DONAL O'LEARYDONAL O'LEARY

Hidden Gems ofKillarney National

Park

UUID: da83a910-9e6c-11e5-b0b2-119a1b5d0361

This ebook was created with StreetLib Write

( http://write.streetlib.com)

by Simplicissimus Book Farm

Table of contents

PREFACE 2

OVERVIEW MAP 4

1. DERRYCUNNIHY CASCADE 6

2. ROSIE’S BEACH 11

3. CROMAGLEN CASCADE 16

4. LIBRARY POINT 21

5. OLD WEIR BRIDGE 28

THANK YOU 32

1

PREFACE

When I first started to write about all the

best places to go in Killarney National Park, I

knew that there would be no shortage of

subject matter. Killarney and its environs is

full of full of great walks, runs, sights and

places to see. Whenever people asked me

about places, it was always about the lesser

known areas of the Park. Everyone loved the

sense of adventure and discovery that went

along with veering off the beaten track ever so

slightly. People were delighted to spend a few

hours in a place they never knew existed.

Many local residents or long term visitors

were uncovering new paths and trails that

they had passed by on numerous occasions.

And so it was that the Hidden Gems of Killarney

National Park came to fruition.

Killarney is full of treasures and many of

them are extremely popular visitor attractions.

2

In the shadow of these lie some of the areas

covered in this short guide. These hidden

gems may require a little bit more effort or

some imagination to experience in their full

glory. Rest assured that any effort will be well

rewarded. From secret beaches and crashing

cascades to secluded trails and historic places,

the hidden gems of Killarney National Park

are varied yet each one is similarly spectacular

in its own way.

I hope this short guide will encourage you to

get out and about and explore some of the

hidden gems of Killarney National Park. To

find out more about these and other great

places visit Killarney Guide where you will get

more detail and interactive maps for each of

the hidden gems in this guide.

Enjoy!

Donal O'Leary,

Killarney Guide

3

OVERVIEW MAP

Hidden Gems of Killarney NationalPark

The Hidden Gems of Killarney National

Park covered in this guide are situated at

different locations within the Park. All are

within a 10km radius of Killarney town and all

are within a 20-30 minute walk from a

location where you can park a car. Some of

the gems are located close together so with

some planning you could visit a couple of

gems in the one day!

Each of the sections of this guide will have a

more detailed map of the area where the Gem

is located. Please exercise caution and take

note of weather conditions before visiting any

of the locations outlined in the guide. The

maps reproduced here (courtesy of Google

4

Maps) should not be a substitute for checking

the routes carefully before visiting Killarney

National Park.

Map of Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems of Killarney

National Park

5

1. DERRYCUNNIHYCASCADE

Beautiful waterfalls in the oakwoods

The famous Ring of Kerry route attracts

visitors from all over the world every year. If

you travel the Ring in the traditional anti-

clockwise direction, the final stretch from

Moll's Gap to Killarney is one of the highlights

of the route. It is here that you will find a

beautiful area of Killarney National Park

known as Derrycunnihy. Hidden in the oak

woods just off the main N71 road,

Derrycunnihy Cascade & Falls is a magical

place in the heart of Killarney National Park.

How To Get There

6

A: Derrycunnihy Church. B: Lay-by parking area

Situated approximately 12km south of

Killarney town on the main N71 Kenmare

Road, the starting point for Derrycunnihy

Cascade is at a small lay-by about 1km before

Derrycunninhy church. There is room for a

couple of cars by the side of the road. When

parking here, please be careful not to block

access.

Follow the path for just under 1km through

a woodland path that can sometimes be

mucky underfoot. As the path opens out to a

river bank on your le hand side, a wooden

footbridge heralds your arrival at the

Derrycunnihy lower falls.

7

The Lower Falls

Derrycunnihy Lower Falls

The falls are just beyond the bridge and you

can follow a grassy path by the river bank to

get a wonderful view. The banks of the river

here provide ample room for a summer picnic

or to just enjoy the falls and the adjoining

pools. Nearby is the site where the Queen's

Cottage was once located. It was one of the

hunting lodges built for the visit of Queen

Victoria to Killarney in 1861. Today no trace of

the ruins remain.

8

Derrycunnihy Cascade

Derrycunnihy Cascade after some rain

Retracing your steps, cross over the bridge

again. Immediately a er you cross the bridge,

leave the main path and find a trail along the

river bank, heading upstream against the flow

of the river. Caution is needed here in wet

weather as some of the rocks can become

quite slippery. In a few hundred metres you

will arrive at the Cascade. If you are visiting

a er recent rains, the sounds and spray of the

Cascade will dominate the area.

Although the Derrycunnihy area has long

9

been recognised as a beauty spot, it is a place

that is sufficiently off the beaten track to

qualify it as a hidden gem of Killarney

National Park. Less than a kilometre from the

main road along an easy path, it is a special

place that you should make it your business to

see.

Read More:

Read the full post here on Killarney Guide

for more details and interactive maps.

10

2. ROSIE’S BEACH

A Secret Beach on Muckross Lake

On the shores of Muckross Lake, there is a

lovely little hideaway called Rosie’s Beach.

Known locally as the ‘secret beach’, it is a

beautifully secluded spot tucked away just off

the trail between Muckross House and Dinis

Cottage. This sandy inlet was reputedly one of

the favourite haunts of Elizabeth Rose (Rosie)

Vincent when her family were owners of the

Muckross Estate in the early twentieth

century.

How To Get ThereRosie’s beach is a few hundred metres off

the main Muckross & Dinis trail in Killarney

National Park. These paths do not allow

vehicular traffic so you can reach the spot by

foot, bicycle or horse-drawn jaunting car. If

you’re approaching by car, the closest car park

11

is about 2km away at Muckross House. Please

note that the Muckross House car park closes

in the evenings so check the closing times

before you set off.

Route from Muckross House Car Park

Leaving Muckross House directly behind

you, follow the signs for ‘Dinis Cottage’ and

‘The Meeting of the Waters ’. A er a few

hundred metres take a le turn to head out

along the peninsula. The point at which we

need to exit the trail to get to the beach is in

the ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ category. About

1.5km from Muckross House, there will be a

section of the trail where the Park opens up a

little on your right hand side. You may catch a

glimpse of Doo Lough over the tall grass if

12

you are cycling. Here’s where you need to be

careful and look out for a faint sign of a path

through the grass leaving the main path (on

your le hand side). There is a more

prominent viewing point with a bench

just beyond this so just back up a little and have

another look if you arrive at the bench.

Once you have picked up the trail, you

simply follow the woodland track for a few

minutes. If you are cycling, you may want to

leave your bike at this point and continue on

foot as the woodland terrain may require you

to li your bicycle over fallen branches or the

like.

The BeachAs you emerge from the woods, the lake

shore becomes visible and you arrive at the

beach. The sandy shore is perched slightly

below you with Torc Mountain rising high

from the opposite shore.

13

Rosie's Beach

Guarding the beach is an old Yew tree with

its root clinging on to the limestone shelves.

On a calm day, there is no better place to go

for a paddle or swim or just sit back and enjoy

the view.

Elizabeth Rose Vincent lived at Muckross

from 1915 until the death of her mother, Maud

in 1932. It is not hard to imagine this being the

scene of many a summer picnic or a paddle in

the lake for the young Rosie. Following her

mother’s passing, Rosie’s father and

grandfather donated the entire Muckross

Estate to the Irish nation. As a result of this

generosity, we can all now appreciate the

magic of this special place on the shores of

Muckross Lake.

Read More:

14

Read the full post here on Killarney

Guide for more details and interactive maps.

15

3. CROMAGLEN CASCADE

Hidden Falls in Tower Wood

Killarney National Park is endowed with

spectacular scenery throughout its 25,000

acres. Mountains, lakes, woodlands, parkland

as well historic sites and abundant wildlife are

to be found in all corners of the park. One of

the joys of roaming the park is wandering

through some of the lesser known parts and

discovering true hidden gems. Cromaglen

Cascade in the Tower Wood area is one such

place. A beautiful cascade tucked away in the

woods, it’s hard to believe that it is only a few

hundred metres from the busy Ring of Kerry

road where thousands pass by each year.

How To Get ThereTo get to the start of this trail, head south

from Killarney on the N71 towards Kenmare.

Continue past Muckross House and Torc

16

Waterfall. Approximately 5 miles (8km) from

the town, you will cross a low bridge with the

lake on either side of the bridge. Our starting

point is less than a mile from the bridge so

keep your eyes peeled for a lay-by on the le

hand side.

Route to Tower Wood

What you're looking for is the ruin of an old

tower house. This tower was used for keeping

an eye on the poachers in the Estate in years

gone by. If you're in luck, there should be

room for a couple of cars to park at the little

lay-by on the roadside near the tower. This

trail has no formal pathway as such but if you

follow the river and listen you will soon find

the waterfall. It is a very short walk ( just over a

17

kilometre there and back again) so it's well

worth putting up with a few prickly gorse

bushes and the odd muddy patch for the

reward you get at the cascade.

From the tower, head off in the direction of

the nearby river. Please note that there is some

uneven terrain and a small stream crossing on

this track. At the stream, the rocks provide a

makeshift stepping stone route but they can be

a bit wobbly so be careful where you step.

A er heavy rain and during the winter, it may

not be possible to ford the stream so take care

at this point. As you emerge at the opposite

bank of the stream the roar of the cascade

begins to rise. From here it's a short hop, skip

and a jump around some of the ancient oaks

before you are greeted by the cascade in front

of you.

Cromaglen CascadeThe waterfall itself is known as Cromaglan

Cascade, deriving its name from the nearby

mountain of the same name. All around you is

evidence of the hard work undertaken to clear

the area of rhododendron. In the recent past,

this area was almost impenetrable so it's great

18

to see the place accessible again. Follow the

bank to the le of the cascade and with a bit of

scrambling along some deer paths you will

soon emerge up on top of the cascade.

View from top of cascade

Looking back down on Tower Wood and

out over Killarney National Park, it truly is a

special place.

Cromaglen Cascade in Tower Wood may

not be as accessible or famous as some of its

more well-known neighbours in Killarney.

What it lacks in fame, it makes up for in

spades in the form of raw natural beauty and

peaceful tranquillity. The next time you pass

the Tower on this road, don’t miss the

opportunity to experience one of the best

hidden gems you will find in Killarney

National Park.

19

Read More:

Read the full post here on Killarney

Guide for more details and interactive maps.

20

4. LIBRARY POINT

Tranquility near Ross Castle

Ross Castle is one of the most famous

landmarks of Killarney National Park and it

continues to attract thousands of visitors every

year. On Ross Island, just over 2km from Ross

Castle, is Library Point, a limestone rock

formation on the shores of Lough Leane. The

beautiful trail that leads out to Library Point is

an idyllic journey through woodland tracks

and lakeshore paths. Step out of the shadows

of Ross Castle and discover a secluded and

peaceful peninsula trail.

Route Summary

Route Library Point

Distance 4-5km/3 miles approx.

21

GroundPaved paths, woodland

trails

Accessibility

Peninsula path rough

in parts, prone to

flooding

ElevationRolling paths with

some inclines

Environment Woodland, lakeshore

Facilities

Toilets, Coffee shop &

visitor centre (Ross

Castle), Boat trips (Ross &

Reen piers)

Conditions

Sheltered mostly,

exposed parts at

lakeshore

Family/Kids

Suitable for buggies,

scooters, kids bikes for

most of route. Cliff areas

require supervision

Dogs/Pets

Yes, keep dogs on leash

especially near old mine

shafts

22

Sights/Features

Mountains, Lakes, Red

Deer, Castle, Copper

Mines, café,

Options

Extend to all of Ross

Island, Extend to

Knockreer; Boat to

Innisfallen, Lake cruise,

kayaking

AvailabilityOpen All Year, Prone to

flooding in winter

How To Get ThereOne of the reasons for the popularity

o f Ross Castle is its close proximity to

Killarney town. The Castle is located

approximately 2.5km or just over a mile from

Killarney town centre. There is ample parking

at Ross Castle and plenty of places to securely

lock your bicycle around the castle grounds.

23

Ross Island Landmarks

The trail to Library Point is just over 2 km

from Ross Castle via the most direct route.

Start the trail at Ross Castle near an old mining

cart at the rear of the castle. Follow the path

along and you will shortly see the derelict Ross

Castle on your le hand side. The path rolls

along and you will shortly pass a gap in the

trees where you catch your first glimpse of

Lough Leane. At the far side of the lake, Torc

& Mangerton mountains rise up from the

lakeshore.

24

McGillycuddy Reeks view from trail to Library Point

You will soon reach the first signposted

junction. Turn right here to head for Library

Point & The Governor’s Rock. The path rises

up slightly as we head into the heart of Ross

Island through some magnificent woodland.

The meandering trail rolls down again to a

bend in the path where we turn off right

towards Library Point. From here it is about

1km to Library Point as we leave the woodland

to emerge into lower ground with marsh

either side of the trail. The lakeshore opens up

at secluded bays along this stretch with

wonderful views of the McGillycuddy Reeks

across Lough Leane.

25

Library PointTowards the end of the trail, you can wander

around the pathways until you find a low

fence towards the edge of the peninsula.

Underneath this fence at the water's edge is

the rock formation known as Library Point.

The limestone rock has been eroded to form a

pattern that resembles books stacked on a

shelf. From here, you are looking out across to

the nearby shores of Innisfallen Island.

View from Library Point: Innisfallen Island with the Dingle

Penninsula on the horizon

Behind the landing pier on Innisfallen, you

will catch a glimpse of the 12th century ruins

on the island. You can return back to Ross

Castle by retracing your steps on the path but

there is a lovely trail around the head of the

peninsula that is a nicer way to rejoin the

main trail. Returning to the main trail we will

rejoin the original path that leads back to Ross

26

Castle by cutting through the centre of the

island. Follow this path to arrive back to your

starting point at the old mining cart near the

main car park.

Despite being situated only minutes away

from one of the busiest and most visited parts

of Killarney National Park, Library Point is a

world away from the hustle and bustle of the

vibrant visitor hot spot that is Ross Castle.

Emerging from the woodland of the peninsula

on Ross Island, Library Point has a wonderful

vista out to Innisfallen Island and the

McGillycuddy Reeks beyond. The meandering

paths through woodland and along the

lakeshore to take you there make this one of

my favourite trails of Killarney National Park.

Read More:

Read the full post here on Killarney

Guide for more details and interactive maps.

27

5. OLD WEIR BRIDGE

An ancient landmark

The Old Weir Bridge is one of Killarney’s

oldest structures and it has seen thousands of

visitors pass over and under its famous arches

for centuries. Despite its fame, not everyone is

lucky enough to make it to the bridge. Make

sure to take a little detour so that you can

experience the magical setting of the Old Weir

Bridge in Killarney National Park.

How To Get ThereThere are a number of ways to get to the

Old Weir Bridge – by boat, by walking on a

bicycle or a combination of some of these.

The nearest car parking spot on the main N71

Killarney to Kenmare road is a distance of

about 1.5km away. From here, it is about a 20-

25 minute walk to the Old Weir Bridge.

28

Route to Old Weir Bridge from N71

Dinis Cottage is the landmark closest to the

Old Weir Bridge if you are approaching from

dry land. The Cottage houses tea rooms in the

summer months and there are toilet facilities

here also. From the Cottage, the Old Weir

Bridge is only a few hundred metres via a trail

that meanders through the woods and streams

that surround the cottage.

The start of the trail is marked by a grey sign

a few hundred metres east of Dinis Cottage (on

the path from the N71 car park). Beware that

the start of the trail can o en be flooded

during the winter or a er some heavy rain

when the lake is high. With some adventurous

29

spirit and a bit of off-trail navigating, you

should be able to avoid the water and find the

trail to make your way to the bridge.

The Old Weir BridgeThere are some boardwalks placed on the

trail to help you make your way through some

of the more uneven and damp ground. In a

few minutes, the path drops slightly as reach

the bridge.

Old Weir Bridge after some heavy rain

The end of the Long Range river coming

from the Upper Lake is on your le hand side.

The Meeting of the Waters and Dinis Cottage

30

is off to the right. The bridge has been

recently restored so that the walls are now

fully intact. For many years the bridge was in

disrepair and the walls had crumbled away to

ankle level.

The Old Weir Bridge is a special place in

many ways. It is situated near to where the

three lakes of Killarney meet and diverge. It is

a tranquil place yet it can be wild and

spectacular a er heavy rains when the lake is

high. Despite its long history and tradition of

visitors, it still retains a sense of remoteness.

So come off the beaten track for a while and

spend some time at the Old Weir Bridge. It

will be time well spent for sure.

Read More:

Read the full post here on Killarney

Guide for more details and interactive maps.

31

THANK YOU

Encore

Thanks for downloading and reading the

Hidden Gems of Killarney National Park. I

hope you found it useful and it will encourage

you to get out and about in Killarney National

Park.

For updates from Killarney Guide, you can

subscribe via email here

thanks!

Donal O'Leary

32

33

CREDITS

Donal O'Leary is a native of Killarney andwrites about the wonders of Killarney NationalPark at Killarney Guide.

Say hello on Facebook or Twitter .

email: hello@killarneyguide.ie

The full articles for Hidden Gems of KillarneyNational Park were originally published onKillarney Guide.

34