Facilities

This run, located in Kilarney National Park, has a large car park right next to the start line. There is no public transport to this rural location. There are toilets available, but no changing facilities.

Course

This undulating course is mostly paved and is pan shaped. The far end of the loop in the run goes through a wooded area and along by the lake, before coming back to the open fields near the handle. For every clearing in the trees there are fantastic views to the mountains. The course is well sign posted and marshalled. Because of the many small climbs on this course it may not be the place for a PB, but it makes for a nice challenging run. One unique feature is this course is the amount of “horse apples” (to borrow a phrase from the Shawshank Redemption) on the ground. So watch your step as you go around.

Coffee

There is an cafe and craft centre near the main house very close to the finish line. The coffee is nice, and the surroundings are incredible. You can sit down and look out over the flowers in the walled garden, with the McGillycuddy Reeks mountains in the background.

X Factor

The location of this course makes this a very special parkrun. The magnificent scenery is what has made Kilarney the  tourist destination it is today and this scenery is on full display at this run. The well maintained ground of the National park add to the aesthetic beauty of the place. The history of the main house also adds to the intrigue of the place with Queen Victoria being one of its most famous visitors.