Free Things to Do in Killarney
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Killarney
Best Free Things to Do in Killarney
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What travellers are saying
- Rebecca R43 contributionsKillarney was our second stop on our driving tour of Ireland. We stayed at the Victoria House ( Highly recommend) which is directly across the street from the park. I only allowed 1 day for the park, but really needed 2-3 days to explore the park. We hiked and saw wildlife and lovely scenery and toured Muckross House and the working farm. There was a small admission fee for self guided touring and ample parking. We never made it to Ross Castle or Weir Bridge, due to time - but both had areas to park if you are not able or don’t have time to walk to each.Written 24 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- D PWellington, New Zealand6,667 contributionsSo the drive up and over the Gap of Dunloe is very narrow, very twisting and very beautiful if you go over it in a clockwise direction.
This means you start at Molls Gap and end your trip at Kate Kearneys cottage.
By doing the trip this way round you will benefit hugely in a couple of ways.
1. You won’t get stuck behind one of the many horse and carts coming up from Kate Kearney’s cottage - and they have right of way by law so they like to take their time.
2. Because the horse and cart people want you to buy a ride they purposely block the road at Kate Kearney’s end and will even go to lengths to tell you that it’s not drivable in order to get your business- and when you’re at that end it doesn’t look like they’re lying so many a tourist is fleeced here!!
3. All walkers ( and there are lots) all get dropped off at Kate Kearney’s end so you will also get stuck behind them and all the coaches that they arrive in as coaches can not get through the pass!
4. The best views are looking down as you drive over the top on the pass, so if you go the other way you’ll only see either the rear end of a horse, the back of the walkers or the hill in front and not the stunning views, unless you keep looking in your rear view mirror!!
Also the Black Valley that you start driving through as you descend into the valley from Mollys Gap is really quiet and very beautiful.
Safe driving!!Written 2 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - D PWellington, New Zealand6,667 contributionsWe were her during storm Agnes so the falls we’re running high and they were pretty spectacular.
It’s a nice short walk up through the cover of trees to see the falls from the roadside car park.
Well worth the short walk and there is even a toilet here if you need one.Written 2 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - D PWellington, New Zealand6,667 contributionsMega view I bet on a clear day. What we could see between the rapidly moving stormm clouds of Agnes was pretty amazing! For a brief moment we could see islands in the water and stunning rolling hills. Would definitely like to try again on a finer day!!Written 2 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- D PWellington, New Zealand6,667 contributionsThis is a must do!!
This place is fantastic for everyone including the kids although keep an eye on them as you can go up stone staircases to look down from the ruined Abbey walls. There is so much to take in, dark creepy vault like rooms, alters, glassleas windows, clusters and an amazing tree that grows up through the middle of the whole building.
Then there is the beautiful old graveyard with all its ornate headstones.
I spent 2 hours here just before sunset taking some photos as it’s a photographer dream place and even better still it’s free!!
This is the best ruined site I e been too whilst being in Ireland and believe me there are a lot of ruins here!!!!Written 2 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jim WSchonaich, Germany2,792 contributionsMy wife and I spent a couple of days loving every bit about Killarney. We had a busy schedule, but we made sure to stop in here on our way out of town. While it is not the most amazing European Cathedral, it does have one of the most beautiful baptistries I have ever seen. The tiles are spectacular. The stain glass windows are elegant and not overdone. The altar is also very lovely, setting the eight mood for worshipping. Do not leave the city of Killarney without a stop in here to praise God and give Him thanks.Written 30 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dave BDurham, CT33 contributionsWhat an amazing experience!!! We are in our mid-60's and are fairly active for our age. We did a fair amount of training to prepare ourselves for this hike - we did 7 days - Killarney to Sneem - and our tour was arranged with Wonderful Ireland. I cannot say enough good about this tour company. They are extremely detailed in communication, execution, follow through, and we stayed at the best possible locations at each stop. They moved our luggage to each stop and saw that our daily hosts provided us with a box lunch. emergency cell phone, detailed maps with trail descriptions, and trekking poles (absolute necessity). Yes, the hike was difficult at times, but we were fine. The trail is very diverse in terms of terrain and trail types. When we went the theme was WET! Of the 7 days it rained on 4 days. At times the rain was moderate and at times just showers. In places the trail was extremely wet and boggy. I highly recommend water proof shoes and also the use of mole skin for your feet. You will encounter sheep poo in abundance. I estimate that we climbed over 125 stiles along the way. At times we walked on back roads, pastures, rocky trails. At times you scale small mountains and almost every day you will be climbing and then descending. The views are spectacular. The lodging hosts at each stop were always very friendly and accommodating. Our favorite stop was at the Stepping Stone. The hosts here are very kind, accommodating, helpful and the food is gourmet quality. I know I am rambling but there is so much to say about this experience. We wished we had done the entire Way, but we did not have enough time and we did not think we would last 9 days on the trail - turns out we could have done it. Plan some extra time to see Killarney - it's a real nice town and a nice area. We spent one day in Dublin on each end of the trip - taking the train to Killarney and back - real easy to do.Written 19 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RndckDublin, Ireland3 contributionsIf you just want to hike up the mountain, park in the upper carpark off the old Kenmore Road.
If you want to take in the waterfall then there is a smaller carpark down lower but can be hard to find a spot in busy season. Even if you park in the upper one you can still walk down to the waterfall before or after the mountain trek. It's a bit of a hill but very doable as alot of it is steps. If you're planning on going to the top of the mountain then this shouldn't be a problem!
Could do with a bit more signage especially from upper car park. Start on yellow kerry way & when you reach a clearing wuth views for ever then turn off to the right where there's a sign to top of mountain.
Hike was lovely as weather was perfect (a sunny warm Nov morning) & view at top was worth it.
Took me an hour to go up from upper carpark & 1.5hrs down taking in the waterfall by blue route & back to carpark.Written 20 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - GLB91Worcester, UK71 contributionsThe interactive museum in Killarney house, was free entry, but was really well thought out in its presentation of the area, its history, and environment and natural history. Gardens were beautiful to walk around ...an unexpected gem.Written 18 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CaitrionaRyanDublin, Ireland20 contributionsThis trail offers an amazing array of sports as it ascends to Ireland's highest mountain and it includes multiple distinct routes up Carrauntoohill. The Devil's Ladder is also a common route. Most of the "ladder" itself has corroded, making the climb up and down exciting, but highly rewarding.
The trails are well-marked, and the various terrain makes this amazing walk a terrific visitor challenge.
There are no facilities along this route; everything's at the trail start. Dogs are not allowed on trails due to many livestock. Like the mountains, the weather changes quickly, causing tourists some trouble, thus all equipment must be well-organized. The closest spot to visit is the Cronin`s YardWritten 26 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - SactoPersonFair Oaks, CA177 contributionsDriving through the Black Valley was one of the highlights of our trip in Ireland. Our favorite way of traveling is traveling obscure little roads to find hidden gems of an area. The Black Valley didn't disappoint. We drove it twice on this trip, once from Killarney, through Mols Gap and south down to Kenmare. Another time from our lodging in Portmagee, then up through The Gap of Dunloe.
The narrow, mostly one lane, winding roads rambled through mossy, rocky hills. Water was seeping out of everywhere and there were lovely little bridges that were built a few centuries ago. We felt really lucky to be able to experience this part of Ireland.
We made the trip in September of 2015.Written 26 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - tandb36Hadleigh, UK303 contributionsViews amazing, a great place to stop after driving from Killarney. Good coffee and hot chocolate but a little expensiveWritten 25 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EdwelshNorth Canton, OH4,647 contributionsWe walked by this little church and went inside. Just off the hustle and bustle of the busy street, it offered a peaceful retreat. The inside was tidy and comfortable, the stained glass windows beautiful. It seems to have a long and meaningful history. It’s hard for us Americans to appreciate the centuries old history in Europe, but we understand how important it is.Written 3 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ann CNashville, TN3,207 contributionsWe came upon the Franciscan Friary during a self-guided walking tour of Killarney.
The Franciscan church was opened in 1867, the friary in 1879.Written 5 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - cdbalcombeStaines, UK14 contributionsBeautifully presented photography in cool and calm surroundings. We came away wishing we could buy around 10 pictures. Unfortunately funds would not allow.Written 27 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
