Killarney National Park, Killarney

Killarney National Park covers over 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of mountain, moorland, woodland, waterways, parks and gardens, providing a living space for the wild life and vegetations like Ireland's only remaining wild herd of native Red Deer and the largest area of old-growth Oak woods left in the country. You see lakes, streams, birds, etc., really enjoy and appreciate the nature.

I'm glad that we took a Jaunting Car ride of the park. The driver was also a guide, and gave us some interesting information, also stopped where we wanted to take a closer look at the place.

1 more image

During the year, there is a motor rally around the lakes, if thats what you're into. The Lakes are part of the Killarney National park, however there have been pollution issues so dont go swimming there

4 more images

My grandson went on the tour of Muckross House without me. I decided not to go because they don't allow photos to be taken inside and while the house is furnished "in period style" that usually means that the furnishings are not original to the house.

Also I do not do well where I have to stand and listen to a guide talk. They assured us that there would be places to sit, but others who took the tour (which would take about 45 minutes) said that the only place to sit was right at the beginning.

My grandson said that they talked about when the Queen (Victoria I think) came to stay here for a couple of days.

We didn't pay for our admission - Matt our guide got the tickets for us. We probably got a group rate. But the 2007 Admission charges are:

Adult €5.75
Group / Senior Citizen €4.50
Child / Student €2.35
Children under six years of age are admitted free of charge.
Family €14.50 - two adults and a reasonable number (usually up to four) of their children aged eighteen years and under.

House and Gardens - open daily all year round (except the Christmas period) 9am - 5.30pm (9am - 6pm from July 1st - August 31st).

You haven't seen Killarney unless you've visited the massive national park. It's a truly scenic place. I reccomend doing some walking, hiring a bike or getting a boat. Muckross house and gardens are a nice place to have a picnic. You could spend a lot of time here and it's worth doing so.

When I was in Killarney I stayed in a hostel very close to the national park. It was quite an old building with the most cosy common room - they even had a log fire and a
3-legged cat!
Obviously I had to go and have a look in the national park

two best known places in national park are probably mucross house and ross castle. don't just leave it to that...

if you don't have much time in killarney and want to see the most of the national park - rent a bike...

if you get to the ross castle, don't think that this is the end of it - its only the beginning... ride even further to the park and you will find great palaces by the lake (lough leane) that are not crowded as castle area. and the views are even better... if you have more time bring a book or a friend and good time is guaranteed...

This is an enjoyable activity, but *make sure you get the drover to agree on a price before the start of the ride*. I'm not meaning to impugn the honesty of all the drovers, but it only takes one or two unpleasant transactions to damage the reputation of all of them.

The Gap of Dunloe! Wild and beautiful! and with lots of sheep running around :o) I went there in february and beside my two mates we were all alone! The scenery reminds me of "Lord of the rings"...

To get there we took a taxi from Killarney.

Visit Killarney National Park. Wander off in the beautiful forest and see Muckross Park plus the Gap of Dunloe right on its fringes.
Ireland has very few forests but this is one truly is a gem. Closeby are the lakes (pic) and hiking around the shores is wonderful.

Definitely spend some time strolling through the Killarney National Park if you're in the area. The sights are stunning! The very first part of the trail is way too touristy, and you need to watch out so as not to get overrun with horse-drawn jaunts that are everywhere. However, as soon as you reach the Torc waterfall, things change for the better, or should I say more natural.
One of the most beautiful places you'll see in Ireland. Be sure to really get into the park and away from the main paths. Climb the Torc mountain and take in the views from above, they're really something. Or walk the Kerry Way through the park to N70 and hitch a ride back to town.