, Glanleam, Dereen, Garnish, Dunloe Castle, Knockreer and Derrynane.

Wildlife

Red Deer to Kerry Slug
The Irish Red Deer, the largest native Irish mammal, has only survived in an unbroken line in the Killarney valley where it has lived since the end of the last ice age some 12,000 years ago. It is a particular experience to walk in the hills around Killarney during the mating season in October and hear the bellowing roar of the stags as they warn off any other thinking of trying to steal some of their harem.

Four Sika Deer (Sika Nippon) were presented to the Muckross Estate in 1861 and their descendants are now among the purest strains of Sika deer in the world.

Foxes, badgers, pine martins, red squirrels. At depths of over sixty feet in Lough Leane there have been shoals of char since the ice age. Some of the last of the Irish Golden Eagles and White-Tailed Sea Eagles soared in Killarney skies up to the late 1800s. A programme is now in place to re-introduce the White-Tailed Eagle to Killarney and the Southwest. In recent years one of the most efficient fishing birds the Osprey have been seen after an absence of a century. Greenland White Fronted Geese from far off Canadian shores are among our winter visitors.

On balmy summer evenings Killarney has significant colonies of rare moths. The silver spotted Kerry Slug is another native whose normal range is not further north than the north of Spain.

Human Habitation for 9000 Years

There are some 10,000 archaeological sites in Kerry telling the story of human habitation for every period over the past 9,000 years.
The dump sites of the earliest settlers who lived off wild animals and plants. Increasingly sophisticated buildings over the millennia. The extensive remains of the earliest copper mines in north western Europe. Evidence of layers and layers of invaders
From the historical period ... the story of Christianity extending from the 5th century to to-day ... from the finest early Christian monastery in the world on Skellig Michael ... to St Mary's Cathedral in Killarney that celebrates 150 years in 2005 ... to contemporary church building.

Some of the most extensive folklore collections in the world have been made here. Beginning with Crofton Croker's work in Killarney in the 1820s and continuing with the very extensive collections made by the Irish Folklore Commission in Kerry in the 20th century.

Myths & Legends

Tir na N'og
(The Land of Youth)
One day the Fianna, the ancient Irish warriors, were hunting on the shores of Lough Leane when a beautiful woman rode out of the lake on a white horse. She invited Oisin (the son of Fionn, the leader of the Fianna) to return to her home which she said was under the waters of the lakes and was called Tir na N'og (the land of youth) where nobody grew old and there was eternal spring.

Everything was as Niamh Cinn iir (Niamh of the golden hair) had promised but after what he thought was three years Oisin wanted to visit his family. Niamh warned him that 300 years had passed since he left the shores of Lough Leane. If he ever got off his horse's back he would immediately become a very old man.

All had changed in the land of mortals. There was no trace of the Fianna. St Patrick had come to Ireland and many churches were being built.

One day watching five men making heavy weather of moving a huge rock Oisin said one of the Fianna could have done the job.


Challenged by the builders Oisin was moving the rock with one hand when his horse's stirrup broke. When he fell to the ground his body was subject to all of the 300 years he had been away. It is said that for the short while he lived he was a great help to St Patrick filling him in on the ancient history and customs of Ireland.

It has been claimed that the Chieftain O'Donoghue makes his grand appearances on May-Day morning because this is the anniversary of his disappearance from this life. An early nineteenth-century account states that 'a favoured few only are in general permitted to see him, and this distinction is always an omen of good fortune to the beholders. When it is granted to many, it is a sure token of an abundant harvest.

A description of the vision has the rising sun beginning to gild the lofty summit of Glena when, amid showers of spray, O'Donoghue suddenly appears on his proud white war-horse which springs after a great wave. Followed by mirthful youths and maidens, with beautiful garlands of Mayflowers, dancing to the strains of an enchanting melody.

Thomas Fourth Viscount Kenmare

Founder of Killarney Town - A Brief History:
The following is a brief outline of the life of Thomas, 4th Viscount Kenmare. The main source used in The Kenmare Manuscripts, ed. by Edward MacLysaght, 1942, reprinted 1970, Irish University Press for the Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Valentine Browne, 3rd Viscount Kenmare, (b. 10th March 1694/5) married Honora Butler, daughter of Thomas Butler of Kilcash Co. Tipperary in November 1720. Honora's brother was John, 15th Earl of Ormond.

Thomas Browne, 4th Viscount Kenmare, was born in April 1725. He had a brother, Valentine, and two sisters, Helen and Katherine. Little is known of these except that Valentine died as a child. Both of Thomas' parents also died young. His Mother died when Thomas was four years of age. His Father remarried in 1735 but died a year later when Thomas was ten years of age. Thomas was then attending Westminister School (MacLysaght, 423).

Thomas' great-aunt, the catholic Madame Da Cunha, (wife of the Portuguese Ambassador) played an important unofficial role as Thomas' guardian. However, as the penal laws were then in operation she could not do so legally
(MacLysaght, p. xii).

Madame Da Cunha sent the young Thomas for four years to the English seminary at Douay. This seminary was 'highly celebrated for regularity of discipline, purity of morals and proficiency in science'(MacLysaght, p.446). Thomas then spent some time at the University of Oxford (MacLysaght, p. 447) and the Academy of Turin (MacLysaght p.448). He returned to England and took a house in Wiltshire where he was very popular locally (Maclysaght, p.448-449).

A Portrait of Thomas painted when he was 16 or 17 years of age depicts a youth with a pleasant expression. He had grey-blue eyes set wide apart and high cheekbones. Thomas came of age in 1747. In 1750 he married Anne Cooke, daughter of Thomas Cooke of Painstown, Co. Carlow. They had two children, a son Valentine (b.1754) and a daughter Katherine.

During these years Tomas appears to have spent about 12 years actually living in Killarney (MacLysaght, p.450). He compiled a private notebook recording his observations on his tenants on his estates in Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Thomas' observations on the Kerry estate were largely written between 1755 and 1757 (MacLysaght, p.179). He also expressed his opinions on the gentry of Kerry, disabilities against Catholics, and estate management (MacLysaght, p.xxi). Thomas appears to have been a considerate and enlightened landlord and he carefully managed his estate. The value of the estate increased from £3,000 to nearly £12,000 per annum within 50 years of his coming of age. However, this was partly as a result of a general rise in rents during the 18th century (Maclysaght, p.141).

For some years following her marriage to Thomas, Anne Cooke kept detailed household accounts. Some of these accounts for the period 13th Dec. 1753 to 20th July 1754, while the family were resident in Dublin, are attached here. It is interesting to note from these that Nanny, the child's maid, was paid £2.10 for half a years wage. The accounts are less detailed following the family's return to Killarney on the 26th July 1754 (MacLysaght, p.280-281).

From 1747 Thomas appears to have been actively and energetically improving his Kerry estate. He remarked that in that year he found much of his estate 'a large barren waste with monstrous large farms, few or no substantial tenants and a general spirit of dirty poverty and indolence among all ranks'. He began looking around for an industry that would help improve these conditions and he decided upon the Linen Industry (MacLysaght, p.214).

In order to foster the production of linen Thomas was informed that he needed to bring weavers from the North. However, a local man persuaded Thomas that his son was well acquainted with this industry. He stated that his son would settle 20 Northern families at Inchicullane near Killarney, that he would 'build slated houses for them, procure looms, keep a bleach yard and manufacture one thousand yard of linen yearly'. Thomas admits that in his own ignorance he thought that this was a 'great quantity' of linen. The man in question failed to adhere to their agreement. Thomas remarked that 'instead of answering my intention of promoting industry and the employment and welfare of the poor I see myself cheated on't above one hundred per annum by a rogue to the sole use of providing for one of his sons'. (MacLysaght, p214-215).

In 1748 the gentlemen of Kerry had 'formed themselves into a company for the encouragement of the linen manufacture' and had opened a subscription list. Thomas subscribed ten guineas. This was double the amount subscribed by the next highest subscribers, one of whom appears to have been Edward Herbert of Muckross (MacLysaght, p.424). Thomas was not discouraged in his promotion of the linen industry by his earlier unhappy experiences. He remarked that, 'the linen manufacture is still a sensible object and every method and opportunity of attempting it should be attended to' (MacLysaght, kp.215). He subsequently, in the early 1760s, provided premiums to his tenants to help encourage them to produce linen yarn (MacLysaght p.428 and 429).

In 1748 Thomas described a large part of the eastern portion of his Kerry estate thus: 'I found most part of this estate a great dreary waste without a passable road in it, limestone in the mountains but no way of coming at it and the whole in a state of nature without any attempt of improvement'. Thomas fully recognised the important role that lime played in land improvement. But in order to access the limestone necessary for lime production a system of roads had first to exist (MacLysaght, p.201).

Thomas' first step was to encourage the gentlemen of the country to apply for a turnpike road to Cork. He then offered '"praemiums" in imitation of those of the Dublin Society for ditching, draining, planting'. At his own expense and with some assistance from his tenants he built 'a road twelve or fourteen feet in the clear and well gravelled leading from the quarry of Lissivigeen to the quarry of Maserawr'. This road measured at least twelve miles in length and between it and the turnpike road 'none of the mountain farms will be above three miles remote from one or other quarry' (MacLysaght, p.201). Thomas also tried to encourage 'strangers of substance' to settle in the Sliabh Luachra area.

The town of Killarney was poorly developed during the 1740s. Thomas describes it and his methods for improving it thus: 'At my first coming of age there were not six slate housed in the village, but mostly mud cabins, low and ill-thatched. As well for neatness as that my own house was situated in it, and would have otherwise run a constant risk in respect of fire, I studied to get them slated and better built and to that purpose offered such of the owners as were capable of taking them leases of lives renewable for ever at five shillings each ground rent and the rest the same terms for 31 years with my promise them for them as often as they would require, provided they would raise and slate their houses. My reason for taking such trivial rent was because I should never lay much stress on rents arising out of an Irish village, whereas by giving them such a property and benefit in them it encouraged them to build and their expending their substance was a sure means to keep so many families on my estate, besides, they would require the neighbouring grounds for dairy, etc., which, of course, would ensure and raise their value' (MacLysaght, p.229).

With the same purpose in mind, Thomas removed all tolls, for six years, from his Killarney markets when their leases expired. He did this despite the fact that he 'could have got 50 pounds per annum for them'. He continued: 'Though I was in hopes thereby to have rendered this the cheapest and best market in the county I have been disappointed for Tralee though loaded with tolls its vastly better. Though I succeeded in having the village (Killarney) so much better built their circumstances are no ways equally improved with their houses and I am almost inclined to think they overstrained themselves in such buildings as though I have now lived among them near ten years and expended in said term upwards of 30,000 pounds sterling there are fewer of them in tolerable circumstances now them when I first arrived' (MacLysaght, p.229-230).

However, Thomas also identified other reasons for the lack of progress among his Killarney tenants. He continued:
'This is a great measure owing to the pride, drunkenness and sloth of the middling sort among the Irish. Every one of them thinks himself too great for any industry except taking farms. When they happen to get them they screw enormous rents from some beggarly dairyman and spend their whole time in the ale house in the ale house in the next village. If they have sons they are all to be priests, physicians or French officers; if daughters they are bred up to no kind of industry but become encumbrances on their parents and the public and this sloth and beggary are transmitted from generation to generation' (MacLysaght, p.230).

The market at Killarney did not improve, so in 1765 Thomas reset the tolls at £65.00 per annum (MacLysaght, p.230).

Thomas appears to have left Killarney with his family in 1761 (MacLysaght, p.225). During the following years he lived in London and afterwards in Paris, Lille, Spa and in other parts of the continent (MacLysaght, p.450). The Preacher who delivered a sermon at the time of Thomas' death in 1795 gave three reasons for this departure. The first suggests that some aspect of the penal laws may have been instigated against the family. The second suggests it was 'delicacy of his good lady's health that required change of air and proximity of physicians'. The third reason advanced is ' the necessity of providing proper education for their precious offspring' (MacLysaght, p.450). It is the last of these three reasons that Thomas himself mentions as the reason for his departure (MacLysaght, p.226).

During the 1760s Thomas returned to Ireland from the continent periodically (MacLysaght, p265). He himself states that he returned to Ireland in 1765 (MacLysaght, p.226) and in 1767 (MacLysaght, p.187). He was careful to scrutinise his estate accounts and to sign off on them on his return visits (MacLysaght, p.437).

The Catholic Association was founded in 1756 and was the first body established to give formal representation to Catholic interests in the 18th Century. It was succeeded by the Catholic Committee in 1760, which however, prior to the 1790s was only sporadically active. Thomas was a member of the Catholic Committee. But when a more militant group seized control of the Committee in 1791, Thomas led the more conservative faction, which seceded from it (Cpnnolly, S.J., The Oxford Companion to Irish History, 1998, p.74). Referring to the Tomas' role in the Catholic Committee, MacLysaght remarks that although he was a prominent figure in his day, Thomas was ill-suited for public life. He disliked strong measures and was reluctant to take any step that would seriously embarrass the Government (MacLysaght, p.xi).

Thomas died 9th September 1795 at Killarney. He was 69 years of age (The complete Peerage, Vol. VII, 1929, Muckross Library No. 50.106).

Inisfallen Island & Monastery

Ireland's First University

Sweet Inisfallen(Thomas Moore)
Sweet Inisfallen, fare thee well,
May calm and sunshine long be thine!
How fair thou art let others tell,-
To feel how fair shall long be mine.

Sweet Inisfallen, long shall dwell
In memory's dream that sunny smile,
Which o'er thee on that evening fell,
When first I saw thy fairy isle

Killarney's Lake Isle of Inisfallen is perhaps not as internationally famous as Yeats Lake Isle of Innisfree, but the above opening verses were penned in tribute by an equally internationally famous poet and composer, Thomas Moore. Moore was a frequent visitor to Innisfallen and as can be seen from his writings, it held a very special place in his heart.

The monastery on Inisfallen Island was founded in the c.early to mid 7th century. It was sited on the largest of the islands on Lough Leane, in beautiful isolation, yet only a short boat ride away from the Killarney Valley. With crops from its relatively fertile soil, fish from the surrounding lake waters and, wildlife in the nearby lakeside woodlands, the early monks must have been very self-sufficient in terms of their daily needs.

The early church buildings and dwellings are long gone and what remains today are the extensive ruins of a church and an Augustinian priory building dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

The monastery on Inisfallen became a very important centre of learning in the early Christian period in Ireland and is sometimes known as one of the oldest universities in Europe. Listed among those who it is claimed were educated there was Ireland's most famous King - Brian Boru.

Although originated in other Munster monasteries, the monks on Inisfallen between the c.9th and 14th centuries completed the Annals of Inisfallen. These Annals represent a most important contemporary history of Munster and they now reside in the Bodlein Library in Oxford University.

Throughout its 1000-year existence, Inisfallen was subjected to repeated attacks and the destruction of its buildings. It is believed that it was effectively deserted as a place of worship and education at the time of the Cromwellian campaign in the mid 17th century. In the 18th century, the Island became a popular outdoor location for wine, food and merriment for the various guests of the Earls of Kenmare. Throughout the 19th century, it was "oft visited" by the romantic poets and writers including Thomas Moore and it is best celebrated in his wonderful poem "Sweet Inisfallen".

No trip to Killarney is complete without a visit to this place of immense beauty. As you walk midst its ruins, one can sense the spirituality that must have first drawn the monks to this most special place. Boat Trips to Inisfallen Island are available from Ross Castle Pier and the adjacent Reen Pier.

Ross Castle - A Seven Century Story

Built in the late 15th Century by one of the O'Donoghue Ross Gaelic Chieftains, Ross Castle has had a long and distinguished history. This typical Irish keep is built on a rocky outcrop on Ross Island by the shore of Lough Leane. Although not a large fortress, its profile and location make for an imposing structure and it has proved to be a very effective defensive stronghold throughout the centuries.

Perhaps the most significant event in its 500+ year history occurred in 1652. Cromwellian General Ludlow and his army of 4000 foot and 2000 horse soldiers pursued the retreating Lord Muskerry and his Irish forces from Cork to Killarney. Ludlow laid siege to Muskerry and his remaining forces at Ross Castle. The Castle was well defended against attack from land, and fearing a protracted siege, Ludlow hastened the surrender when he brought artillery up the Laune River (on specially constructed boats) and laid siege to the Castle from the lakeside also. It is said, that an old Irish prophecy that Ross Castle would never fall "until a ship should swim upon the lake", may have been instrumental in the decision to Surrender.

Many years after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the Castle was for the first time occupied by the Browne family. For his loyalty to King James II, Sir Valentine Browne was given the title, 1st Viscount Kenmare - predecessor to Thomas 4th Viscount Kenmare - the acknowledged founder of Killarney Town (1754) and the father of Irish Tourism.

Having served as a residence for the "Kenmare" Family and subsequently as an Army Barracks, the Castle was finally vacated in 1825. For almost the next 150 years, under various owners, it remained as a "deteriorating" but famous Killarney landmark on the shores of Lough Leane. In 1970, the Castle came into State ownership and has been beautifully restored by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and refurnished in the style of the 17th century. It is now under the management of the OPW and is open to the public - by guided tour only. A Guided Tour of Ross Castle is an experience not to be missed. Contact: 353 (0) 64 35851 - e-mail rosscastle@duchas.ie

Reference Reading: Ross Castle Visitors Guide (available from Ross Castle).

Ross Island

Ross Island is certainly a "Treasure Island" and in many respects - "A One-Stop Shop for Killarney's Heritage".

Strong links with the Bronze Age "Beaker Community" have been found during archaeological excavations of the Copper Mines at Ross Island. Copper mined from this island provided the very first metal to be used in Ireland over 4000 years ago, and again during the early Christian period in Ireland.

Substantial shipments of copper ore were also delivered to British smelters during the 18th and 19th centuries to meet the demands of the Industrial Revolution.

Due to serious problems with frequent flooding of the mines and the growth of Tourism in Killarney, the mines were eventually closed. Shafts were filled in, buildings were demolished and the mine surface workings were landscaped.

Archaeological work commenced on the mines in 1992 under the direction of Dr. William O'Brien of Department of Archaeology, National Universityof Ireland, Galway. Thanks to his work and the support of Killarney National Park, visitors to the Island can follow the development of its mining heritage by reference to a comprehensive Guide Booklet on The Ross Island Mining Trail (available from Ross Castle and Muckross House).

Detailed "Information Panels" are also located at relevant points around the Island. As there are still open shafts within the surrounding woodlands, visitors are asked to remain on the designated tracks and to ensure that children are supervised at all times.

Duration of Mining Trail Walk: Discretionary, but allow 45 mins to 90 mins.

Muckross Abbey

Founded by the Franciscans in the 15th century, this unique Abbey was plundered by Cromwellian forces in 1652. Although a 'ruin', the building is in a remarkable state of preservation with the walls of the Cloister and its associated buildings in their original complete state. Access is all year round and admission is free.

Muckross House & Gardens

A visit to Killarney, or indeed Kerry, is not complete without a visit to the world renowned Muckross House &Gardens. One of Ireland's most popular visitor attractions, this magnificent Victorian mansion was built in 1843 and forms the centrepiece of the equally renowned Killarney National Park. The elegantly furnished family rooms in the upper floors and the spartan servants quarters in the basement, clearly depict the 'upstairs - downstairs' divide of that era. The Gardens are renowned world-wide for their beauty and, in particular they are noted for their fine collection of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, extensive water garden and an outstanding rock garden hewn out of natural limestone.

The nearby Muckross Traditional Farms are full working examples of rural life in the 1930's. Take a stroll down memory lane to a time before the advent of electricity, when all work was carried out using traditional methods. Meet and chat with the farmers and their wives as they go about their daily work in the houses, on the land and, with the animals.

Together with the Craft Workshops in Muckross House, the superb extensive Gardens and, the surrounding National Park, this is a location of immense beauty and historical interest. An experience not to be missed and never to be forgotten.
Muckross House &Gardens are open all year (excl. Christmas) and the Traditional Farms are fully open May - September inclusive, with limited opening during March, April and October. Entrance to the National Park and Muckross Gardens is free. Special Group Rates apply to the House and Farms and substantial savings can be made by buying a 'joint ticket' for both attractions.

Killarney National Park

A Brief History

Ireland's first National Park, lies to the south and west of Killarney town and today covers an area of 10,000 hectares (over 26,000 acres). At the foot of the McGillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range rising to 1000m (over 3,000ft) in height, lie the three world famous Lakes of Killarney. Here, where the lower wood-clad mountain slopes fall to meet the lake shores, lies Killarney National Park. Killarney National Park was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1981, i.e. it forms part of a world wide network of natural areas where conservation, research, education and training are recognised as major objectives.

In 1932 the former Muckross Estate, which included Muckross House, was presented to the State by Senator Arthur Vincent and his parents-in-law, in memory of his late wife Maud. This required a special Act, known as The Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Act, to be laid before the Dail which, passing through all stages within a fortnight, took effect on the 31st December 1932. The care of the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, an area of 4,300 hectares (over 10,000 acres) which formed the nucleus of the present National Park, was then entrusted to the Commissioners of Public Works, who were charged with the responsibility of maintaining and managing it "as a National Park for the purpose of the recreation and enjoyment of the public". Although open to the public, during the early years of its existence the Park was managed primarily as an extensive farm. It was not until later that its value for nature conservation was realised. Since the 1960s considerable emphasis and effort has been made to conserve and protect the natural features of the Park. Muckross House, which had been empty and unused since the 1930s was, in 1964, leased to a group of local people as a centre and museum of Kerry folk-life. Today the House, which is now presented to the public as a late nineteenth century mansion, is jointly managed by Duchas - The Heritage Service and the Trustees of Muckross House (Killarney) Ltd., and forms the focal point of the National Park, while also serving as the major tourist attraction for the area. Adjoining the House are the world famous Muckross Gardens and Arboretum.
During the 1970s Killarney National Park was greatly extended in size both by donations and by a series of land purchases by the State.

Among the mammals occurring within the National Park are otters (now rare in Europe), stoats, hedgehogs, pygmy shrews, Irish hares, rabbits, rats, wood mice, house mice, badgers, foxes, red squirrel and, since 1983, the American mink. In the past pine martens were occasionally recorded here. In recent times their population has been augmented by the release of pine martens from the healthy breeding populations of Co. Clare. Seven species of bat have also been identified within the Park. The Bank Vole, first identified in north west Kerry in 1964, has been present in Killarney since 1969. The uplands support the only remaining native herd of Red Deer in the country. A policy of total protection of these animals has been in operation in the National Park since 1964. The smaller Sika deer from Japan were introduced into the area in the 1860s.

The varied habitats of mountain moorland, woodland and lake, ensure that the Park supports a wide variety of bird species. Meadow Pipit, Stonechat and Raven occupy the uplands, with Peregrine Falcons, Merlins and Red Grouse occasionally seen. Chaffinch and Robin frequent the woodlands, while Heron, Mallard, Little Grebe and Water Rail breed about the lakes. The rivers and streams are home to Kingfisher and Dipper. The Lakes, which in their present form are the result of glacial excavation during the last Ice Age, contain fourteen species of fish, including natural stocks of Brown Trout and Salmon. Of special interest is the Charr, a species of fish which usually occupies Sub-Arctic lakes.

Celebrating 250 Years as a Town and Tourist Destination

250 Years A Town & A Tourist Destination
From Spring 2004 to Autumn 2005 Killarney celebrated 250 years of Irish tourism and the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the town of Killarney. "Killarney 250" set out to excite local person and visitor with the breath and depth of the Killarney experience. This was done through a wide range of field activities, talks, workshops, exhibitions and publications.

The 250 year story began with Thomas Fourth Viscount Kenmare who came of age in 1747. He had the vision to attract visitors to Killarney. He developed the town as we know it to-day. He built linen mills.

Writing in 1756 Charles Smith said "The town of Killarney is a small thriving place, being considerably improved, since the minority of the present owner, the Lord Viscount Kenmare, who hath encouraged several inhabitants to settle in it, and hath erected some houses for linen manufacturers about a mile from the town. There are already four great new roads finished to this town. The neighbourhood of the mines offers employment of several people, and will consequently, cause a considerable sum of money to be spent in it."

Richard Pococke visited Killarney in 1749 and returned in 1758. Writing from Killarney on August 31st 1758 he said "It is wonderful to see what Lord Kenmare has done in about nine years. He has made a walk around the Isle of Innisfallen ... and built a house there for company to dine in. He has built a tower and steeple in the church, market house, caused many roads to be made and some at his own expense, allotting the profits of a salmon fishery to public works; he has encouraged tenants to build three or four streets by giving them long leases; he has a variety of boats to attend all strangers, and what is more extraordinary, he has raised such a town without any manufacture."

Mountain, lake and luxuriant woodland are the hallmarks of Killarney. Since the 1750s visitors have been attracted by the physical beauty of the place, by its rich natural history, its unique store of legend, the evidence of human habitation going back seven, eight or maybe nine thousand years.

"Killarney 250" commemorated Thomas Fourth Viscount Kenmare who, 250 years earlier, had the vision to realise the potential of getting people to come on holiday to Killarney. He also stimulated the building of Killarney town.

The adventurous sons of wealthy English houses were the backbone of the 18th and early 19th century tourist industry in Killarney.

The building of the three major access roads in the 1820s ... Bianconi horse drawn coaches ... the visits and writings of romantic poets like Tennyson, Wordsworth, Scott, Austin had a huge impact. The opening of the railway in 1853 was the beginning of the modern tourist trade. To keep pace more hotels were built. Two notable dates - the Muckross Hotel opened in 1790 and the Great Southern celebrates 150 years in 2004 .

By 1870 some 40 people worked for five Arbutus and bog oak manufacturers. Here the products ranged from snuff boxes to a writing desk and a table presented to Queen Victoria on her visit here in 1861, that between them had 250,000 pieces of wood.

The Killarney guide was a special feature of a Killarney holiday. Not only did he know how to see all of the area, he also had a smattering of knowledge of the area's natural history, its historic remains but most especially was a superb story teller. The inheritors of that legacy are the boatmen, ponymen and jarveys (who drive the horse-drawn jaunting cars).

The huge publicity of Queen Victoria's visit in 1861 launched Killarney internationally as a place to visit. The first half of the 20th century was difficult because of national and international disturbances. There were major surges in the Killarney tourist industry, in the 1960s - because of the government grants - and the 1990s stimulated by tax incentives and a buoyant economy.