Visiting Killarney National Park in One Day

Killarney National Park is bursting with amazing places to visit, and it is often included in a visit to the ring of Kerry. During our trip to Ireland, we planned on experiencing many of the epic drives, so we had to get picky. We decided not to include the Ring of Kerry, but we did want to see many of the sites within Killarney National Park. So, our decision was to focus on those sites in and around the national park only.
County Kerry is a popular spot, calling many visitors to stop for a while. From lovely towns, the famous ring or Killarney National Park, there is something calling for inclusion in an itinerary.
In this blog, we will share our one-day Killarney National Park itinerary. The stops we made and some details to help you decide how to enjoy this beautifully enchanting part of Ireland. We will focus on the activities we did and include a few notable mentions at the end of the post.

The Emerald Isle is what Ireland is often called, and much of County Kerry holds up to that name. County Kerry is lush, green and ready to enchant. Suppose you are looking for moss-covered trees and ancient buildings bursting with history or towns full of places to eat, drink and grab a unique souvenir. In that case, county Kerry will tick your boxes. Killarney National Park definitely ticks the Emerald Isle box and many more.

Menu

Quick overview of Killarney National Park

Black Valley and the Gap of Dunloe

Walking around Ross Castle

Muckross Abbey Absolutely Stunning

Torc Waterfall, majestic beauty in Killarney National Park

Ladies View Lookout and Restaurant.

Tips for getting the most out of your day in Killarney National Park

Other Stops to Consider in County Kerry

Quick overview of Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is a large park right on the doorstep of the town of Killarney.

Did you know:

Killarney National Park was the very first National Park in Ireland in 1932, and in 1981 became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Access to most areas of the park is free, and driving could be the most convenient choice, although we will look at a few other options later in the blog.

The Weather 

Summer is when you get the best weather, but also large crowds. Spring and autumn are pleasant, and the numbers will be lower, and winter numbers will be low, but so will daylight hours and the temps. We travelled in April, and the days were long, but we had a mix of wet, cold days and clear days that still needed an extra layer.

The Average temperatures in January and February are between 4–7°C (39–45°F), and in the warmest months, July and August, see averages between 14–16°C (57–61°F), occasionally reaching as high as 25°C (77°F).

Here is the YouTube link to our companion video

 

Black Valley and the Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is impressive, so we drove the gap. It is often said that you should not drive the gap, especially in the middle of the day. Unfortunately, we started the drive later in the day than expected, but we took our time and kept aware of what was coming. Black Valley was stunning and unexpected. Black Valley is the 30km road from Moll’s Gap lookout to the Gap of Dunloe. The day we drove The Gap was very moody, wet, cold and a little misty, but still striking.
When driving the Gap, there are a few things to consider. If you are going to drive, you are advised before 10 a.m. or after the pony and traps stop running in the evening. The road through the gap is tight and narrow; you will share this sealed track with cars and walkers, cyclists, and pony & traps. Plenty of waylays exist, but you need to be on your guard. Even though we did the drive after 10, we only encountered one trap, and it was near the parking area where they leave from. I think the weather played a role in the low traffic.
We started our journey at Moll’s Gap and finished at Kate Kearneys Cottage and the carpark. There are many spots here, and you can walk or catch a Horse and trap. Driving in the opposite direction meant that we were going against the flow, so we had to keep our eyes open and try to be the ones to give way.

Tips to Visiting the Gap of Dunloe

The carpark at Kate Kearney’s cottage is located just 20 minutes from Killarney, and the parking and toilets are free.

Walking from Kate Kearney’s cottage to Lord Brandon’s cottage takes around 5 hours for the return trip. It is there and back on the same route. This walk crosses quaint bridges, crossing lakes and streams, stunning creation and enchanting ruins. You may choose to walk the 40-minute return to the Wishing Bridge, the first Bridge of the walk.

If you want to take a Pony and trap, you can get them from behind Kate Kearney’s cottage or Lord Brandon’s cottage. The ride is around 12 km round trip, taking in amazing vistas of rolling hills, 5 stunning lakes and thrilling narrow winding roads. There is a fee for the pony and trap, but I could not find an up-to-date price. I think you can expect to pay around 30 euros per person.

Stopping at the Coffee Pot and Kate Kearny’s House

I mentioned that we did the lap in reverse to the majority, and we ended at Kate Kearneys’ cottage and carpark. Along with Kate Kearney’s cottage, there is the Coffee Pot, another Cafe. We enjoyed a lovely brunch out of the weather and in the warmth, which we needed on our cold April morning.

There is a large carpark, toilets and, of course, a place to get the horse and trap at Kate Kearny’s.

If You are looking for a short walk, you can do a return trip to the Wishing Bridge, a 30-minute walk. The Wishing Bridge is a stone-arched bridge that spans the river between Coosaun Lough and Black Lake. There was also a coffee van set near the bridge the day we visited. It would be a great place to get a warm drink for the rest of your journey.

Walking around Ross Castle

Our next stop was Ross Castle. You can do a guided tour of the castle, but we just missed one and would have had to wait another hour for the next one, so we did not end up doing the 45-minute tour.

Ross Castle is a 15th-century tower house and keep on the edge of Lough Leane. It is the ancestral home of the Chiefs of the Clan O’Donoghue. The grounds are lovely, and there is a small free exhibit in a room next to the ticket desk. Visiting the exhibit gives you some history and interesting facts.

You are able to explore the grounds and the grounds of the castle for free. The only way to enter the interior of the castle is with a paid tour. Ross Castle is in a beautiful setting, and if the weather was better, it would be a great place to enjoy a picnic or a paddle boat on the lake.

From the castle, you are able to hire Jaunting cars to tour the National Park, get on Lough Leane on a water bus, or walk the trails to some of the other sites nearby.

There is a free Carpark and toilets on site.

Adult: €5.00 for castle entrance and tour

Ross Castle, Ross Road,
Killarney,
Co. Kerry
V93 V304

Muckross Abbey Absolutely Stunning

This was our favourite stop of the day. I was excited about visiting this sight, but it was way more enchanting and fun to explore than we expected.

Muckross Abbey was founded in 1448 as a Franciscan friary. It has had a violent history and has been damaged and reconstructed many times. One of those dark events was during Cromwell’s invasion in the 1650’s, resulting in the monks leaving for good.

Muckross Abbey is known for the Majestic Yew tree that takes pride of place in the centre of the Abbey. It is believed the tree is as old as the abbey, making it over 650 years old. It may have been the Yew tree that drew us to this place, but once we got there, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the rest of the abbey. You are free to explore the whole ruin, and it is fascinating and bigger than expected.

Entry is free and is open year-round.

Muckross, Co. Kerry, Ireland

There is a short walk through a field on a well-trodden path from the carpark to the abbey. Allow at least an hour to visit this spot.

Torc Waterfall, majestic beauty in Killarney National Park

This was a place where I really felt as though I was in an emerald fairyland. It was the place where the weather really enhanced the majesty of the surroundings; the wet, moody day helped the moss and leaves pop and take on a deeper vibrancy.

Torc waterfall lies at the base of Torc Mountain. It is a 70 feet high drop and is fed by the Owengarriff River.

In Gaelic, Torc means wild boar; it is rumoured that the waterfall was created by a man who had been cursed by the Devil to spend each night transformed into a wild boar, and he lived in a cavern nearby.

The walk from the car park to the falls takes you past a babbling river, moss-covered trees and rocks, all creating a mystical, enchanting environment. A really pretty gradual, easy climb.

 Torc, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Free to access

Carpark and toilets available

Ladies View Lookout and Restaurant.

Our last stop was Ladies View Lookout. It was between Torc Waterfall and here that we noticed an increase in traffic on the road, particularly going in the opposite direction to us. Many tours and itineraries blend the ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park into one day, and we attributed this to the increase in traffic.

In 1861, during a visit of Queen Victoria to the area, her ladies-in-waiting were brought to this spot and were so enchanted by it that the viewpoint was named in their honour.

Today, this viewpoint is home to a viewpoint and Restaurant and shop. We had a light lunch here; it was busy but efficient and warm. There is a rooftop terrace that, in better weather, would be a great place to sit and take in the view as you ate.

Parking and Toilets available

Derrycunihy, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 X376, Ireland

Tips for getting the most out of your day in Killarney National Park

As I said at the start, we were very selective about the places we visited around Killarney National Park and probably did not stop by places some of you would consider must-sees, and that is perfectly fine.

I have heard it said, “You can’t see it all in one day, so plan to come back.” it was Rick Steves whom I first heard this quote from, and it has now become a strong travel mantra for us in the planning and executing of our trips. I try to underplan with room to breathe and have a few other options to add on if time and energy allow.

If you are visiting the area on your own, take the time to decide what you want to see, and check the weather and hours of daylight you will have during your visit. When researching a destination, there is very often more to see than you can fit in or like us, you may decide on something similar in other places. Dropping the Ring of Kerry was more about avoiding the busy roads than not wanting to see the sights, so we decided to drive the Ring of Beara instead. Interested in knowing more about the Ring of Beara? Check out our Blog and Video.

The roads are pretty good and two-way, except, of course, the Gap of Dunloe.

Most places require some walking to get to the site.

Map out your day in a way that makes it easy to go from one site to the next.

Most places are free to visit, with a few interior visits costing an entrance fee.

Have layers on hand, including wet weather gear.

Other places to consider in the National Park or close to the above sights.

Muckross House – A stylish mansion dating back to 1843, this 65-room Tudor-style house was also famed for links to the Royal visit of Queen Victoria in 1861. the gardens are a wonderful place to wander on a beautiful summer day. You will also find a visitor centre here, and for 9 Euros, you can tour the interior of the house. The grounds are free to enjoy.

Visit Dinis Cottage– Built as a hunting lodge in the 1700s. Today, it is a cafe and the place to start your walk to the Old Weir Bridge and the Meeting of the Waters. The Old Weir Bridge dates back to the 1500s and is located at the Meeting of the Waters, where Upper Lake, Muckross Lake and Lough Leane meet.

The historic Castlelough Castle overlooks Lough Leane, Killarney’s Lower Lake. It is believed the Anglo-Norman De Roches built the castle in the 12th or 13th century.

Ways to get around Killarney National Park

We drove the day we explored, but this is not the only way to see this amazing area.

Jaunting Cars: You can pick up a Jaunting car at most sites and in Killarney, and they offer tours that take you past many of the main sites and stop[ for you to enjoy a visit.

Walk/hike: There are many great walks in Killarney National Park, ranging from short and sweet to long and a little bit tricky.

Cycle: You can hire Bikes from Killarney

Take a Boat Tour: Why not hope on an open boat trip at The Old Boat House near Muckross House? Open and covered boat trips are also available from Ross Castle.

Horse Riding: Three horse riding companies operate in the National Park. They use Muckross Forest and the area around Knockreer.

 

Other Palce to Consider in County Kerry

It is advised to stay a few days in the area to make the most of this magnificent area, and here are a few other options to help you fill a longer stay.

We stayed two nights at a farm stay outside of the pretty town of Kenmare: we chose this spot because our first night was after we had explored the Beara Penisula. 

Kenmare

As I said, we based our trip just out of this town and were really glad we did. Apart from the distance to the Ring of Beara, we also were hoping for a base that was not too busy and picking a smaller town was the right move for us.

Kenmare is a great town with plenty of dining options and plenty of pubs offering trad music. We enjoyed dinner at P.F. McCarthy’s pub, and at the suggestion of our BnB host, we had dinner at Boxed, a pizza place. Kenmare is known to have more restaurants than pubs, but you are not short on choice of either.

 The streets of Kenmare are easy to walk, and just three minute’s walk out of the centre of town, you will find the Kenmare Stone Circle. The Stone Circle dates to the bronze age and consists of 15 stones. Also on the site is the Hawthorn Fairy tree; Celts believed fairies lived under them, and you could not remove them. Today, you can leave a wish.

Want to see if Kenmare will make your Itinerary? Here is our Video of that pretty little town.

The Ring of Kerry

As I have already said, often Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry are bundled into the same itinerary, and it has been tackled on the same day. I think they deserve their own days to have time to take in where you are visiting and adjust as needed.

To drive the ring, you are looking at 179 km and 3 hours without stopping; I have seen it suggested to allow stops and sightseeing allow 10-11 hours. It is recommended that drive in an anticlockwise direction; you will be sharing the road with buses and loads of other drivers. The road is narrow, and passing can be a pain. If you do plan on driving it in a day, try and get ahead of the bilk of the busses by leaving earlier in the day and enjoying some of the sites with smaller crowds.

What is The Ring of Kerry famous for?

Stunningly dramatic views are the obvious answer, but let’s not forget about the quaint town, historic sites and the gateway to The Skellig Islands, consisting of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig and Valentia Island. Some towns worth noting are Sneem, Waterville, a place Charlie Chaplin loved visiting, Portmagee, and Cahersiveen, which is the gateway to Skellig Island and Valentia Island.

The Kerry cliffs may not be a popular as the cliffs of Moher, but many say they exceed them in many ways, making them a must on your loop around. The Cliffs can be found on the Skellig ring, an extension to the ring, but by all accounts worthy of being included.

Like much of this part of Ireland, the landscape is dotted with Bronze Age structures, worth noting Cahergall Fort and Leacanabuaile and Staigue Forts.

Derrynane Bay overflows with great places to visit, including Blue Flag Beach, nature trails, ancient Ogham Stone, and the well-preserved Derrynane House.

Killarney

Popular as a base for exploring the region, Killarney is a town bursting with Shopping, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Killarney town is only minutes from the national park and can be a great place to pick up bikes, haunting cars or any other supply you might need for a day of exploring.

We are so glad we included Killarney Nation Park in our Ireland trip. Our favourite stop was, hands down, Muckross Abbey, and Phil and I spent ages exploring.

This trip was just a small part of our trip to Ireland. Looking to discover more? Check out our Dublin,  Wicklow Mountains and Beara Peninsula blogs.

Have you ever been to Killarney National Park?

What did we miss you consider a must-see?

If you want to see our day, why not check out our Video?