In the southwest of warlike and freedom-loving Ireland, there is a National Park with a large number of lakes created by nature itself. The melting of glaciers from the mountain peaks has created a huge park with a length of 10,000 square meters. km. The park included a myriad of rare forests, garden plantings, and in due time I can be recognized as a monument under the protection of the world organization UNESCO.
Interesting facts about Ireland in our article.
The famous lakes of Killarney Park
Killarney Park is replete with a variety of wildlife, where you can always meet deer, badgers, martens and squirrels. As mentioned above, the main attraction of this incredibly beautiful park are the lakes created by nature itself. The inhabitants of the nearby settlement gave them the name – Lough Lane, Macross Middle and Upper.
One of the greatest reservoirs surrounded by the mountain slopes of Tork, Carantwill and Mangerton is Lough Lane. Plantations of coniferous and relict forests stretch along this lake, which have an ancient history of occurrence. One of the main attractions of Killarney National Park is Ross Castle.
History of the castle
The castle-fortress is a representative landmark of the 15th century building. It was built by the leader of the Kerry clan O'Donoghues Mor (Ross). However, the castle did not serve the family for long, because after some time it was given to the use of Valentine Browne. The fortress constantly changed hands.
Since during the bloody struggle with the British, led by Oliver Cromwell, the castle managed to survive and be an impregnable fortress, it was transferred to the use of the family of Valentine Brown. However, this fact that the castle was at the disposal of the Brian family did not last long, since in the 17th century it passed into the possession of soldiers and was used as their temporary residence.
The castle had barracks and various auxiliary rooms for storing weapons and cooking. The fortress had a difficult historically important fate, in connection with this, the Irish began to consider the castle a symbol of the struggle and independence of the freedom-loving people of Ireland. Based on the fact that the building was attacked by the British so many times, and more than once the castle saved the lives of the Irish, there are many beliefs and legends around it.
One of them can tell us about the mysterious history of the capture of the fortress. Among themselves, the Irish said that this structure could be captured only after the silhouette of a warship appeared on the horizon of the lake. This belief or prediction, as many called it, had a significant historical role, since at one point in the 17th century a large ship appeared on the Laune River, stuffed to the brim with heavy artillery, and this, in turn, led to the capture of the fortress.
Castle outside and inside
Ross Castle is a characteristic medieval building, which includes powerful, strong and massive walls. Around the perimeter of the entire castle, rounded observation towers were built, and in the center of the entire fortress there is a tower that covers a wide horizon of the park around the building. The construction characterizes the spirit of the time, when the Irish leaders built their own palaces to live and protect their kind.
Inside, the castle is still equipped with heavy and massive furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries. As echoes of past Irish battles, the castle is equipped with a large number of armory rooms and specific places that today attract a huge number of tourists. Speaking of the castle, it is worth considering its structure and the location of the rooms, which are also filled with all sorts of legends.
From time immemorial, the lower premises of the castle were used as storage rooms, in which ammunition and food stores were carefully guarded. Gradually moving to the second floor, visitors to the castle will observe unfavorable living conditions for the guards and staff. Narrow rooms, straw-covered floors – all this suggests that there was no furniture or any conditions on this floor. This was followed by rooms for cooking and dining rooms for staff. The fourth floor included bedchambers for the owners of the castle, they, of course, were more favorably equipped, but they were also not characterized by saturation of the furniture.
Practicality and massiveness are the main aspects of choosing a furniture set of that time. Reaching the fifth floor, one can see the beauty and originality typical of the 15th century building. The hall, as the main entertainment room for the owners and guests of the castle, was not only spacious and solid, but also very well thought out. The floor in this room was stone, which, in turn, guaranteed the safety of residents and guests in case of fire.
If there was a need to escape from the castle, then this floor was also an emergency exit, which was used during an escape or emergency evacuation. The whole castle is connected by one huge serpentine staircase, which connects all 5 floors and towers with each other. Being in this place, you can feel a draft or a breeze between the opening doors, because, as you know, all the castles of that time keep the secrets of medieval dramas or they can inform about the secrets of the family.
Legends of the ancient castle of Ross
Ross Castle is located in a very picturesque place, and the park located along the perimeter of the fortress impresses with its beauty and uniqueness. The Irish are a very warlike and freedom-loving people who have fought for their sovereignty and independence of thought for many centuries. Each fortress has its own legend and secret, which the residents of nearby villages honor and tell their grandchildren. So, for example, Ross Castle has a legend telling about the mysterious disappearance of Earl O'Donahue from the castle's fortress from its highest point.
As the story goes, an unknown force pulled a clan representative with all his furniture and his beloved horse right out of the window. He flew on horseback for a certain distance, and then disappeared into the depths of Loch Lane. To this day, he watches and controls everything that happens around his fortress, as if waiting for his power to be needed again.
We will not be able to observe all the luxury and prosperity of the earl's bedchamber under the waters of the lake, but the Irish believe that the great warrior does not sleep, but guards the peace and peace of his settlers. The territory of the fortress also has a very interesting landscape, on the one hand, warlike, and on the other, full of beauty and originality of natural wealth. When visiting this corner of history, it is worth stocking up on warm clothes and the mood to learn history. Feeling the icy chill, walking around the castle – this is what will allow you to get closer and feel a piece of antiquity.
Another interesting place in Ireland is Giant's Path.