a post town of Ireland in the county of Kerry and province of Munster, seated near a fine lake called Lough Leane, or lake of Killarney. It is distant 143 miles from Dublin, and has two fairs. Within a mile and a half of this place are the ruins of the cathedral of Aghadoe, an ancient bishoprick united to Ardfert; and within four miles the ruins of Aglish church. At this town is the seat and gardens of Lord Kenmore.

The beautiful lake of Killarney is divided properly into three parts, called the lower, middle, and upper lake. The northern or lower lake is six miles in length and from three to four in breadth, and the town is situated on its northern shore. The country on this and the eastern boundary is rather of a tame character; but is here and there diversified with gentle swells, many of which afford delightful prospects of the lake, the islands, and surrounding scenery. The southern shore Killarney, is composed of immense mountains, rising abruptly from the water, and covered with woods of the finest timber. From the centre of the lake the view of this range is astonishingly sublime, presenting to the eye an extent of forest five miles in length, and from half a mile to a mile and a half in breadth, hanging in a robe of rich luxuriance on the sides of two mountains, whose bare tops rising above the whole form a perfect contrast to the verdure of the lower region. On the side of one of these mountains is O'Sullivan's cascade, which falls into the lake with a roar that strikes the timid with awe on approaching it. The view of this sheet of water is uncommonly fine, appearing as if it were descending from an arch of wood, which overhangs it about 70 feet in height from the point of view. Coasting along this shore affords an almost endless entertainment, every change of position presenting a new scene; and rocks hollowed and worn into a variety of forms by the waves, and the trees and shrubs bursting from the pores of the lapel's stone, forced to assume the most uncouth shapes to adapt themselves to their fantastic situations. The islands are not so numerous in this as in the upper lake; but there is one of uncommon beauty, viz. Innisfallen, nearly opposite to O'Sullivan's cascade: It contains 18 Irlith acres. The coast is formed into a variety of bays and promontories, skirted and crowned with arbutus, holly, and other shrubs and trees; the interior parts are diversified with hills, and dales, and gentle declivities, on which every tree and shrub appears to advantage: the soil is rich even to exuberance; and trees of the largest size incline across the vales, forming natural arches, with ivy entwining in the branches, and hanging in festoons of foliage. The promontory of Mucruis, which divides the upper from the lower lake, is a perfect land of enchantment; there is a road carried through the centre of the promontory, which unfolds all the interior beauties of the place. Amongst the distant mountains, Turk appears an object of magnificence; and Mangerton's loftier, though less interesting summit, rears itself above the whole. The passage to the upper lake is round the extremity of Muerul, which confines it on one side, and the approaching mountains on the other. Here is the celebrated rock called the eagle's nest, which produces wonderful echoes. A French horn sounded here, raises a concert superior to 100 instruments; and the report of a single cannon is answered by a succession of peals resembling the loudest thunder, which seems to travel the surrounding scenery, and die away among the distant mountains. The upper lake is four miles in length, and from two to three in breadth; and is almost surrounded by mountains, from which descend a number of beautiful cascades. The islands in this lake are numerous, and afford an amazing variety of picturesque views.—The centre lake, which communicates with the upper, is but small in comparison with the other two, and cannot boast of equal variety. The shores, however, are in many places indented with beautiful bays, surrounded with dark groves of trees, some of which have a most picturesque appearance when viewed from the water. The eastern boundary is formed by the base of Mangerton, down the steep side of which descends a cascade visible for 150 yards: this fall of water is supplied by a circular lake. Killarney lake near the summit of the mountain, called the Devil's Punch Bowl; which on account of its immense depth, and the continual overflow of water, is considered as one of the greatest curiosities in Killarney.—Mr Smith seems to think, that one of the best prospects this admired lake affords, is from a rising ground near the ruined cathedral of Aghadoe.

The lake of Killarney is otherwise called Lough Leane, or Loch Lean, from its being surrounded by high mountains. Nennius says, that these lakes were encompassed by four circles of mines; the first of tin, the second of lead, the third of iron, and the fourth of copper. In the several mountains adjacent to the lakes are still to be seen the vestiges of the ancient mines of iron, lead, and copper; but tin has not been discovered. Silver and gold are said by the Irish antiquaries to have been found in the early ages; but this is somewhat doubtful, especially in any considerable quantity, though some silver probably was extracted from the lead ore, and small quantities of gold might have been obtained from the yellow copper ore of Mucrua. However, in the neighbourhood of these lakes were found in the early ages, as well as at present, pebbles of several colours, which taking a beautiful polish, the ancient Irish wore in their ears, girdles, and different articles of their dress and furniture.