Among the attractions of the Irish National Park Killarney Ross Castle, undoubtedly, deserves special attention. The old castle is located on the shores of picturesque Loch Lane (one of the three famous lakes of Killarney) and open to the public.

Ross Castle was built in the late 15th century as a nest of local ruling clan O'Donoghue, and in the 1580s during the Second Desmondskogo uprising took control of the clan McCartney. Later the castle became the property of the family of Ross Brown (ancestors Kenmeyr counts), and except for a few periods belonged to them until the mid-20th century. During the eleven-year war (October 1641 - April 1653) between Irish Catholics and British Protestants and Scottish Ross Castle fell one of the last.

The castle is a typical fortification of medieval Ireland. In the center stands a huge five-storey tower, which was erected around the perimeter of the massive defensive walls with round towers at the corners of loopholes. Despite the fact that the tower was actually an apartment building, it was designed to maximize protect its inhabitants against possible invaders. Multilevel protection consisted of an iron grille covering the entrance, two-layer oak door, small holes, or the so-called hole-killers, allowing attack to break through the first cordon, spiral staircase with steps of varying heights, hampered the rise of the enemy on the top floors of two hinged loopholes (machicolations) specially equipped toothed roofs, etc.

Ross Castle well preserved to the present day, and is an important architectural and historical monument. The interior of the castle carefully restored, and you can see here the old oak furniture, household items, weapons and more.

There is a legend about how a mysterious force is literally "sucked" Maura O'Donohue from the window of his room, and the lake swallowed Mr. Mora, along with a horse, a few pieces of furniture and an extensive library. Rumor has it that O'Donoghue so since then, and lives in a huge palace on the bottom of the lake, keeping an eye on his former possessions. Local same belief has it that once every seven years in the early May morning can contemplate O'Donoghue, go around the lake on a white horse, and the one who sees him at least a glimpse of the end of life will have good luck.