After our lovely drive around the Ring of Kerry, we made it back to Killarney Saturday afternoon with enough time to go to Ross Castle in Killarney National Park.
The 15th-century castle sits upon Lower Lake, which is also called Lough Leane or "lake of learning." There are about 30 little islands on the lake, including Innisfallen. A monastery was founded there in the 7th century which flourished for 1,000 years. A famous Irish chieftain named Brian Boru was educated there, as well as St. Brendan the Navigator. (Straight out of Frommers - could you tell!?)
A man with a little motor boat took us out to the island and it was amazing.
This whole island had an incredibly mystical feeling. There were trees there that were probably there centuries ago, and it was awe-inspiring to stand under them and think about the stories they could tell.
I think that when the boys look back on this trip, they will just remember all the cool rock stuff they climbed and jumped off of. The beauty and the history might have been just a little lost on them!
The kids were intrigued by an ancient Celtic cross and all the offerings people had left. I think mostly they were just thinking about all the crisps that money could buy!
Magical place.
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