Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park covers 26,000 acres southwest of Killarney town in County Kerry. Established in 1932 as Ireland’s first national park, it includes three glacial lakes called the Lakes of Killarney, the 15th-century Ross Castle, and the Victorian-era Muckross House. Oak forests here shelter Ireland’s last native red deer herd, with the McGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range forming the park’s western boundary. UNESCO designated it a Biosphere Reserve for balancing nature protection with visitor access through trails, boat trips, and maintained historical sites.

Visiting Muckross House, Ross Castle, and Torc Waterfall

Muckross House, a Victorian mansion built in 1843, sits beside Muckross Lake. Join guided tours to see original furniture and decor from the 19th century. Outside, explore six distinct gardens including a rock garden filled with alpine plants and a sunken garden framed by azaleas. A short walk leads to the Traditional Farm, where costumed staff demonstrate butter-churning and blacksmithing techniques from 1930s rural Ireland. Ross Castle, a stone tower house on Lough Leane’s edge, lets you climb narrow staircases to see weapon displays and panoramic lake views. Follow a 300-meter trail through mossy woods to reach Torc Waterfall, where the Owengarriff River drops 20 meters over jagged rocks.

Trails for Hiking and Biking

Start at Killarney House to walk the 5-kilometer Knockreer Loop, which crosses open fields and skirts beech woodlands with glimpses of Lough Leane. For a challenging hike, take the 7-kilometer Torc Mountain Trail: climb stone steps through oak forests, pass the waterfall, and ascend to 535 meters for views of the lakes below. Rent a bike in Killarney town to pedal the 16-kilometer Muckross Peninsula Loop, a paved route passing Abbey Island and Bricklieve Bay. On Ross Island, follow the 2-kilometer Mining Trail past Bronze Age copper mines marked by weathered stone tools and collapsed tunnels.

Animals, Forests, and Lakes

Look for red deer grazing on upland slopes, particularly at dawn near Tomies Mountain. The park’s ancient oak woods contain rare strawberry trees with peeling red bark and small edible fruits. Watch for white-tailed eagles circling Lough Leane—these birds, reintroduced in 2007, dive for trout near Innisfallen Island. Otters hunt along the Flesk River, while salmon leap upstream during autumn spawning season. The three connected lakes—Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake—were carved by glaciers and now reflect the surrounding peaks.

Monasteries, Mines, and Conservation Work

Muckross Abbey, founded in 1448, still has intact cloisters surrounding a central yew tree said to be 500 years old. Archaeologists have found Bronze Age hammer stones and fire pits at Ross Island’s copper mines, which supplied metal for early metalworkers. Park rangers track deer numbers using camera traps and remove invasive rhododendron plants threatening native trees. The visitor center at Killarney House explains these efforts through maps and videos, with staff available to answer questions.

Planning Your Visit

Start at Killarney House to pick up trail maps or join free guided walks at 10:30 AM daily from June to September. Park at Muckross Abbey’s lot for quick access to the abbey ruins, or use the larger lot near Muckross House for gardens and farms. Keep dogs on leashes to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds like skylarks. Swim only at designated spots like Dundag Beach on Muckross Lake, where lifeguards patrol in summer. Horse-drawn carriages called jaunting cars operate between Ross Castle and Muckross House from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Transportation and Tours

Walk 15 minutes west from Killarney’s train station to reach the park entrance near Knockreer House. Rent bikes at O’Sullivan’s Cycles on College Street to explore trails independently. Take the seasonal park shuttle bus linking Ross Castle, Muckross Gardens, and Torc Waterfall every 45 minutes. Book a boat tour at Ross Castle’s dock to visit Innisfallen Island, where you can walk around the ruins of a monastery founded in 640 CE. Avoid driving narrow park roads—most sights cluster near walking paths or shuttle stops.