Killarney National Park, with idyllic lakes and ancient woodlands backed by the serrated MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, is an area of stunning natural beauty.
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The park is also historically significant, with two heritage buildings on-site: Ross Castle, a 15th-century fortress-turned-hotel, and Muckross House, a stately Victorian estate.
Covering around 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares), Killarney National Park is truly vast. Organized day tours can help ensure you get to see all the best parts of Ireland’s first national park. Choose between short 1- or 2-hour tours by jaunting car (a two-wheeled horse and carriage), guided walks, or boat cruises and kayak tours on the lakes of Killarney. Day tours depart from Killarney and Limerick, and include stops at key park attractions such as the Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House, Ross Castle, and the Ladies View scenic lookout. Some full-day tours combine Killarney National Park with the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Mizen Head. Multi-day tours depart from Dublin and incorporate sights in Cork, Kerry, and—during longer tours—the west coast of Ireland.