Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is located in the southwestern part of Ireland near Lough Leane, which is the largest of three lakes in the area.  The national park encompasses an area of 39.73 square miles (102.89 sq km) and was the first national park for the country of Ireland.

The protected area supports oak and yew woodlands, mountain peaks, and of course the Killarney Lakes. The forested area represents the significant remaining forested area on the island nation.  The significance earned it the recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Lough Leane is the largest lake with the majority of it residing in the national park boundaries.  There are over 30 islands scattered across the lake and boating out to some of the larger islands is a common tourist activity.  Lough Leane covers an area of 7.3 square miles (19 sq km).

Muckross Lake is the deepest of the three lakes reaching a depth of 241 feet (73.5 m). The base of the Torc mountain approaches the shoreline of the lake.  The three lakes are connected and together account for about one-fourth of the park’s overall area.

The aesthetic landscape of the park provides visitors with an array of natural features that include bogs, cliffs, crags, heath, lakes, moorland, mountains, rivers, rock formations, and woodland areas.  The highest point in the purple mountains is 2,762 feet (842 m).

Wildlife is prevalent and varied within the park featuring the only herd of red deer on the island with sika deer also being present.  There are approximately 114 species of birds creating a special place for birdwatchers.