Explore Killarney – Stories Written in Stone, Water & Light 

Exterior view of the Reserve Apartments at Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney

Forest, folklore, and the grace of the lakes

Explore Killarney from Muckross Park

Victorian mansions, glacial valleys, island monasteries, let the landscape guide your days, while Muckross Park Hotel & Spa frames every return in quiet luxury.
Killarney is a living gallery, 25,000 acres of lake and mountain, monasteries and mansions, bridges and whispered legends. From our doorstep at Muckross Park Hotel & Spa, step into scenes that feel both timeless and thrillingly close: a waterfall’s hush, a valley carved by ice, a boat lane through mirror-still water. This is exploration made effortless, with storytelling, soul, and our concierge as your compass.

Begin your journey

Muckross House & Gardens

A Victorian masterpiece by the lake.

Nineteenth-century elegance meets world-famous gardens at Muckross House, overlooking Muckross Lake. Join a guided tour through sixty-five rooms of craft and history, pause for coffee in the café, then wander rhododendron paths and yew-shadowed lawns

  • Nearby highlight: Torc Waterfall, towering and storied, where legends of Fionn MacCumhaill meet the music of falling water. Red deer are often seen at dawn and dusk.

Gap of Dunloe

A glacial valley of myth and granite

Old red sandstone, heathered slopes, and crags stitched with horizontal cracks make the Gap of Dunloe one of Ireland’s most dramatic climbing and walking landscapes.

  • Classic day out: Transfer to Kate Kearney’s Cottage, walk the world-famous valley, then boat through the Three Lakes of Killarney with a guide who threads folklore through every bend.

Killarney National Park

25,000 acres of pure wonder

Founded in 1932, Killarney National Park protects lakes, mountains, and ancient woodland, home to Ireland’s indigenous red deer.

  • Jaunting Car Experience: Board at Muckross House and let a knowledgeable jarvey share local tales, pausing for photos with the MacGillycuddy Reeks as your backdrop.
  • Trails & Heritage: Wander estate paths and lake loops, or set out for Ross Castle, Knockreer, and Ross Island.
  • Attractions within the park: Dinis Cottage, Knockreer House & Demesne, Innisfallen Island, Ladies View, Moll’s Gap, The Meeting of the Waters, Old Weir Bridge, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall, O’Sullivan’s Cascade, Muckross House & Traditional Farms.
  • Guest tip: Complimentary bike hire with your stay makes exploration effortless.

Lakes of Killarney & Cruises

Three lakes, endless reflections

The famous trio, Muckross Lake, Upper Lake, and Lough Leane, gather at the foot of Ireland’s highest mountains. Experience their beauty by open-top boat, water bus, or traditional jaunting car loop around the shores. Family-friendly and unforgettable. Return to fireside cocktails

Ring of Kerry

Ireland’s great coastal circuit

A 179-km ribbon of ocean light and village colour, the Ring of Kerry begins and ends in Killarney. From Kenmare to Waterville, Sneem to Cahersiveen, the route reveals cliff roads, beaches, and the celebrated Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve – one of the world’s only Gold Tier night skies. On clear nights, the Milky Way and star clusters bloom in astonishing detail.

The Skelligs

Monks, sea-light, and the edge of the world

Off the Iveragh Peninsula rise the Skellig Islands, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, a UNESCO World Heritage site where early monks lived in stone beehive huts above the Atlantic. Today, seasonal boat landings (weather-dependent) and viewing cruises reveal puffins, sea cliffs, and cinematic vistas that captured the world’s imagination.

  • Travel note: Allow 1.5 hours by road to Portmagee for departures; sailing times and landing access vary by season and sea.

Ross Castle & Townside Trails

Castle stones and waterside pathways

Closer to town, Ross Castle stands watch on Lough Leane. Explore the keep, then follow gentle paths into Knockreer, Muckross, and Ross Island for easy walking with grand views, and frequent deer sightings.

Family-Friendly Highlights

Easy days, big memories

  • Lily of Killarney / Lake Tours: Relaxed cruises with storytelling skippers.
  • Traditional Farms (Muckross): Step into 1930s rural life and heritage crafts.
  • Jaunting Car Loops: One-hour circuits perfect for little legs and big smiles.

Concierge & Planning

From transfers and guides to cruise tickets and Ring of Kerry routes, our award-winning concierge makes exploring effortless.
Phone: +353 (0)64 662 3400
Email: concierge@muckrosspark.com

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