Killarney

Nature & adventure

Explore the mystical Ring of Kerry on a full-day guided tour from Cork. See the picturesque village of Waterville, Killarney National Park, panoramic views of Dingle Bay, and other famous areas of ancient Ireland. After meeting your guide, enjoy a scenic drive to one of Ireland's most colorful and charming villages. You will see two village squares and a beautiful bridge in the village center. Pass through Killorglin, the home of the ancient Celtic festival known as the Puck Fair.  Next, take in the amazing views of Dingle Bay, famous Inch Beach, and on a clear day, possibly even the Blasket Islands off the wild Atlantic coast. You will admire the picturesque little village of Waterville that sits overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay and the Skellig Rocks with their early Christian monastery. Charlie Chaplin loved Waterville and was a frequent visitor. See the statue in his honor, unveiled in 1998. Continue to the most beautiful and admired national park in Ireland, and take in the views of the Lakes of Killarney and the Black Valley during stops at Molls Gap and Leprechaun Crossing. Your next stop will be at the lovely 18-meter-high waterfall that cascades through the wooded Friar's Glenn and admires this site of natural beauty. Finally, take some time to relax in Killarney and grab some refreshments before departing for Cork.

Discover the lakes of Killarney on this scenic cruise. Enjoy a voyage to Lough Léin with panoramic views of the lakes, islands, and castles of Killarney National Park. Relax as you watch the sights pass by from your modern, heated, glass-covered boat, guided by your local captain and guide. Depart from 15th-century Ross Castle, as you make your way past some of Killarney's most famous landmarks. Drift past the ruins of St. Finian’s 6th-century monastery on Innisfallen Island. Continue to the foot of the MacGillycuddy Reeks to view Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. Pass Ross Island as your captain points out the flora of the area, including the ancient oak and yew forests and learn about the unique ecosystem of the area.

Spend the day in one of Europe’s finest coastal areas on a full-day tour of the Ring of Kerry. Travel in an air-conditioned coach and discover sweeping panoramic views, strolls around enchanting villages, and historic sights.  Depart Killarney in a spacious coach and drive to the Iveragh Peninsula, the official name for the Ring of Kerry. Get insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland from your guide along the way. See stone forts and standing stones in a breathtaking landscape. Drive through the home town of the Puck Fair, an ancient Celtic festival which is held in the charming town of Killorglin. Take in panoramic views of Dingle Bay and Inch Beach. Weather permitting, see the Atlantic waves crashing on the Blasket Islands.  Head to the picturesque village of Waterville which overlooks Ballinskelligs Bay. See the misty Skellig Rocks which are known for their early Christian monastery. Find out why there is a statue of Charlie Chaplin in the village.  Stop in the charming village of Sneem, one of Ireland's most colorful villages. Explore its 2 squares and a beautiful bridge where the River Sneem meets the currents of Kenmare Bay. Enter Killarney National Park. Admire magnificent views of the Lakes of Killarney and Black Valley from the stops at Molls Gap and Ladies View (Leprechaun Crossing). Marvel at the cascades of the Torc Waterfall in the woods of Friers Glenn.

Enjoy the sights of the world-famous Ring of Kerry. You’ll see breathtaking scenery like Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, experience Killarney National Park, stroll through the Kerry Bog Village, and more. The first thing you’ll see when leaving Killarney is the view over the McGillycuddy Reeks mountain range, with the famous Gap of Dunloe clearly visible, slicing into the mountain range. From there it’s on to the Kerry Bog Village, which offers fascinating insights into how people lived and worked in Ireland in the 18th century. We then travel through Caherciveen and as we are using a smaller coach we are able to drive on the spectacular 'Skellig Ring' on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean to stop at St Finian's Bay and Skellig Chocolates. This beautiful area offer uninterrupted and unrivalled views of the iconic Skellig islands. The next stop is the village of Waterville, where you can enjoy a walk along the seafront while taking in the charming surroundings. Majestic viewing points offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. This is where the coach will stop for free time for lunch and shopping. After this we stop at Coomakishta, a mountain-high viewpoint overlooking the ocean, islands and rural landscapes of South Kerry. Our next stop is a short break in the colourful village of Sneem before we return to Killarney through the rugged Moll's Gap and take in the beauty of Killarney National Park. Our final stop will be at Ladies View as it overlooks the National Park and the three Lakes of Killarney before we return to the town at approximately 5pm.

Arrive at the riding stables located just outside Killarney town and meet your horse riding guide and gear up for your ride. Your guide will lead the group following the riding trail into the Knockreer Estate north of Lough Lein, taking in the essence of Killarney National Park. Your trail will take you past Lough Lein, the largest of the three lakes in Killarney and across areas of stunning natural beauty. Expect amazing views of soaring mountains, and rolling hills with a unique ecosystem including numerous species of fauna and flora. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981, and forms part of a Special Area of Conservation.

Be transported back to 15th-century Ireland with stories of the legendary stronghold of the O’Donoghue Chieftains and the ancient Castle’s tragic fall to the Cromwellian Army on their conquest of Ireland, the legend of the Lake, and much more. Learn more about the nature of the Park as well as its famous wildlife inhabitants including the Irish Red Deer. Take this unique opportunity to capture those special holiday moments as your guide pauses at some of Killarney’s most dramatic scenic locations before reaching the shores of Ross Castle, where you will be invited to explore the grounds of the 15th-century stronghold with breathtaking views across Lough Léin. And because your tour takes you through areas where no motor traffic is permitted, you can enjoy your jaunting ride in absolute paradise. As the tour comes to its end, you will be returned to the town center or your hotel with memories to last a lifetime.

Depart Killarney and make your way to Inch Beach to admire its 3-mile stretch of golden sand along the Atlantic Ocean. Get lovely views of the beach, known as a popular location site for movies including Ryan's Daughter and Playboy of the Western World. Continue to Slea Head, considered by many as one of the most beautiful peninsulas in the world. Travel the winding road through Gaelic-speaking Corca Dhuibhne, beginning at Ventry Beach. Pass the 4,000-year-old beehive huts as you drive to Dunquin and get stunning views of Blasket Island and the Sleeping Giant. Drive through the beautiful village of Ballyferriter, and then stop at the pretty fishing village of Dingle at the heart of the Dingle Peninsula. The charming village is celebrated for having the most pubs in Ireland for a town of its size and is also home to Fungi, an adult bottlenose dolphin that has been courting human contact since 1983! 

On this 10-hour excursion to the Dingle Peninsula from Cork, you’ll make your way towards County Kerry and the town of Killarney, starting out at 08:30. Stop in charming Killarney, and enjoy a bit of time to explore the town before continuing on to Dingle. Your drive takes you through the Cork and Kerry mountains and then along the most westerly route in Europe, known as the Slea Head drive. Take in views of the Atlantic coast as you travel on a road that hugs the shoreline. Enjoy views of the Blasket Islands on a clear day, and maybe even see the Sleeping Giant. Visit Inch Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Ireland, and a site of outstanding natural beauty. Weather permitting you may choose to dip your feet in the Atlantic! Inch Beach, like many on the west coast, is well known among surfers. It has also featured in many films such as Far and Away, and Ryan's Daughter. You’ll also make a stop in Dingle town, one of the most picturesque fishing villages in Ireland. Dingle town is the heart and soul of the peninsula, and attracts visitors from around the world, including artists and musicians. Head back over the mountains to Cork, with an expected arrival time of 18:30.

The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass situated between Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and Purple Mountain in County Kerry. It spans 11 kilometers from north to south and consists of 5 lakes. Take a guided tour through the narrow and winding path, and discover a terrain formed by glaciers. Marvel at the towering summits of the Reeks, the changing shadows on the Purple Mountains, and the silence and solitude of the rugged glen. After being transported by coach, arrive at the famous cottage marking the entrance to the Gap. The cottage is named after Kate Kearney who is reported to have died of childbirth here at the ripe old age of 102! An unlikely story! Embark on a 7-mile journey to Lord Brandon’s cottage by either trap, pony, or foot. There will be an opportunity to purchase lunch at Brandon Cottage. Afterwards board a boat to Ross Castle, traveling through the 3 of the 5 lakes of Killarney. Be enchanted by the stories and folklore of the boatmen. As the tour draws to a close you will be transported back to Killarney by motor coach.

The Ring of Kerry boasts some of the finest coastal scenery in Europe and provides insights into the ancient heritage of Ireland. See stone forts, standing stones, and a landscape carved out of rock by the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago. Your journey begins on the official Ring of Kerry driving route, where you’ll begin to see views of the famous mountains and lakes of Kerry. Pass through Killorglin, home to the ancient Celtic festival, when a goat is crowned king of the village. See the statue of King Puck as you cross the River Laune. As your drive continues, you’ll have amazing views of Dingle Bay. See the famed Inch Beach and you may even see the Blasket Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The picturesque little village of Waterville overlooks Ballinskelligs Bay, best known for the Skellig Rocks with their early Christian monastery. Charlie Chaplin loved Waterville and was a regular visitor. You’ll see a statue in his honor, unveiled in 1998. En route to Sneem you’ll make brief stops at some of the most famous viewing points in Ireland. Visit the colorful village before continuing on your Ring of Kerry route. Killarney National Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful national park in Ireland. Take in the magnificent views of the Lakes of Killarney and Black Valley during stops at Moll’s Gap and Ladies View. Torc Waterfall, 18 meters high, cascades through the wooded Friars Glenn. Enjoy a break here before continuing to Killarney. When you reach Killarney you’ll have time to relax and grab some refreshments before departing for Limerick, where you’ll arrive at around 7:30 PM.