Seeing the sights of Killarney

Seeing the sights of Killarney
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Shades of Green — By Katharine Rose Gergosian, Special to WoRD

This past week, I had the opportunity to do a little sight-seeing beyond the city limits of Cork. I traveled to Killarney, a small quaint town about an hour's drive northwest of Cork on the opposite side of the island of Ireland.

Going by bus, we rode on a two-lane, winding road that traversed a rich topography of rolling hills and plush greenery. I held my breath a few times as the road came close to the edge of a cliff. Fortunately, the Irish are sane about their driving habits and take precautions on these back roads.

Coming into Killarney, we saw thatched roof buildings and farms divided by stone walls carefully made by hand many years ago. There were jaunting cars and horse-driven carriages that used to be the only way to get around Ireland. Gorgeous mountains that perhaps would be considered hills in United States standards slopped down to three main lakes that stretch along a broad valley. These are the world famous "Lakes of Killarney" and they offer views that are simply stunning.

Hopping on a bicycle in downtown Killarney, I made my way through the busy streets to the outskirts of town where the Killarney National Park is located. If possible, the scenery was even more picturesque.

Dirt roads led me through fields and a forest full of cows, birds and majestic trees known as Oakwoods. In the heart of the park is Muckross Estate, a beautiful Victorian estate that proved to be the perfect place for lunch.

One of the highlights of this journey was seeing Torc Waterfall. It is not particularly tall, dropping 60 feet from the peak, but once again, the views were amazing. From the bottom of the falls, I looked up and followed the path of the water down over the cliffs and to the river below. Climbing the incredibly steep path next to the falls, I reached a peak near the top with more inspiring views of the park and nearby mountain ranges.

I travelled with the University College Cork's International Society. There were about 50 of us from many different parts of the world and it provided the perfect backdrop for this weekend of new experiences. Here was a wealth of learning about different cultures and countries waiting to be tapped into and unfolded.

One of the ways we discovered more about our various native cultures was through food. We cooked and dined on Italian, French and German cuisine. I offered a little of my Armenian heritage with a dish of pilaf in between traditional American fare of macaroni and cheese and apple crisp.

On the way back home, in the middle of the countryside, there was a sign that caught everyone's attention. It was painted bright yellow with a colorful little man and red printing that read "Leprechaun Crossing."

The bus driver heard us chuckling and told us that legend has it long ago in Ireland, the land was filled with wee folk. The leprechauns were shoemakers for the fairies and each one guarded a crock of gold that he kept hidden at the end of a rainbow.

"If you are lucky enough to spot one, fix him in your gaze," he advised, "for if you don't, he will trick you and once you look away, he will vanish and you will never see him again, nor the crock of gold."

Ireland is truly a beautiful, magical place. There is much to be said for a country that time seems to have forgotten — where marble is still mined by hand and many people get around by bicycle.

Katharine Rose Gergosian is a 2005 graduate of Mt. Ararat High School and a junior at the University of Maine at Farmington studying secondary English education. She is spending a semester abroad in Ireland at the University College Cork. As the recipient of the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship she is devoted to sharing her experiences with others and bringing cultural awareness to those on both sides of the ocean. She can be reached at katharine.gergosian@gmail.com.