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Commonly known as "The Kingdom", Kerry is located in the South West of Ireland in the province of Munster. The fifth largest of Ireland`s 32 counties, it is host to Ireland's top tourist destination of Killarney Town. Killarney, situated on the Ring of Kerry, is located approximately 50 miles west of Cork and 70 miles south west of Limerick, the Republic? second and third largest towns respectively.
The town is renowned for its spectacular scenery, national parks, championship golf courses and spectacular mountain ranges, giving it a high international profile.
Killarney is accessible from three airports, Cork (53 miles), Shannon (81 miles) and Kerry (10 miles).
Set on three of Ireland's most beautiful lakes, against a backdrop of the Macgillycuddy Reeks, Killarney offers locals and visitors alike world- renowned scenery, with lakeland serenity, nearby coastal beauty, Carrauntoohil, the Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House, Ross Castle and 10,000 acres of Killarney National Park, home to thousands of Red and Sika deer. The town is also ideally situated as a base from which to explore Dingle, the Ring of Kerry, Kinsale and West Cork.
Killarney is a thriving commercial centre which is attracting more and more investment and large retail stores each year. In addition to its urban population of circa ten thousand residents, Killarney presently plays host to more than 3.5 million visitors each year and, with c. 40 listed hotels, over 35 guesthouses and many more B&B's, offers accommodation to more than 20,000 guests each night. The town has a fantastic selection of shops and draws shoppers from all over Kerry and Cork. The Killarney Outlet Centre, host to Nike, Blarney Woolen Mills, Ponden Mills, Paco and Meadows and Byrnes, attracts c.50,000 visitors each week and has further consolidated the popularity of Killarney as a commercial centre.
In 2002, the combined overseas and domestic tourist revenue of Killarney was in the region of €850 million. It is envisaged that tourist visitors to Killarney are to double from 3 million in 2003 to at least 6 million in 2010, with an incremental increase of c.20% each year. Flights and visitors from the US and UK are expected to double over next five years, with a 20% increase each year.
As a local writer, Paddy Mac Monagle, says of this wonderful place to live, Killarney is a lovely place, you cannot make it more lovely by coming to it, but your coming will increase its love within you! |
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