Killarney national park

Going to Killarney National Park.

Along the roads we have seen lot of tunnels made by trees...

And lot of trees strangely shaped, twisted and leaning,

sculpted by the force of the prevailing winds. 

We learned that they are sometimes called “flag trees”, 

because their silhouette looks like 

a flag blown in a single direction.

They seem “combed” in one direction, 

with all branches pointing away from the winds.

These trees have become an iconic image of Irish resilience,

 much like the dry stone walls that withstand the storms.

Often hawthorn, beech, Monterey cypress or maritime pine, 

which struggle against the wind and end up being sculpted by it.

Some old twisted hawthorns are also linked to Celtic traditions 

and fairy folklore (the “fairy trees”), which are still respected today.

We went to the Torc waterfalls:

it drops about 20 meters from the slopes of Torc Mountain, 

surrounded by lush oak woods and moss-covered rocks.

We were lucky it was early because when we passed by

in the afternoon it was full of tourists!

Then we walked along the Muckross lake

Can you see the little stones bridge?

Here is the Old weir Bridge !

The point where the Muckross Lake meet

the Upperlake and the Leane Lough.

                                    This bridge was built in the XVI Century.

The landscape is so beautiful:

lakes, mountains, clouds, stones, trees..

Colors are incredible.

And then we reached the Ladies view !!!

The main mountains we can see

all around are:

MacGillycuddy's Reeks (North West)

Purple Mountain (East)

Torc Mountains

Mangerton Mountain (south east)

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We could see the 3 lakes and the rivers 

going to each other

Ladies View is named after 

Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, 

who admired this viewpoint 

during a visit to Ireland in the 19th century.

Shadows of the clouds on mountains were stunning.

Peacegull your mind

and breathe deeply...

Then we reached the Upper lake:

    

                                                                    We found a kind seal...

                                        

Amané loves Ireland

                                        

                                                                            It was so peacefull that

                                                                            Yuta fall asleep there !!

                                             

                                                                                Then a little step

                                                            in the park of the Muckross House

                                                which was built in the XX, in victorian style.

                                                            King George came and slept there.

                                                    

Now it's like an "amusement park"

where families come and enjoy time on week-ends.

After letting our stuff 

to the bed and breakfast 

we reached the pub in a little village 

in order to eat irish stew.

We were in County Kerry:

all the flags were green and gold

and lot of panels said

Go Kerry !!!