We hop in our car to head to our next stop - Killarney. It doesn't look that far on a map. About 3 inches. We're no longer traveling on the motorway but on narrow, winding roads that at some points have me holding my breath as we round curves and praying no one is coming from the opposite direction.
We finally make it to our destination The Killarney Park Hotel, by far the grandest place we've stayed the entire trip. We're greeted by name by the doorman and warmly welcomed by the hotel staff. This is my kinda place! The hotel is cozy and inviting with all its fireplaces and the grand staircase leading to the second floor.
We've got no time to sit around admiring the place and head straight to the Killarney National Park to hike. This beautiful park contains some of Ireland's highest mountains as well as the beautiful lakes of Killarney. As we begin our exploration, we notice the ruins of the Muckross Abbey which can be traced back to the beginnings of Christianity in Ireland.
We then hike alongside one of the lakes.
We end up at the Muckross House, a mansion designed by British architect William Burn which was eventually presented along with the acreage surrounding it to the Irish nation and became the basis of the national park.
After exploring Muckross, we head off to locate Torc Waterfall at the base of Torc Mountain. As we approach the falls, I can't help but feel like I am in a lush, verdant cathedral. The beauty of this place is breathtaking.
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