Although Killarney is one of Ireland’s top holiday destinations, many choose Killarney for a quick visit. It is easily accessible from most Irish towns so it is an ideal choice for a weekend break or an over night stay. Most of the top attractions are close together so if you happen to spend 24 hours in Killarney, you will be surprised at how many of the highlights you can see. We believe you can see all this in just 24 hours......
Killarney National Park, Muckross House and Gardens & Torc Waterfall.
Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Abbey and Torc Waterfall are all in the Killarney National Park. You can choose to walk between them or take one of the many jaunting carts available. If you are short on time, you can visit Muckross House and Gardens without actually taking a tour of the house. The grounds are worth the visit alone and the views of the lake are superb. There is a small man made beach and lots of delightful walking trails. Why not have a quick lunch in the Garden Restaurant while you are there, and take in the views. From Muckross House make your way to Torc Waterfall which is only about 3Km away. The waterfall is located only 200 meters from the road so this is another attraction that can be seen very easily. If you are taking a jaunting cart you can ask your driver to wait for you while you make the short walk to the waterfall. You can also choose to climb the steep steps beside Torc Waterfall, for some stunning views of the lake.
Ross Castle and boat trip on Killarney lakes.
No trip to Killarney would be complete without a trip on Killarney Lakes, and Ross Castle is the best place to do this. There are many options to choose from, a relaxing cruise on an enclosed waterbus is ideal if the weather is cool, but in the Summer time, I suggest you take a small open boat or even try kayaking. Ask your captain to stop off in Innisfallen island and see the ruins of the old Monastery and maybe some resident red deer. Ross castle is open from April to October with a 45 minute guided tour, however if you are short on time, just opt for a stroll around the grounds instead.
Killarney Town
Killarney town is a bustling, colourful town with tons of character. There are many local craft and souvenir shops that make it ideal for a leisurely stroll. Stop by the impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 1800’s, and finish off with a stop in one of Killarney’s many pubs. The Danny Mann and O'Connor’s offer great music sessions and typical Irish pub grub, this is an ideal way to round off your 24 hours in Killarney.
If you have a car you may be tempted to venture to the Gap of Dunloe and see the famous Ladies View. However if you only have 24 hours in Killarney, I suggest you come back and do that another time. Alternatively the Castlerosse Hotel has great deals for two night stays, why not extend your visit? The Gap of Dunloe is not something that should be rushed....