Killarney is great family holiday destination, there is so much to see and do for all ages. From boat trips to jaunting carts, here are our top 5 things to do with kids in Killarney.
Take a trip on a jaunting cart.
This is a great way to see the Killarney National Park or Muckross House and Gardens. Kids will love meeting the friendly horses and listening to Irish stories from the driver. Most tours last about 45 minutes and cost approximately €40. They are surprisingly comfortable and are suitable at any time of year. On a wet day the canopy is raised and warm blankets provided, and in the Summer time you can see Killarney at its finest. Make sure to get the obligatory family photo too!
Visit Muckross House & Gardens
While the house may not be particularly child friendly, the Muckross Traditional Farms certainly are. They will bring you back to the Ireland of the 1930's when there was no electricity or running water. It is amazing to see how farmers managed with every day life. You can visit three separate working farms as well as a schoolhouse, blacksmiths forge and a carpenter's workshop. Children will be fascinated at how people lived without TV's and smart phones, let alone electricity! There is also a small petting zoo, a play area and a bouncy castle. Don't miss the secret beach down at the lake, where kids will play happily throwing stones into the water.
Take a boat trip on the lakes of Killarney.
Ross Castle provides the best starting point for lake activities. You can enjoy a relaxing cruise on one of the enclosed waterbuses or opt for a private trip on a small open boat. Older children might like to try one of the canoes, this is a great fun filled activity for all the family. Make sure to stop at Innisfallen Island which is home to a 6th century monastery. Kids will love exploring the old ruins and may even spot some of the resident red deer who live on the island.
Torc Waterfall.
Kids love waterfalls and Torc is one of Ireland’s finest. Located only 200 meters from the car park, this is a suitable walk, even for young children. You can also climb the steep steps to the top to see a spectacular view of Killarney. Torc Waterfall can be seen in a very short time so you can easily incorporate a visit into your day. You can even get a jaunting cart to stop here and the driver will wait for you, if you just want to pop in for a quick visit.
Rent bicycles
Killarney is a great place for a family cycle as there are excellent cycling tracks, particularly in the National Park. You can hire bikes from the Castlerosse Hotel and cycle directly to the National Park without having to cycle on the main road. They have child seats, tag along's and 2 seater buggys and all bikes are supplied with a helmet and lock. For families with older children you can choose to cycle the Gap of Dunloe, one of Killarney’s top attractions. Remember it is very hilly, so you might want to be collected by boat for the return journey.
There are lots more things to do with kids in Killarney, from fishing to horse riding, as well as some popular play centres. Kennedy's Pet Farm has a great variety of birds and animals as well as a playground while Kingdom Falconry can offer you the chance to get up close with many birds of prey.