The Lakes of Killarney are a scenic attraction located in Killarney National Park near Killarney, County Kerry, in Ireland. They consist of three lakes: Lough Leane, Muckross Lake (also called Middle Lake) and Upper Lake.

Surroundings

The lakes sit in a low valley some above sea level.

Lough Leane

thumb|Lough Leane|alt=

Lough Leane () is the largest and northernmost of the three lakes, approximately in size. It is also the largest body of fresh water in the region. The River Laune drains Lough Leane to the north-west towards Killorglin and into Dingle Bay.

Leane is dotted with small forested islands, including Innisfallen, which holds the remains of the ruined Innisfallen Abbey. Ross Castle, a 15th-century keep, sits on the eastern shore of the lake, north of the Ross Island peninsula.

Muckross Lake

thumb|Muckross Lake viewed from Brickeen Bridge|alt=

Also known as Middle Lake or Torc Lake, Muckross is just south of Lough Leane. The two are separated by a small peninsula, crossed by a stone arched bridge called Brickeen Bridge. A paved hiking trail of approximately circles the lake. and in a further Landon poem, , which accompanies a picture by Joseph John Jenkins. This Kate Kearney should not be confused with the lady who provided refreshment at what is now Kate Kearney's Cottage at the Gap of Dunloe.

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File:Ross Castle across the Lakes of Killarney.JPG|Ross Castle visible across Lough Leane

File:Killarney lake.jpg|Brickeen Bridge, where Lough Leane and Muckross Lake meet

File:Lakes of Killarney.JPG|The lakes as viewed from Ladies View

File:DV405 no.243 Map of the Lakes of Killarney.png|Hand-drawn map of the Lakes by French artist Alphonse Dousseau, between 1830 and 1869

File:"Lake surrounded by mountains in an unknown location" (is lakes of Killarney) (26040083492).jpg|Photograph of Upper Lake published by Fergus O'Connor circa 1920 with commotion in bottom right

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See also

  • List of loughs of Ireland

References

  • Killarney National Park
  • National Library of Ireland archives for the lakes
  • Ross Island