'''Killarney''' [http://homepage.tinet.ie/~knp/intro/index.htm] is one of Ireland's leading tourist destinations because of the abundant scenery nearby in Killarney National Park. It is also situated on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive.
Understand
Killarney town itself is probaby the main tourist centre outside of Dublin. There is probably a hotel bed for every inhabitant. However the scenery begins right on its doorstep. You can see Ireland's highest mountains from the town (weather permitting) and walk straight into beautiful parkland from the town streets.
The weather needs to be mentioned. Ireland is rainy and Killarney ? in the southwest ? is one of the wetter parts of the country. It is located on the Ring of Kerry, a circuit of various towns and villages in Kerry, which showcases some of the finest scenery in Ireland.
Get in
By plane
There is a small international Airport at Farranfore 10 ml to the north. There are regular flights from London, Frankfurt and Dublin.
By train
Killarney is on the Dublin-Tralee and the Cork - Tralee railways. It is about 3 and a half hours from Dublin and about an hour and a half from Cork. You might be required to transfer trains at Mallow in County Cork. The train station is only a few hundred metres from the centre of town.
By car
Killarney is situated approximately two hours from Shannon Airport, one and a half hours drive from Cork Airport and 4 and half hours drive from Dublin Airport. It is possible to rent a car from any one of these places or to drive directly to Ireland via Ferry from the United Kingdom or Europe.
By bus
The bus station is located next to the train station, although they use different entrances. The bus station is beside the Outlet Centre opposite the Friary. For the train station, go between the Outlet Centre and the Malton Hotel (formerly The Great Southern Hotel).
By taxi
There are nearly always taxi cabs available from the rank, outside McSorleys bar and niteclub. Local numbers to call are (064)37676, and (064) 37444, to name but a few.
Get around
By bicycle
Cycling is an ideal way to see the Killarney National Park. There are paved bicycle paths in Muckross, Knockreer and Ross Island.
If you do not have a bicycle, there are several places in Killarney where you can rent them. O' Sullivans Cycles, located across from the Tourist Office, charges 15euro to rent a bike for the day.
'''Put on your runners...'''
Killarney town can easily be covered by foot. It is a mere ten minute walk from the town centre to the entrance of the National Park, or 'Demense', and there are many beautiful sign-posted walks you can follow from there. If you are a parent, there is a new enclosed playground two minutes walk from the main gate by the river.
If It is Raining
Watch a game of Gaelic football, Ireland's national game. Kerry has won more All-Ireland Football Championship titles than any other team. Killarney has a rich footballing tradition and Kerry inter-county matches are often played at Fitzgerald Stadium in the town.
Go for a swim or relax in the sauna in Killarney's only brand new, purpose-built leisure centre, Aura. 5mins from town by car or 25min walk, it is located on the bypass. Several hotels also have swimming pools open to non-residents, but they tend to be expensive.
Have a game of pool in the cue club in the centre of town. Watch the latest movies in the Killarney cineplex (recently renovated and looking fabulous!), go for a drink in any of the numerous pubs Killarney has to offer, or simply put on a jacket... and go outside!!!
If It is Dry
Venture into Aghadoe. (pronounced AHA-DOE) A decent but not overly strenuous cycle, approx 45mins from town will leave you gazing over some of the most spectacular views Killarney has to offer from the viewing point, located just beside the Aghadoe burial grounds. The view is the one that most commonly appears on Killarney postcards, and is world famous. Aghadoe is also a popular area for those interested in Ireland's early history, with an 13th century Norman ruin named Parkavonear Castle, and ancient Ogham stones in the church ruins.
If you cycled up by heading north from Killarney, there are two nice alternate routes back to town - both downhill.
The shorter one is to go between the graveyard and Parkavonear Castle, and follow the road past the back of the golf course, then turn left when you meet the main road to town.
Alternativly, head past the Aghadoe Heights Hotel car park, and follow the road. You'll pass an old church (closed now) on the left that makes a nice photo, and turn left at the T junction near the German Butcher Shop. The Killarney youth hostel is worth a quick look. It is a grand old house hidden in among the forests. Its entrance is at the junction, look for the gatehouse. Continue downhill and turn left on the main road to town.
Careful, this is the main road from west Kerry, and can be busy.
Visit Muckross House and Estates. This area of the park also boasts the "Muckross Traditional Farms", a perfect outing for the kids. A ring walk (not very long, approx 2hours from start to finish, including stops), leads you past several 'traditional farmhouses'. These farmhouses demonstrate 'the way we were'. During the summer, there are often litters of kittens and puppies, which the children will be delighted with as you watch the demonstrations of soda bread and butter making, a sample of which will be given to you if you behave!!!
Visit Ross Road and Killarney National Park, which is very near to town ? approximately 1 mile.
Take a boat trip on the Lakes of Killarney. Boats leave Ross Castle regularly during the summer. From there you can visit the likes of the Innisfallen Island, which boasts spectacular monastical ruins.
Climb Carrantouhill, Ireland's highest mountain which is 1,041m (3,414 ft) high. Killarney serves as a good base for this. An easier climb is up Torc Mountain (535m). Follow the path up from Torc Waterfall on the Muckross Road. It takes about 3 hours up and back, and the track is well marked. There is a lovely view of the town and lakes from the top.
Work
Killarney always has lots of jobs available in the hospitality industry, especially during the summer months. The free local newspapers The Killarney Advertiser and the Killarney Outlook have several pages of job vacancies.
There is a Fas office across from the cinema which can be very useful if searching for work.
Buy
.
The Killarney Outlet Centre (opposite the Friary) has a wide range of shops including NIKE, Blarney Woolen Mills, and other name brands. Also available are books, camping gear, and Irish style jewellery. It's all under cover, so good for a wet day.
Eat
''''The Laurels'''' The Laurels enjoys a great reputation for its food. Expect to find the best traditional fare around prepared not with just a little flair entirely from local ingredients. Bantry Bay mussels come in a tureen of white wine, garlic and fresh cream with home-made soda bread; Irish stew with crusty home-baked rolls; and traditional potato-cakes filled with chicken and smoked bacon on a mushroom sauce. As well as dining in the pub, the adjoining restaurant seats 65 people between two rooms for more leisurely dining. Main Street, Killarney. Phone: +353 (0)64 31149. Fax: +353 (0)64 34389. Email: info@thelaurelspub.com Web: http://www.thelaurelspub.com
'''CRONIN's''' This small cafe has a friendly, unpretentious setting and gives a particularly hearty welcome to families. There are a good variety of hot and cold options, with something to suit everyone. Salads, soups, sandwiches, and hot entrees are available throughout the day and evening, all for very economical prices. Specials offer daily diversity to the menu. A special child's menu has a number of pleasing standards with generous helpings of chips. Enthusiastic and fast service makes eating at Cronin's a pleasure.
'''Sceal Eile''' A nice restaurant and cafe on Main Street. Try to get a window seat if you're dining on the second-floor restaurant. On a sunny day, the window boxes compliment the view as the bustling life goes by. The menu is varied and quite nice, as are the staff.
Drink
Courtneys Bar. 4 Plunkett Street. min walk from bus/train. Open until 11.30pm weeknights and untill 12.30am Friday and Saturday nights. Log fires during the winter, wide variety of clientele, live music varies from trad to rock. Wide range of international beers offered. Warm atmosphere and general good humoured banter guaranteed.
There is a wide variety of pubs in Killarney.
The Laurels. Log Fires, tiled floors, beamed ceilings and a warm welcome combine to bestow that elusive ambiance that is characteristic the Irish Pub. Main Street, Killarney. Phone: +353 (0)64 31149. Fax: +353 (0)64 34389. Email: info@thelaurelspub.com Web: http://www.thelaurelspub.com
Jimmy Brien's.
Buckley's Bar.
The Curraglass Inn.
Kate Kearney's Cottage.
Sleep
[http://www.countesshouse.com Countess House] - Family run bed and breakfast boasts 17 luxurious en-suite bedrooms. The house is situated in a quiet peaceful location off Muckross Road, only 3 minutes walk from Killarney town centre and en route to the Ring of Kerry, Muckross House, Killarney National Park & The Gap of Dunloe.
[http://www.holidayinnkillarney.com Holiday Inn Hotel Killarney] The hotel enjoys a quiet but central location affording the guests both tranquility and easy access to the bustling town of Killarney in Co Kerry.
Neptunes Hostel. ew Street. pposite Tesco Shopping centre, up lane beside Denjoes take-away. Few mins walk from bus/train station.. ww.neptuneshostel.com. Spacious atmospheric hostel located in centre of town. Close to all local amenities and walking distance to Natonal park. Free parking/wifi/internet access. Double private rooms available. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Ideal for backpackers, families, tours etc.
.
Killarney has a huge variety of accommodation available for visitors, from top of the range luxury 5 star hotels to comfortable B&B's and hostel accommodation. There's something to suite every budget.
The Malton. ormerly The Great Southern Hotel. own Centre, Killarney. 353 (0)64 38000. ttp://www.themalton.com/. This opulent 4 Star Hotel is located conveniently in the Town Centre and yet has the luxury of a wonderfully landscaped 6 Acre garden.
Killarney Golf Club. ttp://www.killarney-golf.com/.
Hotel Europe. 353 64 71300. ales@kih.liebherr.com. 353 64 32118. 500. ouble occupancy. ttp://www.killarneyhotels.ie/europe/. On a 30-acre property on the shores of Loch Lein. Golf course, conference center, gourmet restaurant.
Dunloe Castle. +353 64 44111. ales@kih.liebherr.com. 353 64 44583. 500. ouble occupancy. ttp://www.killarneyhotels.ie/dunloecastle/.
Hotel Ard na Sidhe. 353 64 71350. ales@kih.liebherr.com. 353 66 9769282. ttp://www.killarneyhotels.ie/ardnasidhe/.
Killarney Park Hotel. ttp://www.killarneyparkhotel.ie/.
Killarney Royal Hotel. ttp://www.killarneyroyal.ie/.
Sunny Banks B&B. 064) 34109. Just across from the Bus station. A nice, clean, and friendly place with en suite bathrooms and TV.
Hillcrest Farmhouse. 064) 34702. Located in the beautiful Black Valley near the Gap of Dunloe.
'''Friars Glen Country House''' (http://www.friarsglen.ie) is built in a traditional style and offers a haven of peace and tranquility. This charming house is set in 28 acres of wood and pastureland and is located in the heart of Killarney National Park.
Stay safe
Like all tourist towns, Killarney can get very busy, so remember, safety in numbers.
In case of trouble call the local police (known as the 'Garda') 064-31222.
Cope
Get out
Ring of Kerry