A Quick Guide to Killarney

The bottom line on Killarney is that you will either love it or hate it. To some it's a jewel, a friendly and bustling town set by the beautiful Killarney lakes and overlooked by the highest mountains in Ireland. To others it's an over-priced, overrated tourist trap, fit only to pass through quickly on the way to the Ring of Kerry. All we can suggest is that you visit and decide for yourself.

The town originally grew up as a mining town when rich veins of copper and iron ore were found in the area, but those mining it quickly realised that the beautiful mountain and lake land scenery around the mines was more valuable that what they contained. In short order it became a tourist destination, and by the time the trains arrived in the mid-19th century it was already an essential stop for fashionable holiday makers from England.

Its glory in still all in its hinterland, there really isn't much to see in the actual town. Just outside is Muckross House, where the gardens stretching down to the lake edge are very lovely and in addition to tours of the house there is a traditional farm to explore. The nearby Torc Waterfall is most impressive when there has been plenty of rain (a not unusual situation in these parts) when it thunders dramatically though its woodland setting.

Rosse Castle, on the road to Kenmare, was one of the last places to hold out against Cromwell's forces and has now been restored perhaps a little too perfectly.

And then of course there is the magnificent Ring of Kerry, an essential drive for many which takes a circular route around some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Ireland. Both it and Killarney can become somewhat overcrowded in Summer, so our advice if you are here at that time is to skip the ring and head south instead to the much quieter and equally beautiful Beara Peninsula.

A unmissable feature of Killarney are the Jarveys, drivers of horse drawn traps who, for a fairly hefty price, will take you from the town to Muckross and the lakes. It is fun, but you are better driving out to Muckross and hiring a Jarvey there for a lakeside trip. It will cost less, and be just as enjoyable.

Things to do and see

A selection of places and activities that are in Killarney or that can be visited while using Killarney as a base. For more activities that may be in reach see our Area Guides.

Killarney and the Ring of Kerry

Skellig Michael
Skellig Micheal off the Kerry coast is a World heritage site, site of an ancient Christian Monastery and an important wild bird sanctuary.

Festival and Events

The Shindig Festival 2009 Festival | Date: Jan 23rd - 25th

The Kerry Pageant Festival 2009 Festival | Date: March 15th - 17th

Sneem Family Fun Festival Festival | Date: 23rd - 27th July

Puck Fair Festival | Date: 10th - 12th August

Dingle Film Festival Film | Date: 11th - 14th Sept

Patrick O'Keeffe Traditional Music Festival Music: Traditional | Date: Oct 24th-27th

Listowel Food Fair 2008 Festival | Date: Nov 6th - 9th

Tour Itineraries

Some tour itineraries which explore in or include Co Kerry:

Fishing Tour of Ireland
A three-center suggested fishing tour of Ireland, with great variety and lots of touring potential along the way for non-fishers.

One Day Ring of Kerry Tour
Travel through some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland, with lots to do as well as see and tips for avoiding the crowds at high season.