Things to Do in Killarney: A Local's Guide to the Best of Kerry
If you've made it to Killarney, you've done something right. There's a reason people come here once and end up coming back year after year - and it's not just the mountains, the lakes, or the craic (though all three are hard to beat). It's the feeling of the place. Something about Killarney gets into you.
We're lucky enough to call this corner of Kerry home, and over the years we've pointed many of our guests in the right direction when it comes to getting the most out of their stay. So here's our honest, local guide to the best things to do in Killarney - from the iconic to the hidden gems that only the locals tend to know about.
1. Killarney National Park
You simply can't come to Killarney without spending time in the National Park. Ireland's oldest national park, it covers over 26,000 acres of ancient woodland, mountains, and three stunning lakes - Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and the Upper Lake. It's a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and once you step inside you'll understand why.
The good news for our guests at Applecroft House is that the park is only a short drive away. Pack comfortable shoes and head in at your own pace. You could spend a full day in there and barely scratch the surface.
Keep an eye out for the native red deer - they're the real residents of this place, and if you're quiet enough in the early morning, you'll spot them grazing in the woodland clearings.
2. Muckross House and Gardens
Set within the national park, Muckross House is a magnificent 19th-century Victorian mansion with a history that reads like a Kerry novel all on its own. Queen Victoria herself visited in 1861 - and the owner spent so much preparing for the visit that it nearly bankrupted the estate. That's Kerry hospitality taken to the extreme, right there.
The house tours are excellent, but honestly the gardens alone are worth the trip. There are also Traditional Farms nearby where you can step back into the rural Ireland of the 1930s and 40s - brilliant if you're travelling with children, or if you just appreciate a slower pace of life.
3. Torc Waterfall
About 7km from the town centre, Torc Waterfall is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. The waterfall tumbles about 20 metres over mossy rocks, surrounded by ancient oak woodland - it looks like something out of a fairytale. And the walk up to it is short and manageable for most people.
Here's a local secret: Torc is actually at its most spectacular after a bit of rain. So if the Kerry weather does what Kerry weather does, don't be too disheartened - head to Torc and let it put on a show for you.
4. Ross Castle
Standing right on the edge of Lough Leane, Ross Castle is one of the most striking sights in Killarney. Built in the 15th century by the O'Donoghue Mór clan, it has a legend attached - they say the chief's spirit sleeps beneath the lake and rises every seven years on May Day, riding a white horse across the water. We wouldn't like to say whether that's true or not, but we've certainly kept an eye out over the years.
You can take a guided tour of the castle, or simply walk the lakeside path and take in the view. There are also boat tours departing from Ross Castle if you'd like to see the lakes from the water - highly recommended on a clear day.
5. The Gap of Dunloe
This is one of those places that makes people go very quiet. The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass winding between the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountain, stretching about 11km and passing five small lakes along the way. The scenery is genuinely breathtaking - raw, wild, and completely unspoilt.
The classic way to do it is by jaunting car (the traditional horse-drawn carriage - more on those below) or by bicycle. The road is too narrow for tour buses, which is exactly what keeps it special. You can start at Kate Kearney's Cottage - a lovely old pub and restaurant - and finish at Lord Brandon's Cottage, where you can take a boat back across the lakes to Ross Castle. It makes for one of the finest days out in all of Ireland, honestly.
6. The Ring of Kerry
Killarney is the official starting point for the Ring of Kerry - the famous 179km circular drive around the Iveragh Peninsula. Rugged coastline, sweeping Atlantic views, charming villages, ancient stone forts, and some of the most dramatic road you'll ever drive. It's a full day and it's worth every minute.
A few tips from us: start early and drive it anti-clockwise (the tour buses go clockwise, so you'll avoid the worst of the traffic). Stop at Ladies View for the lake panorama - it was named after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, who were apparently just as taken with it as visitors are today. And if you get the chance, take the small detour onto the Skellig Ring - quieter than the main route, and absolutely stunning.
7. A Jaunting Car Ride
You'll hear the clip-clop of horse hooves all around Killarney town, and there's a good reason for that. Jaunting cars - traditional horse-drawn carriages with a jarvey (driver) who doubles as a local storyteller - are one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the national park and surrounding area. The jarveys know this land inside out and they'll entertain you with stories, folklore, and plenty of good-natured local wit.
It's the kind of experience that feels old-fashioned in the very best way. Do it at least once.
8. Killarney Town Itself
Killarney town is small, walkable, and full of life. The main street is lined with colourful shopfronts, brilliant restaurants, and pubs with live traditional music spilling out onto the street most evenings. Murphy's Ice Cream is a must - try the sea salt or the brown bread flavour. And if you're looking for a proper dinner, there's no shortage of options from hearty pub grub to some genuinely excellent seafood and steak restaurants.
From Applecroft House, the town is a leisurely 15-minute walk along a quiet road - close enough to enjoy, far enough away that you'll sleep peacefully.
9. Hiking Carrauntoohil
For the more adventurous among you: Carrauntoohil is Ireland's highest peak at 1,038 metres, and it's right on our doorstep. It's a serious hike - not for the faint-hearted or the unprepared - but the views from the summit on a clear day are the kind you remember for the rest of your life. We'd strongly recommend going with an experienced local guide if it's your first time, both for safety and for the stories you'll hear along the way.
10. Innisfallen Island
A little quieter and less visited than some of the bigger attractions, Innisfallen Island sits in Lough Leane and is home to the atmospheric ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, founded by monks back in 640 AD. The Annals of Innisfallen - one of Ireland's most important historical manuscripts - were written here over hundreds of years.
You can hire a rowing boat from beside Ross Castle to get across in the summer months. It's wonderfully peaceful, and the wild Sika deer that roam the island seem entirely unbothered by visitors.
Staying in Killarney: A Word from Us
At Applecroft House, we've been welcoming guests to Killarney for many years now, and nothing makes us happier than seeing people fall in love with our part of the world. Whether you're here for the walking, the scenery, the history, or simply to slow down and breathe clean Kerry air - we hope you have a wonderful time.
If you'd like any local recommendations during your stay - the best spot for lunch on the Ring of Kerry, where to hire a bike, or which pub has the best trad session on a given evening - just ask us over breakfast. That's what we're here for.
Applecroft House B&B is located on Woodlawn Road, Killarney - a peaceful 15-minute walk from the town centre, and right on the doorstep of some of the best scenery in Ireland.
Get in touch to check availability — we'd love to have you.
