Killarney became a magnificent town about 1750 when the local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business and four major roads were built to the outside world. Situated in the South Western corner of Ireland, with its three famous lakes reflecting the ever changing skies above the great mountain ranges, Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters for many centuries, and now it is also a thriving commercial and tourist centre.

The three lakes and mountains that surround them are all within Killarney National Park. Nearest the town is the Lower Lake (Lough Lein) studded with islands, and having on its eastern shore the historic Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle.

Sites of interest in the town reflect it's strong religious and educational history. Killarney was a Church foundation from the 5th or 6th Century, house settlement began here from around 1500.

Tourism is by far the largest industry in Killarney. With the exception of Ireland's capital city, Dublin, there are more bed nights available in Killarney than in any other Irish town or city.