Coolwood Park
www.coolwoodwildlifepark.com
Coolcaslagh, Killarney, Co. Kerry
T: + 353 64 36288
Killarney Riding Stables
www.killarney-reeks-trail.com
Ballydowney, Killarney,
Co. Kerry
T: + 353 64 31686
This serene park spreads across 10 of the
total 47 acres of woodland which make up
this privately created wildlife sanctuary built
up by the Buckley family. As with most Irish
indoor and outdoor amusements, there is a
special rate for families, 2 adults and up to
4 children. You can really make a picnic of
it. The animals have been chosen for
children, and guides allow you to stroke,
cuddle or even get kissed by them. The
raccoons, Bonnie and Lizzie, especially are
always ready for a schmooze, of course, only
when prompted by their handler. Doing the
same trick with a falcon is not on the cards,
but kids can don a thick leather glove and
hold the pet bird on their wrists. A special
baby animal enclosure adds to the fun. You
get a chance to see, up close and personal a
variety of animals from every continent, the
Arctic fox and the Australian kookaburra,
Vietnamese pigs, African meerkats, and the
large hare-like maras from Argentina. A
rustic little tuck shop covered with climbing
roses adds to the charm, more so as it
emanates the aroma of freshly baked scones
and brewing coffee.
This is yet another family-owned
enterprise, started by the O’Sullivans in
1966, and retains the warm, friendly
personal, in short Irish, touch even though
it has expanded, largely from its own
stables. Take an hour’s guided ride
through parts of Ireland’s most acclaimed
scenic spot, the Killarney National Park.
The horses are of different sizes for
different ages, but all are heavy, fat,
friendly breeds best suited for trail riding.
After a quick lesson in how to guide your
mount and move in the saddle by young,
but experienced, women, your party is led
out of the stables by them, and you
clip-clop or get into a bumpity-bump trot
through spectacular woods and pastures
ringed by mountain ranges. Herds of deer
graze along with domestic cows allowed
in to double as ‘lawn mowers’. The guides
are as adept at handling young children
and skittish adults as they are at handling
their equine wards.
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