Today we took a guided bus tour around the famous Ring of Kerry, then spent the afternoon walking through the town of Killarney to explore its sights and unwind.

Ring of Kerry Tour & Killarney

The Ring of Kerry bus tour was a breathtaking journey through some of Ireland’s most iconic landscapes. We saw dramatic coastlines, winding mountain roads, peaceful lakes, and charming villages along the way. Our guide filled the trip with local stories and history, pointing out everything from ancient stone forts to the a village who had a goat as king. We stopped often to take in panoramic views, and snap photos.

After the tour, we spent time walking around the town of Killarney. The lively streets were full of shops, restaurants, and traditional pubs, but we also found quieter corners to enjoy. We strolled through the peaceful town park and visited the impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral, whose Gothic architecture stood out beautifully against the greenery. The relaxed pace of the evening gave us time to reflect on the day’s sights and enjoy the charm of Killarney before heading back to rest for the night.

The Killarney region and the Ring of Kerry are steeped in ancient myths, folklore, and haunting legends that echo through the mountains, lakes, and valleys. From fairy-haunted woodlands and ghostly monks to enchanted islands and magical boars, this part of Ireland weaves its history into every stone and stream. In the captions below, you’ll find glimpses of these tales — not just sights we visited, but stories passed down through generations. As you explore each image, let the legends of Oisín, the Old Hag of the Black Valley, and even King Puck the Goat enrich your journey through Ireland’s mystical southwest.
The story of Puck the Goat — known affectionately as King Puck
This is one of Ireland's most charming and enduring folk traditions
Centered in the town of Killorglin, County Kerry.
According to local legend, during the 17th century, when Oliver Cromwell’s army was sweeping through Ireland
They reached the mountains near Killorglin.
As the story goes, a wild goat — startled by the advancing soldiers.
The goat ran down from the hills into the town, bleating and causing a commotion.
The townspeople recognized the goat’s unusual behavior as a warning, giving them just enough time to flee or prepare for the coming attack.
In gratitude for the goat’s timely warning, the people of Killorglin began to honor the animal each year with a celebration.
Over time, this evolved into the Puck Fair — one of Ireland's oldest and most unusual festivals, dating back over 400 years.
Each August, a male goat (a "puck") is captured from the mountains and brought into Killorglin.
With much ceremony, he is crowned "King Puck" and placed on a high stand in the center of town, overlooking the festivities.
The goat presides as the symbolic monarch of the town for three days — a time of music, dancing, markets, and celebration.
A local young girl, known as the "Queen of Puck," traditionally crowns the goat.
After the festival, the goat is safely returned to the wild.
Though the story is rooted in folklore, some historians suggest the Puck Fair may have pre-Christian or pagan origins.
Tied to fertility rituals or harvest festivals where animals played symbolic roles.
The crowning of the puck could symbolize the wild spirit of nature being temporarily honored by human society.
Today, the Puck Fair is a beloved local and tourist event, blending old traditions with modern fun.
And through it all, Puck the Goat remains a quirky but enduring "king for a day."
Next is the story of the Fairies of the Lakes.
The Lakes of Killarney — Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake — are not only stunning natural features.
But also believed to be mystical places tied to Ireland’s fairy folklore.
These lakes are said to be home to the Aos Sí, the "People of the Mounds,"
Ancient supernatural beings often equated with fairies or remnants of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the old gods of Ireland.
The woods and islands that surround the lakes are rich with fairy lore.
In old times, locals warned never to disturb fairy rings or enter hawthorn groves.
Which were believed to be portals to the Otherworld.
Travelers and children were told stories of fairy lights seen dancing across the water and of strange music luring people away, never to return.
Offerings like milk or bits of bread were left along the shore to keep the fairies appeased.
It was believed that to disrespect the fairies would invite illness, misfortune, or madness.
Then we have the story of Tork Mountain and the Magic Boar
Torc Mountain, just south of Killarney town.
The mountain gets its name from the Irish word torc, meaning “wild boar.”
According to legend, the mountain was once home to a man cursed to transform into a boar each night.
He lived in secret in a cave at the base of the mountain, now known as the Devil’s Punchbowl.
The curse was so powerful that it could not be lifted by prayer or penance.
One day, a local chieftain discovered the man’s secret.
As the boar fled up the mountain, a great storm struck. A bolt of lightning struck the beast, killing him instantly.
At that very moment, Torc Waterfall burst from the earth, cascading down the mountainside ever since.
To this day, some claim to hear strange sounds near the waterfall during storms.
Echoes of the tormented boar spirit still roaming the hills.
Next we have The Old Hag of the Black Valley.
The Black Valley, or Cummeenduff, is one of the most remote and mysterious areas in Ireland.
It was the last place on the mainland to receive electricity in the 1970s.
It's a brooding, mist-filled landscape nestled between mountains.
The perfect backdrop for one of Kerry’s darker legends.
Folklore tells of an old hag, or sometimes a bean sídhe (banshee)
The hag lived deep in the valley.
She is said to appear before deaths or misfortunes, her silhouette barely visible in the mist.
At times, she knocks on windows or wails in the wind.
According to one tale, a young couple ignored warnings and camped in the valley.
Only one returned, muttering about glowing eyes and voices in the dark.
Some believe the hag is a guardian spirit, while others say she is a remnant of an older, darker power that once ruled the valley.
Locals still leave bread or coins on stones near the path to honor her and ensure safe passage.
Another story of the area is the Legend of Inisfallen Island.
Inisfallen is a small, wooded island on Lough Leane, visible from Ross Castle.
It was once home to a monastic settlement founded in the 7th century and became a renowned center of learning during the early medieval period.
The famous Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of Irish history, were written here.
Legend holds that the island was protected by enchantments, making it invisible to invaders.
Some tales say the island moves, shrouded in mist, and can only be found by those who are pure of heart or fated to see it.
Other stories speak of a golden book hidden beneath the soil, inscribed with sacred knowledge.
And some say Inisfallen is a fragment of Tír na nÓg, the Land of Eternal Youth, that was anchored to our world to preserve its magic.
Another myth in the area is the Muckross Abbey’s Ghostly Monk.
Muckross Abbey, founded in 1448, stands in haunting ruins within Killarney National Park.
Though its roof is gone, its stone walls and ancient central yew tree still stand.
It was once a Franciscan friary and is the burial site of local poets and chieftains.
But legend says the abbey is also the home of a ghostly monk who wanders the cloisters after dark.
He is described as silent, hooded, and seemingly unaware of the living.
Some believe he is the spirit of a friar who remained behind after the monastery was dissolved and never left.
Others say he was buried with a sacred relic, and now guards it in death.
Visitors have reported cold spots, soft chanting, and footsteps echoing with no source.
Local lore holds that if you see the monk and show no fear, your journey will be blessed.
One of the most beloved tales in Irish mythology, the story of Oisín and Tír na nÓg is deeply tied to the Killarney area.
Oisín, a member of the legendary Fianna warriors, was hunting near Lough Leane when he met Niamh of the Golden Hair, a mysterious woman on a white horse.
She told him she had come from Tír na nÓg, the Land of Youth, where there was no sorrow or death.
Oisín agreed to ride with her across the sea, and they lived happily for what seemed like a few years.
But Oisín began to miss Ireland and wished to return.
Niamh gave him her horse, warning him not to touch the ground, or time would catch up with him.
When he returned to Ireland, centuries had passed.
His friends were gone, and the land was unfamiliar.
In an act of kindness, he dismounted to help some men lift a stone — and instantly aged hundreds of years.
The tale is a poignant reminder of time, change, and the loss of innocence, and it still echoes in the lakes and forests of Killarney.
Killarney’s history dates back thousands of years, with evidence of Bronze Age activity in the surrounding lakes and mountains.
Including ancient copper mining on Ross Island, one of Europe’s oldest known copper production sites.
The town’s formal historical roots began in the 7th century with the founding of a monastery on Inisfallen Island in Lough Leane.
This monastery became a respected center of learning, and the Annals of Inisfallen — a chronicle of early Irish history — were written there.
Monks from Inisfallen were among the early Christian missionaries who spread literacy and religion throughout Ireland and beyond.
By the medieval period, Killarney and its surroundings were under the control of powerful Gaelic families like the O'Donoghues, who were lords of Lough Leane.
Many legends — especially those involving ghostly boats and lake spirits — stem from this time, mixing history and folklore.
In the 15th century, the Franciscan Muckross Abbey was founded nearby.
It served as a religious and cultural center and became the burial place for local chieftains and poets.
Killarney’s reputation as a scenic destination began to grow in the mid-1700s.
Thanks in part to Thomas Browne, the Earl of Kenmare, who promoted tourism and developed the area.
He built roads, inns, and encouraged noble and wealthy visitors to take "grand tours" of the lakes and mountains.
By the 19th century, Killarney was a well-known stop on Victorian travel routes.
The arrival of the railway in 1853 dramatically increased accessibility, transforming the town into a tourism hub.
Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861 further cemented Killarney's status as a fashionable destination.
In 1932, the Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state, eventually forming the core of Killarney National Park — Ireland’s first national park.
The park helped preserve the area’s woodlands, lakes, and mountains, as well as rare species like the native red deer.
Killarney became a symbol of Irish heritage and nature, with strong cultural preservation efforts tied to language, music, and folklore.
Today, Killarney is one of Ireland’s most visited towns, beloved for its access to the Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe, and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.
Despite its popularity, Killarney continues to feel like a gateway into Ireland’s ancient, enchanted past - where history, myth, and natural beauty live side by side.
St. Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney is a striking 19th-century Gothic Revival church designed by renowned English architect Augustus Pugin.
Construction began in 1842 but was delayed during the Great Famine, eventually completing in stages by the early 20th century.
The cathedral’s tall spire, lancet windows, and stone arches reflect medieval influences, while its peaceful interior invites quiet reflection.
Set against the backdrop of the mountains, it remains a symbol of both spiritual endurance and architectural grace in Killarney.
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