Ross Castle

Ross Castle perches in an inlet of Lough Leane. It is likely that the Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór built it in the fifteenth century. Admission fee: Adult: €5.00 Legend has it that O’Donoghue still slumbers under the waters of the lake. Every seven years, on the first morning of May, he rises on his magnificent white horse. If you manage to catch a glimpse of him you will enjoy good fortune for the rest of your life.Ross Castle was the last place in Munster to hold out against Cromwell. Its defenders, then led by Lord Muskerry, took confidence from a prophecy holding that the castle could only be taken by a ship. Knowing of the prophecy, the Cromwellian commander, General Ludlow, launched a large boat on the lake. When the defenders saw it, this hastened the surrender – and the prophecy was fulfilled.

Muckross Abbey

The Muckross Abbey was established under the patronage of Donal ‘an Diamh’ MacCarthy in 1448. Donal’s great grandfather, Cormac MacCarthy Mor, decided to found an abbey after the idea appeared to him in a vision.He decided that it should be built on Carraig na Chiuil (the Rock of Music). Men were sent to find it but couldn’t. As they passed Irrelagh, they heard beautiful music coming from a rock and finally found the location.20 years after construction (in 1468), a papal indulgence was granted to help complete the buildings around Muckross Abbey. In 1612, the friars occupied the old buildings again with the buildings being fully restored in 1617. In 1652, the friars were driven out and persecuted by Cromwellian forces. In 1929, the first high mass since penal times took place in the ruins of the Muckross friary with over 2,800 Franciscan tertiaries in attendance.