Among the attractions of Irish Killarney National Park 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 the ancestral home of the local ruling clan the O Donahue, and in the 1580s, during the Second Desmondbrotha uprising came under the control of the McCartney clan. Subsequently, Ross castle has been owned by the brown family (ancestors of the counts Kenmar) and, except for a few periods, belonged to them until the mid-20th century. During the Eleven years war (October 1641 - April 1653) between Irish Catholics and English and Scottish Protestant Ross castle fell one of the last.

The castle is a typical medieval fortification Ireland. In the centre stands a huge five-story tower on the perimeter of which built a massive defensive wall with circular towers, crenellated at the corners. Despite the fact that the tower was actually a residential building, it was designed to protect its inhabitants from possible invaders. Multilevel protection consisted of iron bars covering the entrance, a two-layer oak door, small holes or so-called holes-killers, allowing attack to break through the first cordon, spiral staircase with steps of different heights, giving rise enemy's upper floors, two hinged loopholes (machicolations), specially equipped toothed roofs, etc.

Ross castle is 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, old oak furniture, household items, weapons and more.

There is a legend about how the unknown force literally "sucked" Maura O Donoghue from the window of his room, and the lake was swallowed by Mr. Mora together with the horse, some pieces of furniture and an extensive library. Rumor has it that O Donahue so since then, and lives in a huge Palace on the lake bottom, looking after their former possessions. Local legend says that once in seven years in early may morning it is possible to contemplate O Donahue who is going round the lake on a white horse, and who will see him have a glimpse of the rest of your life will have good luck.