CHURCHES
You do not have to share the faith of a building to sit quietly inside it.
But remember that somebody else does. These are working churches rather than museum rooms, so if a service is taking place, leave the sightseeing for another time.
St Mary's Cathedral
Outside services, go in and sit.
You don't need to walk every aisle or study every window. Sometimes the scale of the building, the stone and a quiet seat are enough.
Mass is celebrated daily, so check the current parish schedule before treating the cathedral as a place to wander.
Current parish and Mass information ↗
The Franciscan Friary
The Franciscan Friary at Fair Hill is easy to pass if you are thinking only about ruins and old buildings.
It is not a ruin.
The present friary dates from the nineteenth century and is still an active Franciscan house, but the Franciscan story in Killarney reaches much further back through Muckross and through periods when remaining Franciscan in Ireland could cost someone their life.
Inside is a relic associated with that history — the skull of Franciscan martyr Br. Francis O'Sullivan, killed in 1653.
That deserves a longer Echo of its own later. For now, go in quietly and remember that unlike many of the historic places in these guides, this tradition did not end.
Current Friary service information ↗St Mary's Church of Ireland
A different St Mary's and a very different interior.
Again, this is a living church rather than a visitor attraction. If it is open and there is no service taking place, step inside and have a look. Stay if you want to.
Current Killarney Union information ↗