Killarney & Ring of Kerry

Ireland's most classic scenery: the lakes and castles of Killarney National Park, jaunting cars through the Gap of Dunloe and a coastal drive around the Ring of Kerry.

Killarney, in County Kerry in south-west Ireland, is the country's most popular destination for nature lovers. The town sits right next to Killarney National Park, with its lakes, castles and oak woods, while to the south-west rise MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains. The climate is mild and rainy, rarely dropping below 0°C or rising above 25°C year-round; May–Sep has the longest days and all attractions open, making it the best time to visit, while in winter many facilities close or shorten their hours. There are three main areas: first, the national park – Ross Castle, Muckross House and Torc Waterfall, and the Gap of Dunloe, which you can cycle or cross by jaunting car; second, the roughly 179 km Ring of Kerry, linking Rossbeigh Beach, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Sneem, Kenmare and Ladies' View; and third, the Skellig Ring extending to the west, including Portmagee, Valentia Island, the Kerry Cliffs and the Skellig Michael World Heritage Site. Getting there: trains from Dublin take about 3.5 hours (usually changing at Mallow), or about 4 hours by car; the nearest airport is Kerry Airport, about 15 minutes away. Allow 3–4 days, including one day driving the Ring of Kerry. Ireland drives on the left and the Ring's roads are narrow and winding; tour coaches travel anticlockwise, so drivers are advised to go clockwise. Boat tickets to Skellig Michael need to be booked months in advance.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries