Lakes of Killarney, << kih LAHR nee, >> are three famous lakes of great beauty in County Kerry, in southwestern Ireland. They are one of Ireland’s main tourist areas. The Lakes of Killarney lie southwest of the town of Killarney. Lough Leane, or Lower Lake, covers nearly 8 square miles (20 square kilometers). Muckross Lake, or Middle Lake, covers about 1 square mile (2.7 square kilometers). Upper Lake is about two-thirds that size. Upper Lake lies in a valley in sandstone mountains. The two lower lakes lie at the foot of the mountains. The lakes are joined by a lovely river, the Long Range. They drain through the River Laune into Dingle Bay.
Much of the lakes and surrounding mountains and woodlands form Killarney National Park. The center of the park is at Muckross House and Gardens, on a peninsula that separates the lower lakes. Nearby are the ruins of Muckross Abbey, which was built in the 1400’s.
