Killarney.
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Overview

Killarney is a town in County Kerry in southwest Ireland. In 2022 it had a resident population of 14,000 but in summer they're outnumbered by tourists, because this is one of the most scenic areas of Ireland, firmly on the tourist circuit for over 150 years. Its lakes command great views of Ireland's highest mountains, and the landscape is protected as Killarney National Park. It's the usual starting point for the Ring of Kerry, the 214-km circuit along the coast of Iveragh Peninsula.

Killarney in Irish is Cill Airne, "church of sloes" or blackthorns. The origin of this is obscure, but other suggested derivations are even more obscure, so sloes it is.

Understand

The area around Killarney had industry from metal ores in prehistoric times, and from the 7th century became a centre for religious learning, with monasteries on Inisfallen and elsewhere. From 1747 it became one of the first places to try to promote a tourist trade, as part of Viscount Kenmare's efforts to improve his estate. This didn't get very far in an era when very few people could enjoy the luxury of leisure travel, and travel within Ireland was especially tedious. That changed with the arrival of the railway in 1853, encouraged by Henry Arthur Herbert who now owned the estate. Hotels popped up, and tourists flocked to enjoy the antiquities and scenery around the three lakes, and the longer circuit of the Ring of Kerry.

Muckross House and the estate changed hands a couple of times then in 1932 were gifted to the nation, to become Ireland's first national park. The park has expanded considerably since then, and now ranges from genteel municipal gardens at the edge of town to forest with herds of red deer and wild mountain terrain. (There are no fees or gates, but you might pay for parking or other activities.) There are also large tracts of mountain that are beyond the park but protected in similar ways: this larger area is also described here.

Bus tours of the Ring of Kerry start from Killarney and always go anti-clockwise, to Killorglin, Caherciveen, Portmagee, Waterville, Derrynane, Kenmare and back to Killarney. Independent travellers starting from Tralee, Killarney or Kenmare will probably do best to go clockwise. Starting from other towns on the circuit, go anti-clockwise as you've a few hours start and should always be able to keep ahead of the wagon train.

Killarney Tourist Information Centre is at Beech St V93 AW26, open daily 9AM-5PM.

Get in

You might prefer to fly into Dublin Airport, which has a much greater range of flights and onward transport, or into Shannon two hours drive away.

By road from Dublin follow M7 to Limerick, N21 to Castleisland then N22 / 23 into Killarney, say 4 hours.

Trains run to Killarney every couple of hours from Mallow (some starting from Cork), and continue north to Farranfore (for Kerry Airport) and Tralee. There's one direct train daily from Dublin Heuston, but usually you change at Mallow, with a journey time of 3 hr 20 min. Change also at Mallow for Limerick or Galway.

Dublin Coach 300 runs every two hours from Dublin Burgh Quay and Red Cow Luas station via Kildare, Limerick, Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale to Killarney, taking 4 hr 20 min. From Dublin airport take their bus for Portlaoise, Waterford or Dundrum and change at Red Cow. Bus 300 starts every 30 min but most either branch north at Limerick for Bunratty and Ennis, or at Abbeyfeale for Tralee.

Bus Éireann 40 treks cross-country every hour or so, from Rosslare ferry port via Wexford, New Ross, Waterford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Cork, Macroom and Ballyvourney to Killarney, continuing to Farranfore and Tralee.

Bus 14 runs 4 times a day from Limerick via Adare, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Castleisland, Kerry Airport and Farranfore, taking 2 hours.

Bus 271 runs twice M-Sa from Tralee via Castleisland, Kerry Airport and Farranfore to Killarney.

Bus 270 runs every hour or two from Kenmare, via Kilgarvan east of the park so you don't get the scenic route. M-F three of these come from Skibbereen via Bantry and Glengarriff.

are adjacent in town centre. The railway ticket office is open M Sa 7AM-1:45PM, Tu-F 7AM-5:45PM and there are ticket machines and toilets.

Get around

It is a common and wise custom of those who make this tour, and are not pressed for time, to hire the carriage at the hotel in Killarney and continue with it "all the way round." It is absolutely marvellous what these mountain bred horses can get through "thinking nothing" of thirty miles for days together or even fifty miles in a single day. - Travelogue of 1858

Town is compact, but you need horsepower or wheels for Killarney National Park - a bike works well.

Bike hire is available at Killarney Rent a Bike (three locations, aka O' Sullivan's) and Killarney Bike Rental.

Avis and Budget car rentals have a downtown desk on Kenmare Place.

O’Callaghan Bus KY01 circles town hourly and out to Ross Castle and Muckross Abbey.

Bus KY03 runs Apr-Sep M-Sa every hour or so between the railway station and the Brehon and Gleneagles hotels south edge of town.

For bus tours around the Ring of Kerry, see County Kerry#Get around.

Taxis are usually waiting at the railway station and along College St.

Local Link buses run from Corrow and Farranfore (R8), Beaufort and Fossa (R31), Milltown (R16 & R33), Headford (R34), Sneem (R45), Lauragh (R46), Lissivigeen (R56) and Gneeveguilla (R57). They’re very infrequent, typically one morning a week into town for a shopping trip then back out early afternoon, so they’re no help for sight-seeing.

Jaunting Cars were once a common tourist conveyance in Ireland but are now almost confined to Killarney. They come in various configurations but typically seat four, with a single horse and a driver known as a "jarvey". They'll trot you round town and out to Ross Castle and Muckross. Tours of Dunloe Gap involve a transfer from town by boat or conventional car then the jaunting car takes you up the lane.

See

Town centre along High St is typical 19th-century low-rise, pleasant enough but always busy with traffic. St Mary's RC Cathedral, west along New St, is a grand neo-gothic structure completed in 1855. Franciscan Friary on Fair Hill north of the station remains active. It's a hefty building of 1860, founded by Belgian friars, and you can attend church services to see the ornate altarpiece and stained-glass windows. Killarney National Park is ranged along the shores of Lough Leane, open 24 hours. Multiple entrances, with one just west of St Mary's Cathedral, and several along Mission Road.

Killarney House. This now hosts the park visitor centre. It was originally a grand 18th-century chateau but proved serially combustible, so eventually the owners gave up and decamped to the stables, converting them into the present house.

Ross Castle. A well-preserved 15th-century tower house on the lake shore. The owners were ousted after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and it became a barracks until the 19th century, so it was kept repaired. Visit by guided tour.

is the peninsula west of the castle, with mixed forest and firm trails. It was mined for copper from about 2400 BC to 1900 BC. Lough Leane by the town is the largest and lowest of the Killarney lakes. The name means "lake of learning" probably referring to its monasteries. For the visitor it's the lake of viewing, as it creates an unbroken vista west towards the mountains. is the largest island in Lough Leane: boat trips visit. The ruined abbey dates from 640 AD, though what you see is from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Annals of Inisfallen were compiled here from 1092 and are now in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. or Middle Lake is smaller but 75 m deep, as it fills a glacial scour. A pleasant hike circles it, crossing by old stone bridges. is 3 km further southwest. The fall on the river is only 2 m so small boats can travel between the three lakes; perhaps the supposed lake monster does likewise. The river flows into Muckross Lake at Meeting of the Waters, where there's a weir and a channel direct into Lough Leane.

Muckross Abbey. The first monastery was founded in the 6th century, but the ruins you see now are of the Franciscan friary of 1448. (Actually not an abbey, where monks live in seclusion: friars preached in their locality.) It was smashed up on several occasions before Dissolution and a final scourging by Cromwell. The ruin is roofless but extensive; a striking central courtyard has a yew tree and cloisters. The graveyard remains in use.

Killegy Chapel is 300 m north of Muckross Park Hotel off N71 near the friary. It's an overgrown 18th-century mortuary chapel. The Celtic High Cross in the graveyard is Victorian, commemorating Colonel Henry Arthur Herbert (1815-1866) the owner of Muckross Estate and statesman.

Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms. Grand mansion built in 1843 in Tudor style, and embellished for Queen Victoria's visit of 1861. Two sideshows have outgrown the original attraction: "Muckross Traditional Farms" are an outdoor museum of farm life in Kerry in the 1930s, with demonstration of country crafts and cutesy animals for children to pet. There's also a large clothing and pottery retail outlet.

is the 110-m cascade of the Owengarriff Rive. It descends 20 m but not in a clean drop. The river flows out of the Devil's Punchbowl, a corrie lake beneath Mangerton Mountain, following the fault line that underlies this area. There are several walking trails, and after you've slogged up them for a while, you'll probably guess how the "Cardiac Steps" got their name. is a viewpoint on N71 climbing out of Killarney towards Kenmare. Coaches and motorists often make a stop here, and there's a cafe and gift shop.

is a scenic mountain gorge west of the lough, created when a glacier broke through and bruised its way north. It's flanked by Macgillycuddy's Reeks to the west and the Purple Mountains east. Tour groups transfer to pony carts for the ride up. The lane traversing the gorge is a public road so you may drive it, but it's very narrow, and cars come into conflict with other cars, bikes, more cars, pony carts and yet more cars. Dunloe Ogham Stones stand near the north end of the gap. They're from the 5th or 6th century though their present position and arrangement is modern. They're burial markers, naming various maci mocoi toicaki (sons of the Tóecraige tribe). at 1038 m (3407 ft ) is Ireland's highest mountain, midway along the ridge of Macgillycuddy's Reeks. The ascent is a strenuous hike, hazardous in poor weather, usually 5-6 hours there and back via Devil's Ladder trail. If you're hard enough walk the whole ridge, with some half a dozen peaks of around 900 m. If you only want a Sunday stroll, or the weather's iffy and you prefer a low-altitude Plan B, park at Cronin's Yard and make your way up Hag's Glen. Aghadoe is a straggling village north of the lough, partly bypassed by N71. It has the cylindrical stump of 13th-century Parkavonear Castle and Aghadoe Cathedral, built 1158 over an earlier monastery church and falling into ruin in the 17th century. But the main attraction is the sweeping view over the lough towards the mountains, so there's a cluster of hotels here.

Do

What's on? Listen to Radio Kerry on 96.2 - 97.6 FM, or read The Kerryman or Kerry's Eye. Gleneagle Arena is an events venue 1 km south of town off Muckross Rd by Gleneagle Hotel. Boat trips in summer start from the jetty by Ross Castle. Operators are Lily of Killarney, Killarney Lake Tours and Gap of Dunloe Tours which are small open boats. Gaelic games: Kerry GAA the county football team usually play home games at Fitzgerald Stadium (capacity 38,000), 1 km north of the station along Lewis Rd. Don't try to park around here on match days. The county hurling team play at Austin Stack Park in Tralee. has a gym, pool and fitness classes. It's 2 km east of town centre on the bypass N22. Cinema: Omniplex is 200 m east of the station at Park Rd V93 Y5AA. CinemaKillarney on East Avenue Rd is in poor repair, with complaints about the sound quality.

Killarney Races. This hosts both flat-racing and National Hunt (jumps) May to Oct. The racetrack surrounds Ross golf course, 1 km southwest of town centre.

Horse and pony riding: Muckross Horse Riding is on N71 200 m south of Muckross Park Hotel near the abbey. Killarney Riding Stables are 1 km west of town on N72 towards Aghadoe. Golf: Ross GC is within the racetrack. Castlerosse GC is 1 km west of town on N72. Killarney Golf & Fishing Club is another km west on the lake shore. Beaufort GC is 14 km west of town off N72.

Buy

Killarney Outlet Centre. A large indoor mall.

Deerpark retail park is east edge of town, with Tesco and Aldi.

Eat

The first glance shows the traveller in the midst of what a Golgotha he stands. In the wretched corner set apart for the paupers the earth is covered with deal planks and fresh remnants of coffins in shocking profusion. - Famine scenes at Aghadoe in 1849 - so eat up all your dinner and be grateful, and less of those snarky online comments about how inexpertly they seared your monkfish. Milano at 16 Main St V93 P46Y is open Su-Th noon-9PM, F Sa noon-10PM. KBK Killarney Burger Kitchen at 12 Main St V93 V30R is open W-Su 1-9PM. Hilliard’s at 6 Main St V93 X8NX is open M-F 5-9:30PM, Sa Su 1-9:30PM. Carragh at 106 New St V93 HR58 is open daily 1-9PM. Quinlan’s Seafood Bar at 77 High St V93 R2X3 is open daily 12:30-9PM.

Stonechat. Laid-back restaurant with international cuisine.

Treyvaud's. Irish cooking with a continental twist.

Mizu is Japanese at 52 High St V93 D560, open daily noon-10PM.

Bricín. Atmospheric place with trad dishes including boxty, potato pancakes.

Sultan at East Avenue Rd V93 WKT5 is open W-M 3-11PM.

Kitty O’Sé’s Seafood and Grill on College St is open daily noon-9:30PM. Vendricks is in The Courtyard at Fair Hill V93 TO42 near the station, open daily 5-9PM.

Kate Kearney's Cottage. The best pub is there when you need it and this one at the north end of the Gap is perfect after a hard day's hike.

The Kerry Way. Steakhouse and bar with rooms on the main road into County Cork.

Drink

Courtneys Bar. Atmospheric pub since 1891, with wooden interior, log fires in winter, variety of clientele, live music varies from trad to rock.

The Grand Killarney. Great night out in Killarney with live music every night in the bar, and disco in the nightclub every night. They also have rooms.

Scott's Bar. With a large beer garden, live music in summer. Trad music occasionally in The Snug.

JM Reidy’s is at 4 High St V93 CC82, open daily 8AM-11PM. Danny Mann is at 97 New St V93 V0HR, open M-F 5-11:30PM, Sa Su noon-11PM.

Celtic Whiskey Bar. Chic modern place with a huge range of whiskey.

Sleep

Black Sheep Hostel. Friendly helpful hostel and cafe, with dorms and private rooms.

Neptune's Hostel. Spacious central hostel, free parking. Friendly, knowledgeable staff can help with local trips.

Railway Hostel by the station gets rotten reviews.

Killarney Flesk Caravan & Camping Park. Well-run site on south edge of town, open May-Sep.

Fossa Caravan & Camping Park. Clean, friendly site on main road 6 km west of town, open mid Mar - Oct.

Elyod House. Welcoming B&B in a quiet part of town.

Failte Hotel. Simple, central mid-range hotel with lively bar.

Scott’s Hotel is 50 m south of Failte Hotel at Scott St V93 FY7A. Killarney Towers is at College St V93 HP7A.

Arbutus Hotel. Charming Deco-style hotel established in 1926, very central. Buckley's Bar has live music.

The Ross. Comfy central place run by Killarney Park (below). Residents have free access to the main hotel's facilities.

International Hotel is next to The Ross at Kenmare Place V93 PXK3. Killarney Plaza is at Kenmare Place V93 X3VW. Killarney Avenue Hotel is at Kenmare Place V93 YW9D. Killarney Lodge is a B&B at Countess Rd V93 CX88.

Copper Kettle Townhouse is a B&B branch of Fairview 50 m further up Lewis Rd. Rooms are small and cramped, don’t be misled by pics of the main hotel. Muckross Rd (N71 leading south) and its side streets have a string of accommodation. These include Castle Lodge, Abbey Lodge, Emerville House, Randles Hotel, Dromhall Hotel, Harmony Inn / Glena House, Old Weir Lodge, The Vero, Whitegates, Parkavon Hotel, Riverside Hotel and The Harp. Woodlawn Rd off Muckross Rd has Woodlawn House, Earls Court House and Hayes House. Countess Rd east and its side streets have The Birches, The Gardens, Algret House and Guaire House.

Inveraray Farm. Comfy, friendly B&B west of the lough, great views. Open Apr-Oct.

Killarney Hotel (formerly Inisfallen Hotel) re-opened in 2026. It’s 5 km west of town on N72, opposite Europe Hotel (below).

Great Southern Killarney. This elegant 1854 building gets great reviews for comfort and service. With health club and landscaped garden. Free parking.

Killarney Park. Plush central hotel with pool and spa, top reviews for comfort and service.

Aghadoe Heights. Upmarket hotel and spa, gets great reviews. With restaurants, private banqueting facilities and a penthouse.

The Dunloe. Upscale resort hotel west of lough, the hotel is modern with the 13th century castle in its grounds.

Europe Hotel. Splendid resort hotel and spa on the shores of Loch Lein, with golf course and conference centre.

Cahernane House Hotel. Upscale manor house built in 1877 at the south edge of town, with 48 rooms in three wings all with lifts. Manor House is the original block, others are Garden Wing and Coach House (the only rooms with a/c). Assistance dogs only.

The Brehon. Attractive edge-of-town hotel with fine dining and spa. Assistance dogs only. Free parking. They also have self-catering Flesk Apartments.

Coolclogher House on the south riverbank is a Georgian mansion used for events such as weddings, but doesn't operate as a hotel. Gleneagle Killarney is 200 m south of the Brehon at Muckross Rd V93 V6WF.

Muckross Park Hotel. Spa hotel near the friary. Good but not great reviews.