KILLARNEY AND DROMBEG CIRCLE

Today’s stories and travels take us from County Kerry in the West of Ireland to the Southern Coast of County Cork Killarney, Muckross Friary Innisfallen

Drombeg Stone Circle

In the heart of County Kerry— Killarney

Town of Killarney is a tourist town, but still very welcoming and quaint…

Killarney, like most of west Ireland is wild and rugged and green. The deep blue lakes reflect jagged mountains bulging up under restless skies. Part of this area, the Black Valley, was the last place in Ireland to get electricity and phone service in 1978.

First stop Torc Waterfall Its name is Irish for boar, related to the legend of a magical boar killed by the mythical Irish hero Finn McCool

But let’s hear how the waterfall first came to be…

65 - room Victorian mansion house built 1843

WALK OR RIDE TO MUCKROSS FRIARY

THE GUARDIAN OF THE ABBEY GATE

MUCKROSS FRIARY originally the Franciscan friary of Irrelagh Built 1488 but beneath it ruins of 6th century monastery

Massive yew tree (about 5 feet diameter) in middle of cloister Yew tree is considered a “tree of life” because it out lives so many generations and is linked to immortality of the soul

LOUGH LEANE (means Lake of Learning) 30 islands in the lake

Ross Castle 14th century castle which was stronghold of O’Donoghue clan until it fell in 1652 to Oliver Cromwell

Magillycuddy Reeks highest mountain range in Ireland in background

Boat Dock at Ross Castle where we will take a boat to Inisfallen Island

Which of these will take us

Arial view of the island of Innisfallen

In the Celtic tradition the female, The Hind, called Eilid in Irish, symbolizes femininity, subtlety and gracefulness

Yew Tree Symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, and magic

Inisfallen was attacked many times by Vikings and others. Monk Maelsuthain O’Carroll was one of its students. He was one of Ireland’s most famous healers and friend of the High King Brian Boru (crowned 1002 & ruled from Cashel). . Brian Boru restored libraries, schools, churches and monasteries that were damaged or destroyed by Vikings.

Buildings 11th & 13th century

August 18, 1594 Elizabeth I evicted monks from the abbey and gave land to Lord Kenmare Late 1700’s the island had evolved into a popular location for frivolous partying by guests of the Earl of Kenmare, who transformed some of the ruined buildings into an elaborate dining hall. In the 19th Century, it became a favored destination for romantic poets, inspiring Thomas Moore to compose "Sweet Innisfallen".

Annals of Inisfallen were written here about 1092, originated by Maelsuthain and added to by others. Annals are Irish history from 433 to 1450 CE

12th century Romanesque oratory with ornate west doorway carved with animal heads

Ireland’s Past & Present The same location—but these pictures are from last week’s Summer Solstice Ceremony on the island of Innisfallen.

The Faery Deer or Red Deer

In Irish lore, the deer represents the Cailleach

And we say good bye to Killarney