Things To Do
Whether it's embarking on exhilarating hikes, exploring hidden waterfalls, and soaking in the breathtaking scenery, there is something for everyone.
Explore Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, and for good reason. The park is home to stunning lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and forests. You can hike, bike, boat, or take a jaunting car through the park.
See Muckross House and Gardens
Muckross House is a 19th-century Victorian mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. You can tour the house and gardens, or take a jaunting car ride through the estate.
Visit Ross Castle
Ross Castle is a 15th-century castle located on the shores of Lough Leane. You can take a guided tour of the castle, or simply enjoy the views from the grounds.
Climb Torc Mountain
Torc Mountain is a challenging hike, but the views from the top are worth it.
Ring of Kerry, Ireland
The Ring of Kerry is a 179-km (111-mi) scenic driving route around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland's County Kerry. It's known for its stunning coastal landscapes, dramatic mountains, quaint villages, and historical sites. The Ring of Kerry starts and finishes in the town of Killarney, and the route takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.
Some of the highlights of the Ring of Kerry include: Killorglin, host of the famous Puck Fair, Skellig Michael, Derrynane Bay and Molls Gap.
The Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula, also known as Corca Dhuibhne, is a beautiful finger of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from County Kerry in southwest Ireland. It's known for its stunning scenery, including dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and rolling hills. The peninsula is also home to a rich Gaelic culture and heritage, with many traditional Irish pubs, music, and dance. The Dingle Peninsula was once described by National Geographic as “the most beautiful place on earth”.
The Beara Peninsula
The Beara Peninsula is a rugged and beautiful peninsula located in southwest Ireland, in County Cork. It is known for its stunning scenery, including its long and varied coastline, two mountain ranges, and a number of passes. The peninsula is also home to a number of historical and archaeological sites, including the tallest Ogham stone in Europe.
Sliabh Luachra
Sliabh Luachra, meaning "mountain region of rushes" in Irish, is a beautiful region in County Kerry, Ireland. It's known for its traditional Irish music scene, rolling hills, and friendly locals. Here are some things you can do while visiting Sliabh Luachra:
- Sliabh Luachra is a hotbed of traditional Irish music, with many pubs hosting nightly sessions. You can listen to some of the best fiddlers, button accordion players, and uilleann pipers in Ireland in a cozy pub atmosphere.
- Sliabh Luachra is a great place to go for a hike or bike ride. There are many scenic trails in the area, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
- Sliabh Luachra has a rich history, with many ancient ring forts and dolmens scattered throughout the region. You can also visit the ruins of Kilmury Cathedral, a beautiful medieval church.
Duhallow Way
The Duhallow Way is a moderately difficult, multi-day walking trail in counties Cork and Kerry, Ireland. It is the first section of the longer Blackwater Way. Here's a summary of what you might find interesting about the Duhallow Way:
- Distance: 67km (42 miles)
- Time to complete: 2-3 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
The trail offers scenic views as it winds through mountains, forests, bogs, and glens. You'll also come across historical sites like standing stones and ancient burial grounds.
Shrone Lake
This short, manageable hill walk leads to Shrone Lake, part of the Duhallow Trail and a gateway to the Paps. Despite limited parking and a tricky-to-find starting point off the Mallow to Killarney road, the trail offers terrific scenery and high-quality paths.
Shrone
Shrone, or "an Cathair," is Europe's oldest inhabited stone ring fort, occupied until the 1950s. It served as a site for ancient fertility rites and is now a penitential station. The feast day of the Blessed Virgin is celebrated here on Mayday, and tradition says it was established by a sister of St. Gobnait in the 5th century.
The Paps
The Paps of Anu are two breast-shaped hills in the Derrynasaggart Mountains, named after the ancient mother goddess Anu. The eastern hill is 694 meters high, and the western is 690 meters. Each hill has a prehistoric cairn, with the eastern cairn being slightly larger. A line of stones, Na Fiacla, connects the two hills and is thought to be a processional route.
