Our Killarney

For over two thousand years, the county of Kerry has been known as The Kingdom. Kerry is the anglicised form of “Ciar raige”, which means “Ciar’s Kingdom.” The name originates with the ancient Irish chieftain Ciar, who ruled these lands long ago. Today, to speak of “The Kingdom” is to speak of the deep pride and affection that Kerry people feel for their home. 

When you stay with us, it is your home, too. Your kingdom. We have lived here for generations, but it only takes a few minutes to fall in love with this place. There is so much to see and do, so many sights to explore and so many experiences to enjoy. You can spend a lifetime and still discover new things to love. (We have.) The only challenge is knowing where to start.

So start right here. 

At The Killarney Park Hotel, The Kingdom is at your feet. In the town centre, within an area of outstanding natural beauty, our location places you mere steps away from some of the best of everything Ireland has to offer. 

Whether you’ve come from across the ocean or just down the road, introducing you to our Killarney is one of our greatest joys. Our concierge team has a wealth of local knowledge and connections to help you plan a customised itinerary and make the most of your time here. If you are seeking adventure, experienced local guides can take you hiking, mountaineering, pony trekking, kayaking, rock climbing, or abseiling. If you are in search of a slower pace of life, you can fill your days with treatments at The Spa, gentle strolls through the manicured lawns of historical sites and along the paved walkways of Killarney National Park, relaxing boat tours of Killarney’s iconic glacial lakes, or a leisurely afternoon of shopping, sipping, and dining in town.

Arriving to Killarney

If you have the option, we are great champions of public transport. 

There are direct buses to Killarney from Dublin Airport, with many bus and train options from cities and towns around Ireland. In particular, the train journey into Killarney is incredibly relaxing and scenic, winding through rugged mountains and through parts of the countryside you will not see any other way. You can walk from the train station to the hotel in a matter of minutes, but we are also happy to arrange a transfer: we know that after a long journey, luggage and jet lag are forces to be reckoned with. 

Killarney is an imminently walkable and cycle-friendly destination, but its colourful horse-drawn jaunting cars offer another fun and eco-friendly way to explore the town, the National Park, or famous nearby attractions such as Ross Castle, Muckross House and Gardens, and the Gap of Dunloe. We can arrange bookings for personalised tours by jaunting car, and if you would like to explore further afield, we can also recommend options for travel by coach or private car around the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, across The Wild Atlantic Way or to the area’s many exceptional golf courses.

If you arrive by car, we offer complimentary off-street parking and EV Charge Points.

The Town

Killarney town has a reputation for hospitality that goes back hundreds of years, and that heritage is still alive and well today. You will encounter that warmth and welcome at every turn: within the hotel, its restaurants, and The Spa, but also as you wander the bustling streets and cobblestone lanes of this quaint, historic town. Killarney’s restaurant scene is exciting and diverse: contemporary fine dining sits side by side with traditional pubs and casual eateries. Searching for gifts and keepsakes to commemorate your visit is a joy, with independent boutiques, bookstores, galleries and shops filled with handcrafted and antique treasures. 

The Community

Hospitality and tourism are at the heart of Killarney’s identity, but they are only the most visible part of what makes this area so special. There is another side of Killarney that visitors do not always get a chance to see. So many brilliant, creative people call this place home. Craftspeople and artists, historians and sportspeople, farmers and artisan producers, who have all devoted their lives to the heritage and traditions that give our Killarney its unique character. The Killarney Park Hotel has partnered with some of these exceptional folks to offer you unique, private experiences that offer you an intimate glimpse into the Killarney way of life. 

The Park

Our namesake, Killarney National Park, is a 26,000 acre UNESCO biosphere reserve of unspoilt wilderness and spectacular scenery. A two minute walk will bring you from the hotel gate to the park gates, where Ireland’s highest mountains and largest ancient oak forests are roamed by the country’s only wild herd of native red deer. Countless songbirds, bold red squirrels, shy badgers and clever foxes make their homes in the branches and roots of the park’s venerable trees. The sleek peregrine falcon and the majestic white-tailed sea eagle soar over its shimmering glacial lakes and waterfalls. The unique biodiversity and ecosystems here are an endless source of wonder and inspiration, and a precious legacy we are determined to protect and pass down to future generations. Killarney National Park is the driving force behind our devotion to sustainability and regenerative tourism at the hotel and in our community.