I'm in Killarney now, a town of about 14.5k people on the shores of Lough Leane, one of a series of interconnected lakes in the area. It's been an important town in Irish history since ancient times and an important abbey, called Innisfallen, was founded on an island in the lake. In the 11th century, the abbey there compiled a chronicle of the history of Ireland that is considered one of the main historical sources for events in Munster.
Today, I spent the bulk of my daytime hours on foot exploring Killarney National Park and the huge castle Demesne of Ross Castle. Did about 17k steps today according to my watch. A bike or taking one of the area's many pony carts is probably a good idea if you're wanting to hit as many of the highlights of the area in a short time.
For me, I just wanted a nice stroll and am trying to avoid transportation expenses where possible, so hoofed it, rather than renting someone else's.
Ross Castle was originally built in the 15th century by the O'Donoghue clan chiefs as a tower house surrounded by a bawn with round towers at the four corners. They lost it due to their siding with the Earl of Desmond in his rebellion against Queen Elizabeth in the 1580's, after which it subsequently was seized and handed over to the McCarthys.
It was among the last strongholds in Ireland holding out against Cromwell's troops during the Cromwellian conquest. Donough MacCarty didn't surrender the castle until 1652. The MacCartys were dispossessed of their castles and lands for a while, but had them restored by Charles II. Ross Castle actually belonged to his nephew, Valentine Browne, who had been a minor ward at the time of the Cromwellian conquest, so it was ultimately the Browne's who got the castle back.
Extensive barracks facilities were later built at the castle and the castle itself eventually became an unroofed ruin, interestingly enough, for tax reasons. The castle and extensive grounds were eventually donated by degrees to the state in the 1900's and the castle underwent a rather dramatic full restoration which saw it open to the public in the 1990's.
Much of the parapet and roof is speculative and based on the few more intact examples found elsewhere in Ireland. The interior and many windows were also rebuilt and furnished, probably to a much high standard than the castle ever saw in it's heyday.
The castle contains several recreated vaulted ceilings of an interesting type, which used a technique of using woven material to create the initial vault to support the eventual stone vault. Afterwards, the woven layer was left in place. More commonly removed for a smooth appearance in English castles and structures. Neat to see. I took a tour with only two other people. There are many benefits to traveling outside of tourist season. Unfortunately, pictures not allowed inside the tower.
But, they do have a diorama in their free exhibit in the barrack building which gives you an idea of how the vaults were constructed. There are also some reconstruction drawings showing how the castle looked at different times in it's long history.
There's nothing to keep you from photographing the exterior, however, and Ross is a real photographic gem. Still looking good at ~600 years old.
Some other angles, neat details.
-The surviving round towers & section of bawn wall include a very narrow wall walk. Wouldn't have wanted to stand a watch on a rainy night!
-The machicolations which are at opposing corners of the battlements are somewhat reconstructed, but do appear in old photographs of the castle.
-There is an armored hatch up on the battlements which could be quickly opened to allow the firing of crossbows, early guns, etc without needing to lean out over the edge.
-intramural poop chute for the garderobe, so no unsightly mess marring the appearance of your lime-washed exterior.
-The front door to the tower probably had a yett which could be drawn closed without opening the oak main door. Chains are long gone, but the holes they would have been drawn through remain. Near unique feature.
I enjoyed exploring the castle's very large Demense. It has several nice walking paths which take you past some of the more modern residences used after the castle was no long the pinnacle of lordly living.
There are formal gardens/parks, as well as areas left as more of a wilderness. There's a nice walk along a river as well as through several area inhabited by at least two species of deer. I lugged my long Nikon lens along, so got some decent shots.
