24 HOURS IN KILLARNEY

Killarney is a beautiful town in County Kerry, and the official start of the Ring of Kerry route (although you can of course join the route at whatever point you would like). Killarney is one of my favorite towns in Ireland, due to its charming streets, incredible restaurants, scenic architecture, and notable sites like Muckross House and Ross Castle. Here is how I would spend 24 hours in this wonderful town:

Start your day by checking into Cahernane House Hotel. You will see a sign for the hotel from the main road, and once you turn off the paved path, you will follow a long dirt road, lush with greenery on either side. At the end of the route, you will be rewarded with the view of a stunning 19th century country manor, perched on the edge of Killarney National Park. The hotel is just far enough away from the bustle of the town centre while still being completely close enough to the heart of Killarney by foot (or by bike if you grab one of the hotel’s bikes parked out front!) Please note that if you would like to stay closer to the center of town, there is a shocking abundance of hotels that line the road leading into Killarney.

From Cahernane House Hotel, drive to Ross Castle, a 15th century tower house said to have been built by Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór. Legend has it that he still sleeps under the waters of Lough Leane, the lake that Ross Castle looks out over. If this story doesn’t scare you off, you can sail around Lough Leane on a boat cruise that leaves from Ross Castle!

Next, head into town to see St. Mary’s Cathedral, which serves as the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Kerry. The well-known architect Augustus Pugin, who worked on the Palace of Westminster, designed this Gothic-style cathedral. Then walk over to Caragh Restaurant & Lounge Bar for some typical bar food (CJ loved the shepherd’s pie). After lunch, walk around the charming town of Killarney and take in the sights! For me, this is hunting for Aran sweaters, and Quills Woolen Market and the famous Aran Sweater Market are both in town for all your cozy sweater needs.

Then drive over to Muckross House & Gardens and spend the remainder of the afternoon here. This place has a LOT to offer, but what we liked the most was the Muckross Traditional Farms that allow you to go back in time to the 1930s and 1940s to envision how life was like on working farms. End the day at Bricín Restaurant and Boxty House or Harrow Restaurant for dinner. Bricín serves boxty, a traditional Irish pancake, and it is delicious (I also love their sticky toffee pudding). If you wind up going to Harrow, still consider stopping off at Bricín’s craft shop just next door to its restaurant (and down the street from Harrow) for some unique Irish souvenirs.

Not only is Killarney a wonderful place to visit in and of itself, it is also a fantastic stop on the Ring of Kerry. For more information on my must-see destinations on the Ring of Kerry, click here, as so many places can be day trips from Killarney!

KILLRUDDERY HOUSE & GARDENS

RING OF KERRY MUST SEES