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Tourism

Killarney - Your place for all seasons

With 26,000 Acres of "free to roam" Killarney National Park surrounded by Kerry's wonderful landscapes and wilderness, more top class golf courses than you can shake a putter at, miles of nearby golden "blue flag" beaches and a choice of accommodation, dining and entertainment options second to none, there are few places elsewhere on this earth that can offer the visitor such a wonderful choice within such an intimate and hospitable location.

At any time of year, with or without guides, walkers can choose from low level parkland walks around beautiful lakes and through some of Ireland's oldest Oakwoods, to higher level hill walks on old coach roads and bridle paths, or for the more adventurous, take on the 3000 feet + summits of the "iconic" MacGillicuddy Reeks. Long and short "linear" walks including some of the pioneering "waymarked" walks like the Kerry-Way and the Dingle-Way can be navigated in full or in part. Killarney has a plethora of "loop walks" where walkers return to the start point without recovering their steps - some can be completed in 30 minutes while others can take 4+ hours. Check out the Annual Walk Killarney Programme on this website. If cycling is your passion, you can hire a bike from one of the numerous "bike hire" providers in Killarney and explore and discover the Killarney Valley at your leisure. Many of the recognised routes through the National Park are also open to cyclists. Bring a picnic on the carrier and dine by the lakes.

For lovers of equine travel, Killarney is beyond question the place to visit. Whether you want to take a guided trek through Killarney's National Park, a pony ride through the magnificent Gap of Dunloe or a leisurely and entertaining trip around Killarney's Lakes in an Irish Jaunting Car, you will experience a most unique and enjoyable return to the pre-car transport era. If horseracing is your love, the Summer & Autumn meetings in Killarney are an absolute must.

Nowhere else on this island is the golfer presented with such a choice of courses? Killarney has been aptly described by Golf World Magazine as the "golfing base camps of all base camps". Within a two hour drive from Killarney town you will find 43 Courses including many of Ireland's top 20 courses e.g., Killarney, Ballybunion, Tralee and Waterville. If you really want to chill out, ground transport for golfing groups and individuals is also well catered for by long established golf coach operators in Killarney.

Brendan Behan once described his first sight of the Lakes of Killarney as being one of three wonderful memories he would carry through his life (the other two relate to the fairer sex and to vintage champagne). Visitors can experience these wonderful waterways in all weather covered lake cruisers, engine powered traditional lake boats or self-propelled row boats. You can simply laze your way around the lakes, stop off at the numerous historic stops and islands, or chase the Killarney brown trout or more elusive salmon. Fishing enthusiasts can also avail of the many fine fishing rivers in Kerry or venture to the nearby Atlantic Gulf Stream coast

Finally, Killarney & Kerry are blessed with some exceptional Gardens open to visitors. In Killarney apart from the highly popular Muckross Gardens, garden enthusiasts can also visit the unique gardens surrounding Hotel Dunloe Castle - a great favourite of Sir Roy Lancaster. Nearby the choice includes Millstreet Country Gardens, Derrynane National Historic Park & Gardens around Daniel O'Connell's house, Derreen Gardens near Kenmare and the beautiful Italian Garden on Garnish Island near Glengarrif.

There is hardly a road or path in Killarney that doesn't at some point touch the built and natural heritage of Kerry - from 4,500 year old Bronze Age Copper Mines on Ross Island to 15th Century Castles to Victorian Mansions and Traditional Working Farms of the 1930's at Muckross. Observe the wildlife in Killarney National Park, the indigenous Red Deer and the introduced but rare and protected Sika Deer and you might even catch a glimpse of the recently re-introduced White Tailed Sea Eagle.

Finally, the Killarney Valley is at the heart of the magnificent gulf-stream coastal county of Kerry and local coach operators offer days trips around the famous Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula and beyond into Ireland's southwest region.

After your day's activity, where better to relax and unwind or celebrate that summit reached, record weight fish or a golfing hole in one, than in Killarney's famed high quality hospitality establishments. From Budget Hostel to some of Ireland's finest 5* Star Hotels, whatever your preference or budget, Killarney has it all in abundance. Restaurants, Pubs, Entertainment and for the healthy options, Pools, Gyms and wonderful Spas and Treatments.

Here are 10 Good Reasons to come visit Killarney!

Tradition

Killarney has been welcoming visitors for over 250 years - and became an integral part of "The Victorian Grand Tour" circuit after the landmark visit of Queen Victoria in 1861. Since then it has continued to welcome visitors from all over the world.

Quality & Choice

Five of Ireland's twenty five 5* Properties are in Killarney - i.e., 20% in one small location including an amazing range of "Spa Treatment & Wellness" options. Killarney also has an incredible range of other accommodation options i.e., 4*, 3* & 2* Hotels, Guesthouses, Bed & Breakfast Homes, Hostels, Self-Catering, and Camping & Caravan sites.

Hospitality & Welcome

The "welcome" is genuine, warm yet professional, and the choice of top quality Dining and Entertainment options is superb. Shopping in Killarney is a most pleasant experience. Killarney Guides, whether Jarvies, Boatmen or Walking Guides will keep you spellbound with the rich folklore of this special place.

History & Heritage

The Killarney Valley is steeped in human history & heritage going back 9000 years through to the Bronze Age, through the Celtic and early Christian times and Medieval periods,with more recent strong literary links to the great writers of the "Romatic Period".

Landscape Beauty

A place of incredible and everchanging beauty - surrounded by majestic mountains, lakes and woodlands, for centuries Killarney has been aptly known as "Heaven's Reflex - Where Angels Fold Their Wings and Rest"

Nature & Wildlife

Gulfstream sub-tropical at times, with its 26,000 acre National Park it is home to some of Ireland's oldest Oak Woods, Europe's largest Yew Woods, Ireland's only indigenous Red Deer Herd, the rare and protected Sika Deer Herd, and has been selected as the re-introduction location for the magnificent White-Tailed Sea Eagle, etc.

Golf

Killarney is the perfect base from which to play the 43 courses in Ireland's "Gulfstream Golfing Paradise" - including the famed courses of Killarney, Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee, Dooks etc. Click here to download factsheet (PDF)

Culture

Killarney is Rich in Traditional Music & Dance, Literature, Storytelling and Art. Throughout the year there are various events, workshops and performances across the full range of cultural specialties - many with an international appeal and participation. Killarney has many cultural groups dealing with Drama, Music, Art, Dance, Literature, Irish language & Folklore etc.

Access & Touring

Killarney is very well served by its nearby Kerry Airport with direct scheduled services to the UK and some EU destinations as well as a regular mult-flight daily service to & from Dublin. We are also weel served by the neighbouring Cork & Shannon International Airports and the adjacent Car Ferry Seaports in Cork & Rosslare. With several daily Train connections to Dublin & Cork and a good National & Regional Bus service, access to Killarney is relatively easy. The geographic centre of Ireland Southwest and blessed with a superb hospitality resource, Killarney is the ideal base from which to tour the Killarney Valley and the renowned Atlantic regions of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Beara Peninsula & West Cork.

Great Outdoors

With freedom to roam the National Park, it is said that in the Killarney Valley and the surrounding area, you can easily do a different walk every day of the year without re-tracing your steps. It may be slight exaggeration - come and prove us right. Also you can Climb Ireland's Highest Mountains, Orienteer, Cycle, Fish(Sea, River & Lake), Boat, and much, much more.