The charming town of Killarney

Killarney is one of Ireland's most popular tourist towns, set on the edge of Killarney National Park in County Kerry. The compact centre is built around High Street, Main Street and New Street, lined with traditional pubs, craft shops, restaurants and hotels housed in colourful 19th-century buildings. St Mary's Cathedral, designed by Augustus Pugin and completed in the 1850s, anchors the western end of the town and is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture.

The town's enduring appeal lies in its position. The 26,000 acres of Killarney National Park begin at the southern edge of town, encompassing the famous Lakes of Killarney, Muckross House and Gardens, Ross Castle and the slopes of Mangerton and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Jaunting cars (horse-drawn carriages) still depart from the town to ferry visitors out to Ross Castle and Muckross, a tradition that has continued for well over a century.

Killarney is also a natural base for the Ring of Kerry, the Gap of Dunloe and the Dingle Peninsula, and the town's rail and bus connections make it easy to reach from Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Evenings are known for traditional music sessions in pubs such as The Laurels and Courtney's.