castle
Ross Castle
A 15th-century tower house on the shore of Lough Leane, gateway to boat trips across Killarney's lakes.
3 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeIrelandMunster
Killarney
Munster, Ireland · Europe
About Killarney
Killarney works well as a base: 20 minutes from Killorglin, 9km from Killarney National Park.
Killarney is in Munster, Ireland, with about 15,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Killorglin, about 19 km away.
Killarney ( kil-AR-nee; Irish: Cill Airne [ˌciːl̠ʲ ˈaːɾˠn̠ʲə], meaning 'church of sloes') is a town in County Kerry, Ireland. It is on the northeastern shore of Lough Leane, part of Killarney National Park, and is home to St Mary's Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross House and Abbey, the Lakes of Killarney,Read more
MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Purple Mountain, Mangerton Mountain, Paps Mountain, the Gap of Dunloe and Torc Waterfall. Its natural heritage, history and location on the Ring of Kerry make Killarney a popular tourist destination. Tourism has underpinned the town's economy and shaped its development for more than two and a half centuries, and Killarney has been described the birthplace of Irish tourism.
Killarney's population was 14,412 as of the 2022 census, making it the second largest in the county. It won the Best Kept Town award in 2007 in a cross-border competition jointly organised by the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council. In 2011, Killarney was named Ireland's tidiest town and the cleanest town in the country by Irish Business Against Litter. It was again named Ireland's tidiest large town in 2023.
Where to Stay in Killarney
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Killarney?
Within an hour or so of Killarney: Ross Castle (3 km), Muckross House (5 km), Torc Waterfall (6 km), Killarney National Park (9 km).
Are there any good drives near Killarney?
The nearest famous roads are Moll's Gap, Ballaghbeama Gap and Ring of Kerry.
How long does it take to drive to Killarney?
Cork to Killarney is about 1 hr 12 min (87 km). Dublin to Killarney is about 3 hr 48 min (303 km).
Where is Killarney?
Killarney is in Munster, Ireland, about 19 km from Killorglin.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 14,504
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Munster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 52.0598, -9.5086
Tags
Worth the detour from Killarney
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Muckross House
An elegant Victorian mansion and gardens beside Muckross Lake in Killarney National Park.
5 km · about 10 min drive
waterfall
Torc Waterfall
Beautiful 20-metre cascade in Killarney National Park, set in ancient oak woodland at the base of Torc Mountain near Muckross House.
6 km · about 10 min drive
national park
Killarney National Park
Ireland's first national park encompassing three famous lakes, ancient oak woodlands, the 15th-century Ross Castle and Ireland's only wild red deer herd.
9 km · about 15 min drive
cafe
Kate Kearney's Cottage
A historic pub and cafe at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry, the traditional starting point for driving or riding through Ireland's most dramatic mountain pass.
9 km · about 15 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Gap of Dunloe
Narrow mountain pass carved by glaciers through the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, best experienced by pony trap or on foot along its 11-kilometre length.
10 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Ladies View
A celebrated panorama over the Lakes of Killarney named for Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who admired it.
12 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
Moll's Gap
Rocky mountain pass on the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney, a highlight of the Ring of Kerry with sweeping views towards the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and a famous Avoca cafe at the summit.
17 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Killarney
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- Right hereGap of DunloeNarrow mountain pass carved by glaciers through the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, best experienced by pony trap or on foot along its 11-kilometre length.
- Right hereLadies ViewA celebrated panorama over the Lakes of Killarney named for Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who admired it.
- 17 kmMoll's GapRocky mountain pass on the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney, a highlight of the Ring of Kerry with sweeping views towards the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and a famous Avoca cafe at the summit.
- 25 kmBallaghbeama GapA narrow rock-walled pass cutting through the middle of the Iveragh peninsula, a single-track escape from the Ring of Kerry traffic.
- 32 kmRing of KerryA 179-kilometer circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula showcasing Ireland's most spectacular coastal and mountain scenery.
- 39 kmHealy Pass (R574)A serpentine 334m crossing of the Beara Peninsula between Cork and Kerry, all switchbacks and rock.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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