ofof The Ladies View is an ultra-famous spot in Ireland’s Killarney National Park. Behind this name, lies a marvellous viewpoint overlooking the entire park and its famous Irish lakes. The location is nothing short of magical, in the heart of the great Irish wilderness, within a 10,000-hectare park of nature, lakes and mountains. In fact, it was one of Queen Victoria’s favorite spots! (Nothing less!)
Ladies View, Killarney National Park – © borisb17
Ladies View is named after Queen Victoria, who visited Ireland in 1861.
While on her way to the Muckross House estate, the Queen was charmed by the exceptional surrounding scenery.
So much so, in fact, that she ordered the carriage to be brought to a standstill, and (unusually for the time) allowed her ladies-in-waiting to admire the view with her. According to the story, she spent a long time soaking up the view, before heading back to Muckross House.
Since that day, the site has been known as the “Ladies View”, in reference to Queen Victoria and her ladies-in-waiting, who admired the fabulous view of the region for a few minutes. Since then, this observation point has become an ultra-tourist attraction. It offers an inspiring insight into what the fabulous Killarney National Park has to offer.
The viewpoint is located 13 km from Killarney, not far from the N71, which circles the Ring of Kerry. Once there, you’ll face a superb promontory overlooking the valley and Upper Lake, one of the park’s lakes. To the left is Purple Mountain (832 metres), while to the right is Torc Mountain (535 metres).
The landscape is green, wild and surrounded by majestic mountains. Colors can be ever-changing, and the peaked mountains can take on a reddish-brown hue, absolutely magnificent as autumn approaches. A feast for the eyes!
But be careful when you visit Ladies View: it’s the busiest spot in the whole Park, and can sometimes be overcrowded… So take an early morning or evening stroll at off-peak times for the best viewing conditions! The best time to go is in May or early September: you’ll have almost no-one around, and you’ll feel like you’ve got the national park all to yourself!
Above all, don’t forget your camera: this is the ideal spot to bring back a few souvenirs and take a few selfies.