Killarney
Encyclopedia
Killarney is a town in County Kerry
, southwestern Ireland
. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane
which are part of Killarney National Park
. The town and its surrounding region are home to St. Mary's Cathedral
, Ross Castle
, Muckross House
and Abbey
, Lakes of Killarney
, Torc Waterfall
and the Gap of Dunloe
.
Killarney was awarded the prestigious "Best Kept Town" award in 2007 in a cross-border competition jointly organised by the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council. Owing to its natural heritage, history and proximity to the Dingle Peninsula
, Skellig Michael
island and its location on the Ring of Kerry
, Killarney is a popular tourist destination.
On Sep 5th 2011 Killarney was named Ireland's tidiest town (similar to the award it won in 2007). The Co Kerry town also scooped the prize for Ireland's tidiest large town. It comes just a week after the town was declared the cleanest in the country by Irish Business Against Litter.
and east to Cork
); the National Secondary Routes N72
(west to Killorglin
) and the N71
(south to Bantry
).
There are train services to Tralee, Limerick
, Cork and Dublin operated by Iarnród Éireann
. Bus Éireann
provides bus services to Limerick (and onwards to Dublin), Tralee, Cork, Kenmare
and Skibbereen
. Killarney railway station
opened on 15 July 1853.
Kerry Airport
, in Farranfore
between Tralee and Killarney, provides an increasing number of air services. Cork Airport, easily accessible by bus or rail, also serves the Kerry region.
Killarney Athletic was founded in 1965. Originally the club played in the centre of Killarney, but have since moved to a modern facility (with two pitches) in the Woodlawn area of the town.
Killarney Celtic was founded in 1976. The club purchased their own ground in 1993 and have invested in their facilities since then. There is 1 grass pitch and 1 fifa 1 star full size synthetic all weather pitch (both floodlit to match standard)1 50 x 80 meter grass training pitch and a 70 x 35 metre synthetic training pitch which is also fully floodlit.
Mountainbike European Championships for Masters.
teams: Dr. Crokes
, Killarney Legion
and Spa
. The rural hinterland has a large number of football teams, such as Kilcummin, Fossa, Firies, Glenflesk and Gneeveguilla. All these teams compete in the Kerry County league and the East Kerry Senior Football Championship
(O'Donoghue Cup) and league.
Dr Crokes are the most successful of these teams, with the most notable triumphs being the capture of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
in 1992 and the Munster Senior Club Football Championship
in 1991 1990 and 2007 . The club has also won the County Championship on 7 separate occasions, the last being in 2010. Dr Crokes are the only club in Killarney with a hurling
team, which has had some important successes, most recently winning the Kerry Intermediate Hurling Championship
in 1999 and 2001.
clubs in the town, who share a common history in Ireland's oldest surviving regatta, the Killarney Regatta, which is held annually on the first or second Sunday in July. The six clubs are Commercial RC (Killarney), Flesk Valley RC, Fossa RC, Muckross RC, St. Brendan's RC and Workmen RC. The style of rowing seen at the regatta is traditional, fixed seat rowing in wide, wooden 6 person boats. Since the eighties, a number of the clubs have moved toward coastal type rowing and modern 'slide' or Olympic style rowing.
Muckross Rowing Club is the largest and most successful of the clubs, having developed into a full time 'sliding' club with 24 National Championships (since 1996) at various levels from Junior to Senior. A number of members of the club have also been selected to row for Ireland and have competed successfully at the Home International Regatta, Coupe de la Jeunesse
, World Rowing Championships
and Olympic Games
. Paul Griffin and Sean Casey, members of Muckross Rowing Club and Cathal Moynihan, a former member, are Olympic and Irish World Championship rowers. Paul Griffin, racing in Irish Mens Lightweight Four, finished sixth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and a bronze at the 2006 World Championships. As a member of the Lightweight Four, Paul was overall category winner of the 2006 World Cup Rowing series. Sean Casey represented Ireland in the Mens Heavyweight Four at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In the same crew, Sean also won the 'B' final (seventh overall) at the 2006 World Championships and won bronze at the 2006 Munich World Cup Regatta. Cathal Moynihan joined Paul Griffin in the Irish Lightweight Four, which raced at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Cathal made his international Senior début in the Mens Lightweight Four at the 2007 Linz World Cup Regatta in Austria.
play in the Munster Junior League. The club's 1st XV won promotion to Division 2 in 2009-10,. while the same season the club fielded a 2nd XV for the first time. The club has also a large youth and underage set-up catering for all young enthuasists from the town and surrounding areas.
attracts various national competitions such as the Irish Open
.
" (1914), "For Killarney and you" (1916), "My little cottage home in sweet Killarney"(1917), "Oh my Lily of Killarney" (1917).
"There's Only the One Killarney" is a song that was written by Irish songwriter Dick Farrelly
and recorded by Irish tenor Patrich O'Hagan. Killarney also appears in "How Can You Buy Killarney," written by Kennedy, Steels, Grant and Morrison, and recorded by Joseph Locke, among others. Killarney is also mentioned in "Christmas in Killarney
" (written by Redmond, Cavanaugh and Weldon) and "Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?" (written by Kennedy and Carr), both most notably recorded by Bing Crosby
. "Some Say the Devil is Dead" by Derek Warfield contains the line 'Some say the devil is dead and buried in Kallarney/ More say he rose again and joined the British Army.' http://www.kinglaoghaire.com/site/lyrics/song_397.html
manufacturing and shoe making were major industries in the town during the last century but have since seen decline. Liebherr Cranes
have had a presence in Killarney since 1958, with a combined manufacturing/research and development facility in the town. Dollinger-SPX, a filtration
products firm and KMG Killarney Plastics have production facilities in the local IDA
Industrial Estate. Indigenous firms such as Torc Engineering and National Organic Products have established small industries in Killarney. Monex Financial Services operate a facility specialising in the processing of Credit Card Payments worldwide at Killarney Technology Park. Muckross Pottery and Muckross Weavers based beside Muckross House have a small tableware and woolens business aimed at the tourist market, a neighbouring bookbinding facility carries out book and manuscript restoration and binds high quality books for universities, publishers and libraries. Kerry Woolen Mills is a family firm that manufactures hats, gloves, sweaters, women's fashion, blankets, scarfs and stockings at their premises near Beaufort. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
have also moved to Killarney, a key beneficiary of the decentalisation of Civil Service
departments outside the capital, Dublin. Certain sections of the Department of Justice have been situated in Killarney for a number of years.
Tourism is by far the largest industry in Killarney. With the exception of Dublin, there are more hotel beds in Killarney than in any other Irish town or city. The tourist population is increasingly diverse however a significant proportion of tourists originate from the US, Ireland, the UK, Germany and other European countries.
Killarney's tourism history goes back at least to the mid 18th century, when Thomas, fourth Viscount Kenmare, began to attract visitors and new residents to the town. The date of 1747 was used in recent 250-year celebrations to honour the history of Killarney tourism. A visit by Queen Victoria in 1861 gave the town international exposure, which it has enjoyed ever since. In the Summer months, Killarney is busy with tourists perusing the town's numerous shops and tourist attractions. Many shops are tourist oriented with many gift shops around the town. The town centre also offers a wide range of hotels, pubs and restaurants to cater for every requirement. Killarney is also famous for its jaunting cars (horse drawn carts) operated by local jarvies. Tourists can avail of jaunting car rides and a guided tour of the town's attractions offered by the jarvies.
Killarney SummerFest is a highlight of the year in the town, featuring outdoor and indoor concerts from major Irish and international acts. Previous acts include Bryan Adams
, Snow Patrol
, The Cranberries
, The Corrs
, Westlife
, Tom Jones
, Kris Kristofferson
, David Gray
, Pink
, Shane Ward and KT Tunstall
. In 2009, the SummerFest played host to the only Irish concert for 2009 of the Pussycat Dolls
supported by Industry
. Other events during the SummerFest 2009 included outdoor theatre, art exhibitions, children's events, and the annual SummerFest Black Tie Ball. Sporting events during the festival included the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, the Killarney Regatta, the 5 km SummerFest Fun Run and the Killarney Races.
, which was held every year over the Easter
holiday weekend. Nowadays, on the first weekend of May each year, the town plays host to the International Rally of the Lakes. The rally brings spectators in their thousands to watch the top tarmac rally crews do battle over the classic stages of the southwest.
In recent years the event has attracted vast numbers of "boy racers" and an increase in public order offences. The 2008 event saw a large Gardaí presence in the town to tackle such problems but the event was still marred by 64 arrests in the town for various degrees of public order offences including burnt out cars, destruction of property and numerous reckless driving arrests
with:
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, southwestern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane
Lakes of Killarney
The Lakes of Killarney are a renowned scenic attraction located near Killarney, County Kerry, in Ireland. They consist of three lakes - Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake.Lough Leane is the largest of the three lakes...
which are part of Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932...
. The town and its surrounding region are home to St. Mary's Cathedral
St. Mary's Cathedral, Killarney
St. Mary's Cathedral, Killarney is a Roman Catholic cathedral in County Kerry, Republic of Ireland.-Bibliography:*Peter Galloway, The Cathedrals of Ireland, The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast, 1992-External links:*...
, Ross Castle
Ross Castle
Ross Castle is the ancestral home of the O'Donoghue clan though it is better known for its association with the Brownes of Killarney who owned it until recently...
, Muckross House
Muckross House
Muckross House is located on the small Muckross Peninsula between Muckross Lake and Lough Leane, two of the lakes of Killarney, from the town of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland....
and Abbey
Muckross Abbey
Muckross Abbey is one of the major ecclesiastical sites found in the Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1448 as a Franciscan friary for the Observantine Franciscans by Donal McCarthy Mor....
, Lakes of Killarney
Lakes of Killarney
The Lakes of Killarney are a renowned scenic attraction located near Killarney, County Kerry, in Ireland. They consist of three lakes - Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake.Lough Leane is the largest of the three lakes...
, Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is a waterfall at the base of Torc Mountain, about from Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.The falls are one of the landmarks on the 200 kilometre Kerry Way walking tour, and are encompassed in the Killarney National Park...
and the Gap of Dunloe
Gap of Dunloe
The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass between Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Purple Mountain in County Kerry, Ireland. It is about from north to south. Within it are five lakes: Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake, and Black Lough . These lakes are connected by the River Loe...
.
Killarney was awarded the prestigious "Best Kept Town" award in 2007 in a cross-border competition jointly organised by the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council. Owing to its natural heritage, history and proximity to the Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost of the major peninsulae in County Kerry. Its ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland.-Name:...
, Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael , also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean about 9 miles from the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is the larger of the two Skellig Islands...
island and its location on the Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. The route covers the 179 km circular road , starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin...
, Killarney is a popular tourist destination.
On Sep 5th 2011 Killarney was named Ireland's tidiest town (similar to the award it won in 2007). The Co Kerry town also scooped the prize for Ireland's tidiest large town. It comes just a week after the town was declared the cleanest in the country by Irish Business Against Litter.
Transport
Killarney is served by National Primary Route N22 (north to Tralee and CastleislandCastleisland
Castleisland is a town and commercial centre in County Kerry in south west Ireland. The town is renowned for the width of its main street. Castleisland has a population of 2,170....
and east to Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
); the National Secondary Routes N72
N72 road (Ireland)
The N72 road is a national secondary road in Ireland that runs east-west from its junction with the N25 near Dungarvan in County Waterford to the N70 in Killorglin in County Kerry....
(west to Killorglin
Killorglin
Killorglin is a town in County Kerry, Ireland. It is located on the river Laune, which has a rowing club and a new boathouse. The population of Killorglin is 4,150 although this expands considerably during Puck Fair due to visitors and returning emigrants.Killorglin is a major activity centre...
) and the N71
N71 road (Ireland)
-Road standard:The road is mostly relatively poor single carriageway, with better sections towards the Cork end of the route. There are wide sections with climbing/passing lanes, including a very rare configuration with a passing lane on both sides, and a dual carriageway section approaching...
(south to Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
).
There are train services to Tralee, Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, Cork and Dublin operated by Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
. Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann provides bus services in Ireland with the exception of those operated entirely within the Dublin Region, which are provided by Dublin Bus. Bus Éireann, established as a separate company in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann. The logo of Bus Éireann incorporates a red Irish...
provides bus services to Limerick (and onwards to Dublin), Tralee, Cork, Kenmare
Kenmare
Kenmare is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara meaning "head of the sea", referring to the head of Kenmare Bay.-Location:...
and Skibbereen
Skibbereen
Skibbereen , is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is the most southerly town in Ireland. It is located on the N71 national secondary road.The name "Skibbereen" means "little boat harbour." The River Ilen which runs through the town reaches the sea at Baltimore.-History:Prior to 1600 most of the...
. Killarney railway station
Killarney railway station
Killarney railway station serves the town of Killarney in County Kerry. It is situated next to the bus station and the Killarney outlet centre. The station has a moderately large stone building on the southside of the main platform, and a short overall roof. Since the platform was extended during...
opened on 15 July 1853.
Kerry Airport
Kerry Airport
-Ground transportation:Kerry Airport is approximately from both Cork and Limerick. Iarnród Éireann's Farranfore railway station is located to the south with services to Killarney, Tralee, Cork and Dublin....
, in Farranfore
Farranfore
Farranfore is a village in County Kerry, Ireland. It lies on the N22 road approximately midway between Tralee and Killarney and on the railway line connecting those two towns....
between Tralee and Killarney, provides an increasing number of air services. Cork Airport, easily accessible by bus or rail, also serves the Kerry region.
Soccer
Killarney has two soccer clubs—both of which compete in the Kerry District League.Killarney Athletic was founded in 1965. Originally the club played in the centre of Killarney, but have since moved to a modern facility (with two pitches) in the Woodlawn area of the town.
Killarney Celtic was founded in 1976. The club purchased their own ground in 1993 and have invested in their facilities since then. There is 1 grass pitch and 1 fifa 1 star full size synthetic all weather pitch (both floodlit to match standard)1 50 x 80 meter grass training pitch and a 70 x 35 metre synthetic training pitch which is also fully floodlit.
Cycling
In 2011 Killarney will be the host of the UCIUCI
UCI usually refers to the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for the sport of cycling.UCI may also refer to:* United Cinemas International* United Kennel Clubs International...
Mountainbike European Championships for Masters.
Gaelic games
Killarney has three Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
teams: Dr. Crokes
Dr. Crokes
Dr Crokes is a Gaelic football club based in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. Famous current players include Colm "Gooch" Cooper and Eoin Brosnan....
, Killarney Legion
Killarney Legion
Killarney Legion are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. The club was founded on a March evening in 1929 when a group of eleven men held a meeting in the then Temperance Hall in High Street, Killarney .-Recent history:In the 2007 Kerry Senior Football...
and Spa
Spa GAA
Spa GAA is a Gaelic football club based in Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.The club gets its name from the Spa Well, a source of water with health giving properties, which is situated on the road side in the town land of Tullig, approximately three miles from Killarney town centre...
. The rural hinterland has a large number of football teams, such as Kilcummin, Fossa, Firies, Glenflesk and Gneeveguilla. All these teams compete in the Kerry County league and the East Kerry Senior Football Championship
East Kerry Senior Football Championship
The East Kerry Senior Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition for teams affiliated to the East Kerry division. Most adult clubs in the division compete for this cup, even if they are playing at junior or intermediate grades. The competition has been dominated by Dr. Crokes. The...
(O'Donoghue Cup) and league.
Dr Crokes are the most successful of these teams, with the most notable triumphs being the capture of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
in 1992 and the Munster Senior Club Football Championship
Munster Senior Club Football Championship
The Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
in 1991 1990 and 2007 . The club has also won the County Championship on 7 separate occasions, the last being in 2010. Dr Crokes are the only club in Killarney with a hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
team, which has had some important successes, most recently winning the Kerry Intermediate Hurling Championship
Kerry Intermediate Hurling Championship
The Kerry Intermediate Hurling Championship is a Hurling Championship played in Co Kerry. Many of the Senior teams in the county second teams play in the championship. The winners play in the Munster Junior Club Hurling Championship and All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship. -Roll of honour:...
in 1999 and 2001.
Rowing
There are six active rowingRowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
clubs in the town, who share a common history in Ireland's oldest surviving regatta, the Killarney Regatta, which is held annually on the first or second Sunday in July. The six clubs are Commercial RC (Killarney), Flesk Valley RC, Fossa RC, Muckross RC, St. Brendan's RC and Workmen RC. The style of rowing seen at the regatta is traditional, fixed seat rowing in wide, wooden 6 person boats. Since the eighties, a number of the clubs have moved toward coastal type rowing and modern 'slide' or Olympic style rowing.
Muckross Rowing Club is the largest and most successful of the clubs, having developed into a full time 'sliding' club with 24 National Championships (since 1996) at various levels from Junior to Senior. A number of members of the club have also been selected to row for Ireland and have competed successfully at the Home International Regatta, Coupe de la Jeunesse
Coupe de la Jeunesse
The Coupe de la Jeunesse, is an international rowing regatta rowed over 2,000 m every year. It was founded in 1985 and is open to rowers who are 18 or under by the end of the current calendar year. It is a two-day team event, with points awarded to nations based on finishing position in each...
, World Rowing Championships
World Rowing Championships
The World Rowing Championships is an international rowing regatta organized by FISA . It is a week long event held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer and in non-Olympic years is the highlight of the international rowing calendar.The first event was held in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1962...
and Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Paul Griffin and Sean Casey, members of Muckross Rowing Club and Cathal Moynihan, a former member, are Olympic and Irish World Championship rowers. Paul Griffin, racing in Irish Mens Lightweight Four, finished sixth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and a bronze at the 2006 World Championships. As a member of the Lightweight Four, Paul was overall category winner of the 2006 World Cup Rowing series. Sean Casey represented Ireland in the Mens Heavyweight Four at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In the same crew, Sean also won the 'B' final (seventh overall) at the 2006 World Championships and won bronze at the 2006 Munich World Cup Regatta. Cathal Moynihan joined Paul Griffin in the Irish Lightweight Four, which raced at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Cathal made his international Senior début in the Mens Lightweight Four at the 2007 Linz World Cup Regatta in Austria.
Rugby
Killarney RFCKillarney RFC
Killarney Rugby Football Club is a Rugby Union club based in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It is affiliated to the Munster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club competes in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League and are the current holders of the Munster Junior Plate and...
play in the Munster Junior League. The club's 1st XV won promotion to Division 2 in 2009-10,. while the same season the club fielded a 2nd XV for the first time. The club has also a large youth and underage set-up catering for all young enthuasists from the town and surrounding areas.
Golf
Killarney Golf & Fishing ClubKillarney Golf & Fishing Club
Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is a private golf club on the shore of Lough Leane just west of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. The club has three 18-hole golf courses, Killeen, Lackabane and Mahony’s Point....
attracts various national competitions such as the Irish Open
Irish Open (golf)
The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
.
Killarney in Song
At the beginning of the 20th century, when music-hall songs in England about "Good Old Ireland" were all the rage, a number of these songs included reference to Killarney, Notably "My Father Was Born In Killarney - Don’t Run Down The Irish" (1910), "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo RalToo Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral
"Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral " is a classic Irish song originally written in 1914 by composer James Royce Shannon and popularised by Bing Crosby in 1944's Going My Way.-Lyrics:[Verse 1]Over In Killarney,Many years ago,...
" (1914), "For Killarney and you" (1916), "My little cottage home in sweet Killarney"(1917), "Oh my Lily of Killarney" (1917).
"There's Only the One Killarney" is a song that was written by Irish songwriter Dick Farrelly
Dick Farrelly
Dick Farrelly born Richard Farrelly was an Irish songwriter, policeman and poet, composer of "The Isle of Innisfree", the song for which he is best remembered. His parents were publicans and when Dick was twenty-three he left Kells, County Meath for Dublin to join the Irish Police Force...
and recorded by Irish tenor Patrich O'Hagan. Killarney also appears in "How Can You Buy Killarney," written by Kennedy, Steels, Grant and Morrison, and recorded by Joseph Locke, among others. Killarney is also mentioned in "Christmas in Killarney
Christmas in Killarney
"Christmas in Killarney" is an Irish Christmas song written by John Redmond, James Cavanaugh and Frank Weldon, copyright 1950. This song has been performed by many artists, most notably Bing Crosby on his album Merry Christmas. The singer Ruby Murray also recorded a version during the 1950s, as did...
" (written by Redmond, Cavanaugh and Weldon) and "Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?" (written by Kennedy and Carr), both most notably recorded by Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
. "Some Say the Devil is Dead" by Derek Warfield contains the line 'Some say the devil is dead and buried in Kallarney/ More say he rose again and joined the British Army.' http://www.kinglaoghaire.com/site/lyrics/song_397.html
Industry
HosieryHosiery
Hosiery, also referred to as legwear, describes garments worn directly on the feet and legs. The term originated as the collective term for products of which a maker or seller is termed a hosier; and those products are also known generically as hose...
manufacturing and shoe making were major industries in the town during the last century but have since seen decline. Liebherr Cranes
Liebherr Group
The Liebherr Group is a German manufacturing complex established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. The Liebherr Group's holding company is Liebherr-International AG in Bulle, Switzerland, which is entirely owned by members of the Liebherr family...
have had a presence in Killarney since 1958, with a combined manufacturing/research and development facility in the town. Dollinger-SPX, a filtration
Filtration
Filtration is commonly the mechanical or physical operation which is used for the separation of solids from fluids by interposing a medium through which only the fluid can pass...
products firm and KMG Killarney Plastics have production facilities in the local IDA
IDA Ireland
IDA Ireland is the agency responsible for industrial development in Ireland. The agency was founded in 1949 as the Industrial Development Authority and placed on a statutory footing a year later...
Industrial Estate. Indigenous firms such as Torc Engineering and National Organic Products have established small industries in Killarney. Monex Financial Services operate a facility specialising in the processing of Credit Card Payments worldwide at Killarney Technology Park. Muckross Pottery and Muckross Weavers based beside Muckross House have a small tableware and woolens business aimed at the tourist market, a neighbouring bookbinding facility carries out book and manuscript restoration and binds high quality books for universities, publishers and libraries. Kerry Woolen Mills is a family firm that manufactures hats, gloves, sweaters, women's fashion, blankets, scarfs and stockings at their premises near Beaufort. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Ireland)
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is the senior minister at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the Government of Ireland.The current minister is Jimmy Deenihan, TD. He is assisted by:...
have also moved to Killarney, a key beneficiary of the decentalisation of Civil Service
Civil service of the Republic of Ireland
The Civil Service of Ireland is the collective term for the permanent staff of the Departments of State and certain State Agencies who advise and work for the Government of Ireland. It consists of two broad components, the Civil Service of the Government and the Civil Service of the State...
departments outside the capital, Dublin. Certain sections of the Department of Justice have been situated in Killarney for a number of years.
Tourism
Killarney's tourism history goes back at least to the mid 18th century, when Thomas, fourth Viscount Kenmare, began to attract visitors and new residents to the town. The date of 1747 was used in recent 250-year celebrations to honour the history of Killarney tourism. A visit by Queen Victoria in 1861 gave the town international exposure, which it has enjoyed ever since. In the Summer months, Killarney is busy with tourists perusing the town's numerous shops and tourist attractions. Many shops are tourist oriented with many gift shops around the town. The town centre also offers a wide range of hotels, pubs and restaurants to cater for every requirement. Killarney is also famous for its jaunting cars (horse drawn carts) operated by local jarvies. Tourists can avail of jaunting car rides and a guided tour of the town's attractions offered by the jarvies.
Killarney SummerFest is a highlight of the year in the town, featuring outdoor and indoor concerts from major Irish and international acts. Previous acts include Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
, Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, The Cranberries
The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
, The Corrs
The Corrs
The Corrs are an Irish band which combine pop rock with traditional Celtic folk music. The brother and sisters are from Dundalk, Ireland. The group consists of the Corr siblings: Andrea ; Sharon ; Caroline ; and Jim .The Corrs came to international prominence with their performance at the...
, Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
, Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
, Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
, David Gray
David Gray (musician)
David Gray is an English singer-songwriter. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later...
, Pink
Pink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
, Shane Ward and KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall
Kate Victoria "KT" Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist from St Andrews, Scotland. She broke into the public eye with a 2004 live solo performance of her song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland...
. In 2009, the SummerFest played host to the only Irish concert for 2009 of the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
supported by Industry
Industry (Irish band)
Industry were a pop mixed boy/girl group formed in Ireland in 2009. The band comprised Donal Skehan, Morgan Deane, Michele McGrath and British Lee Hutton...
. Other events during the SummerFest 2009 included outdoor theatre, art exhibitions, children's events, and the annual SummerFest Black Tie Ball. Sporting events during the festival included the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, the Killarney Regatta, the 5 km SummerFest Fun Run and the Killarney Races.
Attractions
- Lakes of KillarneyLakes of KillarneyThe Lakes of Killarney are a renowned scenic attraction located near Killarney, County Kerry, in Ireland. They consist of three lakes - Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake.Lough Leane is the largest of the three lakes...
- Killarney National ParkKillarney National ParkKillarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932...
- Muckross HouseMuckross HouseMuckross House is located on the small Muckross Peninsula between Muckross Lake and Lough Leane, two of the lakes of Killarney, from the town of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland....
- The Black ValleyThe Black ValleyThe Black Valley in County Kerry, is a remote location in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks situated south of the Gap of Dunloe and north of Moll's Gap. The valley is also part of the Kerry Way, a walkers version of the Ring of Kerry beginning and ending in Killarney....
- AghadoeAghadoeAghadoe is a large townland overlooking the town and lakes of Killarney in Ireland. Officially it is also a parish, although the parish is larger than the area normally associated with the name. The area is famous for its views of the lakes and islands, including Innisfallen Island...
- Ross CastleRoss CastleRoss Castle is the ancestral home of the O'Donoghue clan though it is better known for its association with the Brownes of Killarney who owned it until recently...
- this square medieval tower was built by the O'Donoghues on the shores of Lough Lein in the 15th century. Now restored, the castle houses a collection of sixteenth and 17th century oak furniture. Ross Castle is the departure point for boat tours on Lough Lein.
Nightlife
Killarney is a popular destination for party goers. Killarney's nightspots are often busy seven days a week during the summer months, when the population of the town and the surrounding area increases significantly.Car rallying
Until the early 1980s, Killarney was the destination of the Circuit of Ireland RallyCircuit of Ireland Rally
The Circuit of Ireland International Rally is an annual automobile rally, which was first held in 1931 making it the second oldest rally in the world. The most recent event was held in 2010....
, which was held every year over the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
holiday weekend. Nowadays, on the first weekend of May each year, the town plays host to the International Rally of the Lakes. The rally brings spectators in their thousands to watch the top tarmac rally crews do battle over the classic stages of the southwest.
In recent years the event has attracted vast numbers of "boy racers" and an increase in public order offences. The 2008 event saw a large Gardaí presence in the town to tackle such problems but the event was still marred by 64 arrests in the town for various degrees of public order offences including burnt out cars, destruction of property and numerous reckless driving arrests
People
- Dick FitzgeraldDick FitzgeraldDick Fitzgerald was an Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Dr. Crokes and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1903 until 1923. Fitzgerald captained Kerry to back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 1913 and 1914-Biography:Dick was born in College...
, Kerry Gaelic footballer - Paul CoghlanPaul CoghlanPaul Coghlan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and member of Seanad Éireann since September 1997. He is currently Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Defence and Government Chief Whip in the Seanad....
, Senator - John O'Leary, former TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
- Edward EagarEdward Eagar-Early life:Eagar was born in Killarney, Ireland. His parents were landed gentry so he was well educated. He trained as a solicitor and became an attorney to His Majesty's Courts in Ireland. In 1809 he was charged with forging a bill of exchange, and he was convicted and sentenced to death...
, lawyer and convict - Michael FassbenderMichael FassbenderMichael Fassbender is an Irish-German actor. He is best known for playing Lt. Archie Hicox in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and Magneto in the superhero blockbuster X-Men: First Class...
, actor - Hugh Kelly, writer
- Michael Moynihan, former TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
- Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, former TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
- Michael McElhattonMichael McElhatton (footballer)Michael McElhatton is a former Irish footballer.-Playing career:McElhatton began his career with AFC Bournemouth, progressing from the youth ranks to the first-team. After a spell with Scarborough from 1996–1998, he switched to Conference side Rushden & Diamonds, where he would play for four...
, soccer player - Diarmuid O'CarrollDiarmuid O'CarrollDiarmuid O'Carroll is an Irish professional footballer, who currently plays as a forward for IFA Premiership side Glenavon.- Club career :...
, soccer player - Brendan MoloneyBrendan MoloneyBrendan Moloney is an Irish football player currently playing for Nottingham Forest.-Career:...
, soccer player - John M. O'SullivanJohn M. O'SullivanJohn M. O'Sullivan was an Irish politician, cabinet minister and academic.John Marcus O'Sullivan was born in Killarney, County Kerry in 1891. He was educated at St. Brendan's, Killarney, Clongowes Wood, Kildare, University College Dublin and the Universities of Bonn and Heidelberg where he was...
, TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal... - Colm CooperColm CooperColm ‘Gooch’ Cooper is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Dr. Croke’s and has been a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team since 2002. Cooper is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.-Club:Cooper helped Dr. Crokes win the 2000 Kerry...
, Gaelic footballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er. - Eoin BrosnanEoin BrosnanEoin Brosnan is an Irish Gaelic football player who plays at centre forward. He is a former member of the for Kerry senior county team and plays his club football for Dr. Crokes. He is particularly renowned for his goal-scoring ability...
, Gaelic footballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er. - Seán Kelly, MEP, former President of the GAA and Chairman, Irish Institute of Sport
- Gillian O'SullivanGillian O'SullivanGillian O'Sullivan is an Irish race walker. She has held the world record in the 5000m walk since 2002 and won a silver medal at the world championship in 2003 over 20km. It was the first time since 1995 that an Irish athlete had won a World Championship medal...
, athlete, racewalker - former Olympian, world record holder and silver medallist at the World Athletics Championships 2003. - Tadhg LyneTadhg LyneTadhgie Lyne was an Irish Gaelic footballer with Kerry. Called 'the Prince of Forwards', Lyne was one of the finest scoring forwards of his time.-Early life:...
, three times All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winner with the Kerry GAAKerry GAAThe Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
Gaelic football team. - Jessie BuckleyJessie BuckleyJessie Buckley is an Irish singer and actress who came second place in the BBC talent show-themed television series I'd Do Anything, and subsequently played Anne Egermann in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music.-Background:The eldest of five children, Buckley comes from...
, singer, actress and finalist in the I'd Do AnythingI'd Do Anything (BBC TV series)I'd Do Anything is a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom and broadcast on BBC One. It premièred on 15 March 2008...
BBC series. - Eileen SheehanEileen SheehanEileen Sheehan, is an Irish poet based in Killarney Ireland.She was born in the nearby town of Scartaglin in 1963.Her work has been published in several journals and anthologies, including The Stinging Fly, The Kerry Anthology, Breacadh, and she was featured in I Am Of Kerry.She has won both the...
, Poet
Twin towns — Sister cities
Killarney is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
| Country | Place | County / district / region / state | Date | |||
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| Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... ! style="background: #FFFFCF; col>r: #000000" ! | |
Castiglione di Sicilia Castiglione di Sicilia Castiglione di Sicilia is a comune in the Province of Catania in Sicily.-Geography:... ! style=">ackground: #FFFFEF; color: #000000" ! | |
Province of Catania Province of Catania Catania is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Catania.It has an area of 3,552 km², and a total population of 1,073,881 . There are 58 comunes in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Catania... |
1986 | |||
| U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... ! style="background:>#FFFFCF; color: #000000" ! | |
Concord Concord, North Carolina Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area... > style="background: #FFFFEF; color: #000000" ! |  |
North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
1993 | |||
| U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... ! style="background:>#FFFFCF; color: #000000" ! |  |
Springfield Springfield, Illinois Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area... > ! style="background: #FFFFEF; color: #000000" ! |  |
Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... |
1997 | |||
| U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... ! style="background:>#FFFFCF; color: #000000" ! | |
Cooper City Cooper City, Florida Cooper City is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city is named for Morris Cooper, who founded the community in 1959. The city's population was 28,547 at the 2010 census... >! style="background: #FFFFEF; color: #000000" ! |  |
Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
2003 | |||
| U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... ! style="background:>#FFFFCF; color: #000000" ! | |
Myrtle Bea>h Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the... ! style="background: #FFFFEF; color: #000000" ! |  |
South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence... |
2007 | |||
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... ! style="background: #FF>FCF; color: #000000" ! | |
Kendal Kendal Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England... ! style="background: #FFF>EF; color: #000000" ! | |
Cumbria Cumbria Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in... |
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| Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... ! style="background: #FFFFCF; c>lor: #000000" ! |  |
Pleinfeld Pleinfeld Pleinfeld is a municipality in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district, in Bavaria, Germany.Pleinfeld it's the biggest town at the Lake Brombach. The Twin Town is Killarney in Ireland. The village lies on the Great Brombachsee, besides Gunzenhausen the main tourist destination in the Franconian Lake... ! style="background: #>FFFEF; color: #000000" ! |  |
Bavaria Bavaria Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany... |
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- Ring of KerryRing of KerryThe Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. The route covers the 179 km circular road , starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin...
- County KerryCounty KerryKerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
- Killarney National ParkKillarney National ParkKillarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932...
- St. Brendan's, KillarneySt. Brendan's, KillarneySt. Brendan's, Killarney, known locally as The Sem, is a secondary school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.-History:St. Brendan’s is a Catholic Diocesan College, founded in 1860 by Bishop David Moriarty as a boarding and day-school for boys under the name of ‘ St. Brendan’s Seminary’. The first...
- AghadoeAghadoeAghadoe is a large townland overlooking the town and lakes of Killarney in Ireland. Officially it is also a parish, although the parish is larger than the area normally associated with the name. The area is famous for its views of the lakes and islands, including Innisfallen Island...