This was our hotel in Killarney. It was huge with a terrific view of the lake and a paved walking path around the grounds. It was absolutely wonderful. The food and service were fabulous. Everyone was so friendly and we even got to chat with one of the owners. It has been run by the Huggard family since 1940, and open as a hotel since 1820. The Huggards take a personal interest in running the hotels and in meeting with their guests. It was a grand experience! The hotel web site has some spectacular pictures of the hotel, the lake, and the wildlife that is there.
The view out the back of the hotel is Lough Lein and the mountains in the distance are part of Macgillycuddy's Reeks. This totally intrigued me because there is a song by that title in Warren Zevon's final album. I love that final album!!
As with just about everywhere in Ireland, there is a castle ruin on the hotel grounds! The Castle is McCarthy Mor Castle. It is thought to have been built in the 12th Century as part of the Norman Invasion by the Roche clan. Cormac McCarthy waged war in 1262 to take back lands from Norman Invaders in South Kerry. They killed Gerald Roche and took over Castlelough (The Castle on the Lake) and two other castles to rule South Kerry. Cormac was also killed and McCarthy Mor was the Chief of the McCarthy Clan. The castle changed hands many times, though for the most part staying connected to the McCarthy Clan. At one point a manor house was built near the castle and it was eventually turned into the hotel.
Oh and Colonel Klink was here!! Okay, maybe not... This is a Rolls Royce owned by a Swedish family that comes and stays at the hotel for extended periods of time.
These deer we saw as we were driving towards the Killarney Forest Preserve. We didn't mean to drive this way, but SOMEONE got lost! (No, it wasn't me...)
The top photo was from Steve's camera. Every time I tried to get a picture, the one deer was obliterated by raindrops!
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