Muckross Friary and Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland

Cloister Yew Tree, Muckross Friary, Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.

A gem hidden within the grounds of Killarney National Park, Muckross Friary is located about a mile (on foot) from the parking lot of the sprawling mansion known as Muckross House. The monastery was once home to the strict order of the Observantine Franciscans, but had a relatively short life as a working friary. In 1541, only about a hundred years after its founding, Henry VIII ordered Muckross’s suppression. It was re-established in 1612, but Cromwellian forces finally drove out the inhabitants and burned the structure in 1652.

Today, Muckross’s most notable feature is the old yew tree that rises dramatically from the center of its cloister. Its bell tower, which was a later edition to the building, is also unique to Irish Franciscan buildings in that it spans the full width of the church.

The trails in Muckross Estate are easily managed and bountifully lined with twisting trees and fields of flowers. However, if you prefer not to walk, jaunting cars (aka, horse-drawn carriages) are available for hire at the parking area by Friar’s Glen and Torc Waterfall. Their eager drivers compete to take tourists past the sites along Muckross lake, and are willing to bargain with would-be passengers. The ride should cost around 5 Euro.

Torc Waterfall, Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Josh in Friar’s Glen, Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.

Iveragh Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland

After leaving Dingle, we made our way down Iveragh Peninsula towards the ports we hoped would take us to Skellig Michael and its resident puffins. We eventually settled in for the night at the lovely Final Furlong B&B, where we watched horses graze in the backyard while the sun set over the lake.

View of the Skelligs (far backround) and nearby islands, from Iveragh Peninsula. Panorama by Joshua Albers, May 28, 2013.

We knew that getting to the Skelligs would be something of a gamble, as boats don’t go out in poor weather and weather in Ireland is unpredictable. I was, therefore, relieved the next morning to find the sky overcast but not rainy, and we hurried on to find a ship to take us to this much anticipated destination. What we didn’t realize was that even though the weather on land seemed fine, the wind was making the sea too choppy for safe passage. No ships were making the journey to the Skellig rocks that day, nor were they expected to go out in the near future. Eventually, we admitted defeat and journeyed on.

With much of the day suddenly open ahead of us, we decided to take our time along the Ring of Kerry and made multiple stops within Killarney National Park.

Upper Lake, Killarney National Park. Panorama by Joshua Albers, May 28, 2013.
Iveragh Peninsula. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Iveragh Peninsula. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Killarney National Park. Photo by Joshua Albers, May 28, 2013.
Torc Waterfall, Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Muckross Abbey, Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Yew tree in cloister of Muckross Abbey, Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.
Killarney National Park. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz, May 28, 2013.