The next day we were up and at it, while the sleepy town slept in after a weekend of festivities. It amazed me how trashed the town would get at the end of each festival day and the contrast to the clean streets we would wake up to every morning. It struck me how much pride the Irish have in their communities and how dedicated they were to their particular piece of the town/sidewalk.

After a quick breakfast we were back on the road. This time with castle dreams in our heads. At Killarney we stopped to tour Ross Castle, which is a tower house. It didn’t disappoint my childhood fairy tale dreams of castle life. The grounds that surround the castle are straight out of a dream or the pages of a storybook. The castle itself is on the edge of a lake that is backed by lush green hills and full of white swans and ducks swimming lazily. We got to glimpse of life back when the castle was in use, which we learned was only in times of conflict. This was no manor house full of balls and grand parties. Instead these houses were used when the clan was threatened and needed a fortified place to find safety. Far from the Cinderella castle with balls and parties! If you find yourself driving through Killarney stop in Killarney National park and tour Ross Castle and enjoy the beauty the park has to offer.

Ross Castle




Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney

Happy Trails,

The Smuckers

Jamie’s Travel Tips:

-Castles are everywhere. We chose to take a tour through Ross Castle in Killarney National Park. We highly recommend the 40 minute tour. It only cost 4 euros per person compared to 12 euros at the popular Blarney Castle.