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Top ten facts about Killarney - Ireland’s foremost beauty spot

An idyllic tourist spot, the picturesque town in County Kerry

HILDA HIGGINS,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Thursday, September 1, 2011, 6:57 AM

Updated Thursday, September 1, 2011, 6:57 AM

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Jaunting car in Killarney National Park

Photo by Google Images

Killarney is one of Ireland’s most beautiful heritage and tourist spots, famed in song and story.

Here are ten fact about the place described as ‘Heaven’s reflex’ by local poets.

1. Killarney means 'Church of the Blackthorn’ and nobody is quite sure why.

2. Immaculately kept It was voted Ireland’s tidiest town in 2011.

3. It was first made popular by Queen Victoria who visited Killarney in 1861 staying at Muckross House.

The local newspaper described her stay at the Muckross mansion thus:

"An entire section of the mansion has been set apart for the royal family, so that all their apartments communicate without the necessity of passing into the corridors to be used by other occupants of the house. The Queen will live here in privacy, and from the windows of her rooms she can walk into delightful grounds, which will be kept private during her stay at Muckross. In her sitting room - which, like all the others, is a splendid apartment furnished richly and tastefully, there is a series of views of the Lakes of Killarney, painted by Mrs Herbert. They are works of the highest artistic excellence."

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4. Killarney is included in many popular songs , most famously ‘Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra’ which Bing Crosby sang in ‘Going My Way’ in 1944. ‘Christmas in Killarney’ is another perennial favorite from the music hall era.

5. With the exception of Dublin there are more hotel beds in Killarney than in any other town or city in Ireland.

6.Actor Micheal Fassbender is the most famous local resident. Though born in Germany he moved there as a young child with his parents who took up work there running a restaurant. He recently starred in the Tarentino hit ‘Inglourious Basterds’

7.There was a major dispute recently over jaunting car drivers refusing to have their horses wear diapers to stop dung on the streets.Eventually the jarveys gave in after a shitstorm of protest.

8.Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohill 3,400 feet is nearby ringing the majestic lakes of Killarney. Some say it would be even higher if it wasn’t set in a depression

9.Ireland’s greatest gaelic footballer, today is Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper a native of the town and captain of theKerry football team.

10. Ireland’s first talking film "The Dawn" , was filmed, scripted and acted in Killarney and based on a War of Independence story. They recently reshowed it on the 75th anniversary and had to turn hundreds away.

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cuculin | Oct 13, 2011, 02:13 PM EDT

Being from Killarney I am a little bias( OK A lot Bias ) but Killarney is no more expensive now than anywhere else in Ireland. In fact for my last trip back to this year’s Irish Open I found it extremely cheap and that’s even by Canadian standards. The smell of Horse poop adds to our charm and with the horses now wearing nappies that smell is all but gone. Some other famous Killarney residents are Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, CBE( "the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" ) and Bram Stoker, who also lived in Killarney and I actually spent some years growing up in the same house......some people think he wrote part of Dracula while there, who knows. Killarney is one of the greatest small towns in the world and if it’s a good time you’re looking for then look no further. As a very good friend of mine says. St Andrews may well be the home of Golf, but Killarney is where it goes on holidays! Ciarrai Abu!

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BARNEYKX | Sep 01, 2011, 04:40 PM EDT

ITS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES TO VISIT AS IS WICKLOW

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muirisobric | Sep 01, 2011, 02:25 PM EDT

Would rather thr smell of horseshit any day than diesel, oil, smoke,gas & assortments of other contaminants we know nothing about...the only time i ever have a problem with the blessed stuff is when it eminates from our eminent statesmen here and there

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Searlit | Sep 01, 2011, 01:47 PM EDT

I agree that Killarney is beautiful, though a little difficult getting around, driving. You're better off walking to the downtown area. I've stayed there a couple of times. The nightlife is fun. I haven't been to the Park, yet. On our first rip we got locked out of our car in Moll's Gap, but that's another story. As to the meaning of Killarney(Cill Airne, church of the sloe). The ancient Irish held the trees as sacred, that is why so many churches were built at the wells and trees, where the towns sprung up around them.

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cillowen | Sep 01, 2011, 12:26 PM EDT

the smell of the horse dung is the only drawback.

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beaumax99 | Sep 01, 2011, 10:12 AM EDT

I loved Killarney. Have to admit that although it is a commercial environment, it is one of the most quaint and beautiful cities that I've seen. I loved Ireland and hope to return for a very long visit upon my next journey. What is it that draws one back there? I've travelled extensively throughout Europe and find that only Ireland and Austria haunt me.

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DLW12183 | Sep 01, 2011, 09:37 AM EDT

One of my least favorite spots in Ireland. Too commercial for me.

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