Lila's Day Four:
After breakfast, I explored the outside of Parknasilla Resort to photograph its New England looking exterior, viewing areas and enjoyed a morning hike down to the ocean cove.
Our first stop was Sneem in Co. Kerry to inspect new 4 star Sneem Hotel. Sneem Hotel is a short five minute walk to Sneem village. It is built on a hillside with many of the rooms overlooking spectacular Kenmare Bay (Golden Cove) and Ireland's highest mountain, Carrauntouhil. Boating, hiking and biking are just a few of the outdoor activies available. The rooms are large, and comfortable with contemporary design and decor. The restaurant and bar area promote use of fresh local produce and offer balcony views. There are quite a few two bedroom kitchenette apartments large enough for family gatherings and extended vacations. The Sneem Hotel is an affordable getaway for travelers desiring time on the Ring of Kerry . Sneem Hotel offers multiple rooms available for conferences and wedding receptions.
As we headed to Killarney National Park , the first national park established in Ireland in 1932, the scenery intensified . We passed valleys, mountains, the three lakes of Killarney, flora, streams and waterfalls. In Killarney town, we left our coach to climb aboard several "jaunting cars " (horse and buggies holding six passengers) for an hour's tour on the trails inside Killarney Nat'l Park. Riding in a jaunting car was a major highlight for our group with perfect sunny weather and red-hued fall leaves. Our driver stopped at Lough Leane (the lake of learning) to view the swans. We savored our 30 minute break to walk across a beautiful bridge to explore Ross Castle, home of the 15th century O'Donaghue's stronghold. Boats were moored at the castle ferrying passengers across to other vantage points across the lake. 
At the end of our carriage journey, it was a short walk to nearby Killarney Park Hotel, a 5 star luxury family-owned property, awarded Gold List by Conde Naste Traveler and a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World. We were graced with a delicious lunch of soup, finger sandwiches and tea in the private dining room. Following lunch, we toured the hotel inspecting the lime green and brown or raspberry and brown decor of contemporary deluxe rooms and suites. I could picture myself relaxing in the library, watching guests play in the billiards room or cuddling up with a blanket and good book in one of the many antique filled lounges. We took a quick peek at The Spa that offers 8 Elemis treatment suites with packages that include jet lag relief. An excellent venue for dinner is The Park Restaurant and Wine Cellar. The Killarney Park Hotel is a perfect resort for a two night stay offering a warm country estate experience.
We were privileged to have an hour to explore Killarney with its many shops and busy cobblestone streets .
Next stop was a short drive to Muckross Park for a guided tour of Muckross House and Gardens, an estate visited by Queen Victoria and owned by the Herbert family for generations. The Muckross House has been restored with most of the original furniture and artwork. Lots of interesting information was shared about how different pieces of furniture was used. As part of the tour, we stopped briefly to watch wool being spun. The Muckross House and Gardens was bustling with Sunday afternoon crowds.
Onward to inspect 5 star Muckross Park Hotel and Cloistucers Spa , the only hotel located inside Killarney's majestic National Park. The Muckross Park
Hotel & Cloisters Spa is one of oldest hotels in Killarney. It
opened as The Herbert Arms in 1795 and was part of the original Muckross House Estate. It is known for award winning Molly Darcy's Pub . This property offers about 70 newly refurbished rooms. George Bernard Shaw stayed here when writing My Fair Lady and Queen Victoria was a lunch guest. After a champagne reception in Monks Bar, a dark intimate bar with leather couches and dark wood paneled walls, we inspected a few rooms. Muckross Park Hotel additonally offers 6 contemporary suites and 2 historic tower suites with private spiral staircase entries. We saw a brief peek of Cloisters Spa known for its gothic inspired design. Our tour ended with formal afternoon tea . I noticed a different and delicious taste to the tea sandwiches. Instead of flat slices of cucumber for a cucumber sandwich, small pieces of cucumber and onions were added to many sandwiches of tuna, egg salad, roast beef and others. 
From Killarney Nat'l Park, we drove a half hour back to Kenmare to check in at 5 star Sheen Falls Lodge, a member of Relais and Chateaux and promoted by Signature Travel Network. Sheen Falls was rated "Third Best Hotel Room in Europe" in Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards 2005. Before sunset, I explored Queen's Walk down below the property to view Sheen River, waterfalls and surrounding property. Sheen Falls Lodge was a privately owned country house prior to opening in 1991. It encompasses 300 wooded acres along a lake. Today deer and wildlife roam the area freely. Activities abound with boating, sailing, salmon fishing, hiking, tennis, croquet, horseback riding with stables on property, cycling tours and more. Sheen Falls offers a library, meeting facilities, and lots of private areas for relaxing. La Cascade Restaurant provides fine dining and Oscars Bar and Bistro is available for informal dining as a nautical themed restaurant. Both have waterfall views. Sheen Bar and Sunlounge offer lunch and afternoon tea in a more traditional setting.
Sheen Falls Lodge has multiple room categories decorated with pale yellow walls, high ceilings, french windows, thick carpeting, large double-sinked bathrooms with separate tubs , and seating areas to view Sheen Falls or the river. The Presidential Suite is 1350 square feet with an octagonal shaped 20 foot high ceiling. This expansive property offers nearby villas and private cottages for extended stays. The Health Club Spa will be undergoing an intensive rennovation to match the ambiance of the resort as the spa is small and dated. For golfers, Kenmare Golf club and Ring of Kery Golf and Country Club are close by. Sheen Falls Lodge is an excellent choice for one or two nights to explore the Ring of Kerry and Kenmare.
After some rest, we headed to Kenmare for dinner at The Lime Tree, one of the most requested restaurants in Kenmare. As we drove through Kenmare village, I saw at least one restaurant for every day of a month. Lots of colorful buildings and activity. The Lime Tree is a little cottage that was an old schoolhouse built in 1832 and set back from the road behind lush vegetation. It was like visiting a neighbor in the country and stepping inside someone's home to find an open log fire, stone walls, long tables and baskets full of varieties of fresh breads and dips. The Lime Tree's menu offered a creative mix of Irish and tasty Mediterranean fresh products.