Attractions and Places To See in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks - Top 20

This is a beautiful hike with great views, despite heavy road use mostly by tourist cars. If your physical condition allows, then hike this little stretch.

nice view of lake

Muckross House is a beautifully preserved 19th-century house set against the stunning backdrop of Muckross lake and the surrounding mountains. The house, now a museum, offers a glimpse into Ireland’s aristocratic past with its period rooms and impressive gardens.

Rising to 3,300 feet (1,000 m), Caher is Ireland's third highest peak, only topped by neighbouring Carrauntoohil and Beenkeragh. It's a high point on the classic Coomloughra Horseshoe, one of Ireland's most coveted mountain days. Its Irish name, Cathair na Féinne, means fortress of the Fianna, the mythical warriors and hunters of Irish legend.

We really enjoyed visiting Ross Castle in Killarney. This castle is particularly impressive from the outside and the surroundings with the beautiful lake are just totally romantic. I personally didn't find the interior that spectacular, but once you've had a look around the castle you'll be rewarded with a fantastic view at the top!

This hike takes you through a breathtaking gorge, which opens into the vast, tranquil landscape of the lake through the "gate." The narrow path winds between steep rock faces, offering you repeatedly impressive views of the clear water and the surrounding hills. You can literally feel nature setting the pace here – the calm waves of the lake, the green vegetation stretching over the rocks, and the recurring feeling of vastness. The path is narrow and a bit challenging in places, but that only makes the hike all the more exciting. I particularly liked the small bridges that repeatedly cross the route – perfect for pausing to admire the scenery. Andy's tip is a good one: There are numerous photo spots along the route that you shouldn't miss. One tip: Even though the route is quite popular, you can usually find a quiet corner to take in the scenery. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to fully enjoy the hike and escape the crowds. It's also worth exploring the route on foot or in one of the traditional horse-drawn carriages – this way you avoid the busy roads and experience the area more intensely. For me, the "Gate & Lake" route is a place of contrasts: from the narrow passage through the gate to the vast, tranquil lake landscape. It's a hike that's not only physically challenging but also offers repeated moments of peace and reflection. Perfect for connecting with the wild beauty of Ireland.

The ruins of the Franciscan monastery Although Cromwell's troops deliberately destroyed the Abbey, the remains of the monastery are still well preserved today. A church surrounds a wide, square tower with beautiful windows. In the inner courtyard there is a cloister with an arched arcade. The highlight of Muckross Abbey is in the middle of the inner courtyard, surrounded by the cloister: there is a remarkable yew tree that is said to be as old as the monastery itself. Outside Muckross Abbey there is a historic cemetery that is still occasionally used today. Countless clan leaders from the 17th and 18th centuries are buried here, including the chiefs of the O'Donoghue clan. And the remains of some important heroes of Irish literature also rest in peace in the cemetery. For example, the grave of the poet Aogán Ó Rathaille is located here. Visiting Muckross Abbey Visiting Muckross Abbey is free. To get to the old monastery, you have to take a short walk from the "Muckross Abbey" car park on the N71. It is also possible to rent bicycles in Killarney and explore the Franciscan monastery and the surrounding national park by bike. Or you can take a walk from the imposing Muckross House and go straight to the abbey through a large park. Visitors can visit all parts of the ruins. Narrow stairs lead up to the tower, from which you can enjoy a great view of Lough Leane. You can explore the grounds and walk through the historic cloister, through which the monks once walked. (Source: https://www.gruene-insel.de/blog/2020/die-muckross-abbey/)

Muckross Abbey: Mystical Ruins As early as 1340, monks built a monastery on the site where the remains of Muckross Abbey now stand. But soon after, they left their home in what is now Killarney National Park. Around 100 years later, in 1448, Dónal MacCarthy, the 12th Prince of Carbery, built a new Franciscan monastery on this site. It took almost half a century for the abbey on Lough Leane to be completed. Over the next few centuries, Muckross Abbey was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The Franciscans had to repair and restore the monastery countless times, which can be seen today in the many structural irregularities. But in the 17th century, the Irish monks suffered the same fate as so many people on the Emerald Isle: when Cromwell's troops under Lord Ludlow arrived in 1650, they were finally driven out of their homeland. The British troops burned down most of the old abbey, which is why large parts of the current ruins are roofless. (Source: https://www.gruene-insel.de/blog/2020/die-muckross-abbey/)