- This article is about the town in Ireland, there is also a town called Killarney in Ontario, Canada.
Torc Waterfall , near Killarney
Killarney (Cill Airne, "The church of the sloes") is a town in Co. Kerry, south-western Ireland. The town is in a deep valley in the MacGillicuddy Reeks, beside the Lakes of Killarney, part of the Killarney National Park. The town is also famous for its history, as well as the cathedral it is also home to Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Innisfallen Island, the location of a ruined monastery.
Because of its natural and historical interest, and its close proximity to the Dingle peninsula, Skelligs and Ring of Kerry it is a popular tourist town.
The population of Killarney as at Census 2002 was 12,087.
Transport
Killarney is served by National Primary and Secondary roads as well as local routes.
National Primary Routes:
National Secondary Routes:
There is a train service to Tralee, Limerick, Cork and Dublin operated by the national railway operator Iarnród Éireann. Bus Éireann provides bus connections to Limerick (onwards to Dublin, Galway), Cork, Tralee and to Kenmare & Skibbereen
Kerry International Airport located in Farranfore between Tralee and Killarney provides air services.
Tourism
Tourism is by far the largest industry in Killarney. There are more bed nights available in Killarney than in any other Irish town or city, with the exception of the capital, Dublin City.
See also: Lakes of Killarney, Killarney National Park & Muckross House
History
(taken from killarney250.com)
From Spring 2004 to Autumn 2005 Killarney will celebrate 250 years of Irish tourism and the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the town of Killarney.
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."
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