Killarney: A Local’s Guide to Ireland’s Tourist Favourite

Although Killarney in Kerry has a population of less than 15,000, it attracts over 1 million tourists each year.

And there’s no real mystery why – Killarney Town is the traditional starting point for the mighty Ring of Kerry Drive!

But it’s much more than that – it’s is home to Killarney National Park, areas of immense natural beauty and some great pubs and restaurants, too!

What to know before visiting Killarney Town

Although a visit to Killarney is nice and straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

The town of Killarney is located in County Kerry in the south-west Ireland. It’s easily accessible by bus, train and plane (Kerry Airport is 13km away).

2. Size

Although you’ll hear some visitors refer to it as ‘Killarney City’, it is most definitely a town. In fact, with a population of 14,412 as per the 2022 census, it’s the second largest town in Ireland.

3. Why it’s famous

Killarney is famous thanks to its tourism heritage which spans to the 18th century when Lord Kenmare started a quest to attract visitors to the town. However, many argue that Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861 really put it on the map, so to speak. It is now the most popular of the Ring of Kerry towns.

Itineraries for Killarney

Regardless of whether its your first visit to Killarney or your fifth, I have an itinerary that’ll ensure that your visit is a memorable one.

You’ll find 3 different itineraries below, each of which has an option for those with a car and for those without:

• 1 day in Killarney
• 2 days in Killarney
• 3 days in Killarney

Where to stay in Killarney Town

It’s probably no surprise that many of the most popular Ring of Kerry hotels can be found amongst the hustle and bustle of Killarney.

The map above will give you a lay of the land – as you can see, some accommodation is inside the town while others are outside of it.

Although I have dedicated Killarney hotels and Killarney B&B guides, my go-to places to stay are:

• Budget: Kingdom Lodge (adjacent to the National Park) and Castle Lodge (charming B&B just outside the center)
• Mid-range: Killaran House (outstanding location in the heart of town) and Killarney Avenue (beside the park)
• Luxury: Muckross Park (prestigious 5-star hotel just outside town) and The Killarney Park (vintage charm near the train station)

Pubs in Killarney

There are some mighty pubs in Killarney where you can toast a day of exploring! Jimmy Brien’s is as traditional as they come — small, welcoming, and home to one of the best pints of Guinness in town.

O’Connor’s, celebrating over a century in business, is a proper old-school spot that’s always buzzing, with live music most nights and a classic interior.

If you fancy a drink somewhere with a real sense of history, Courtney’s Bar on Plunkett Street delivers with its bare wood interior and shelves of memorabilia.

Then there’s John M. Reidy’s, which started life as a sweet shop in the 1870s and still feels packed with charm and character!

Killarney restaurants

There’s a lot to like about Killarney’s food scene, with a mix of long-standing-dining-options and ‘newbies’ keeping the bellies of locals and tourists alike happy!

Cronins, Quinlans and Bricin are, in my opinion, 3 of the best places to eat in Killarney. If you fancy an early feed, hop into our guide to the best breakfast in Killarney.

Things to do in Killarney

I’ve a detailed guide on the many different things to do in Killarney, however, I’ll give you a quick overview of the main attractions.

The town makes a great base for a Kerry road trip (nearby Kenmare is another good option!) as it’s a stone’s throw from many of the best places to visit in Kerry:

• Ring of Kerry drive: 179km scenic loop with coastal views, mountain passes, and charming towns
• Ross Castle: 15th-century fortress on Lough Leane offering beautiful lake views
• Killarney National Park: Ireland’s oldest national park
• Torc Waterfall: A dramatic 20-metre-high cascade, especially impressive after rain
• Gap of Dunloe: A scenic mountain pass you can explore by bike, jaunty or on foot
• Ladies View: One of the best viewpoints in Kerry
• Moll’s Gap: Twisting mountain pass between Kenmare and Killarney
• Muckross House and Gardens: 19th-century mansion with manicured gardens near Muckross Abbey

The history of Killarney

The history of Killarney is a long and interesting one, spanning centuries with plenty of colourful tales and legends.

And, what better place to being, than with Innisfallen Island and its ancient Abbey that was founded in 640 by Saint Finian.

Innisfallen Island

It was on Innisfallen, a tiny island in Killarney’s Lower Lake, that St. Finian established a monastery that was inhabited for a staggering 950 years.

During 300 of these years, the monks of Innisfalled penned what we now know as the Annals of Innisfallen – a manuscript that details the history of pre-Christian Ireland between the years 433 and 1450.

The Anglo-Norman invasion

After the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland during the late 12th century, the Normans constructed a castle (Parkavonear) in Aghadoe on an elevated site overlooking the Lakes of Killarney.

The cylindrical castle is thought to have been built to provide the Normans with an early warning of incoming enemies.

Other ancient sites

Two of more significant ancient sites that still stand proudly in Killarney to this day are the impressive Ross Castle and the ruins of Muckross Abbey.

Ross Castle was built in the 15th century and it was home to a fierce Killarney clan called the O’Donoghues Mor (info below).

Muckross Abbey, although now in ruin, was founded around 1448. It’s a joy to explore and its courtyard has an ancient yew growing at its centre (info below).