Dublin to Killarney: Road Trip Highlights and Must-See Spots in Killarney National Park
Ready to drive from Dublin to Killarney? Sometimes known as “The Kingdom,” County Kerry is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Its stunning landscapes and historic landmarks capture the heart like a classic Irish fairy tale. After a brief stop in the village of Adare, you’ll make your way to Killarney National Park to explore a mix of historic estates, waterfalls, and ancient ruins before heading to the Gap of Dunloe.
One other tip before you get this road trip started – make sure that you have offline Google Maps for Ireland downloaded onto your phone. This way, your maps will work regardless of cell service! You should have service for this entire road trip, but it’s worth making sure you can navigate.
Departing Dublin
You’ll want to grab a quick bite to eat, and perhaps a coffee, before hitting the road early. (We aimed to be driving out of Dublin by 8AM.) If you aren’t grabbing breakfast at your hotel, I recommend stopping at BeanHive Coffee. They have huge muffins (even some that are vegan and gluten-free!) and decent coffee to get you started. Just be aware that BeanHive starts serving full breakfast after 8AM. (If you want more recommendations in Dublin, check out my post – Beyond the Guidebook: A Curated 2-Day Dublin Itinerary. This is also where I cover a bit more about how we rented a car in Ireland!)
Make your way to your rental car, and hit the road! Remember to keep repeating to yourself – drive on the LEFT. Much of this drive will be on the highway, so it will help you get used to driving in Ireland. It will take about 2 1/2 hours to arrive at your first stop – Adare!
Late Breakfast in Adare
The perfect stop between Dublin and Killarney, Adare is considered to be one of the most charming villages in Ireland. (Keep in mind that during the summer high-season, this most certainly means loads of tour busses!)
As you arrive into Adare, you’ll find free parking at the Adare Heritage Center. To get to the lot, you’ll make the first right turn just after the building. (We missed it the first time and had to circle around town!) Outside of high season, it had plenty of parking. It’s also a great stop for free restrooms!
Right next door, you’ll find Holy Trinity Abbey – the only Trinitarian church in Ireland. The building itself is believed to date to 1226. It combines both the original medieval architecture with 18th century restorations in the Gothic Revival style. The abbey is free to visit, so spend about 10-20 minutes appreciating this small local church. There were services when we visited, but I wish we could have gone inside!
By now I’m sure you’ll be hungry, so head to Cafe Lógr for an amazing breakfast. It was one of my favorite breakfasts in Ireland (and maybe ever!). Cafe Lógr offers upscale, seasonal dishes using local Irish ingredients. My husband had the Irish Breakfast, and I am still dreaming about the Wild Mushroom Ragout. I genuinely would stop in Adare JUST to eat here again! I recommend ordering your coffee for takeaway so that you can take it to stroll through the village park (or just hit the road for Killarney!).
Killarney National Park Guide
From Adare, it’s only an hour and a half to Killarney! I’ll be highlighting three stops in Killarney National Park, and it’s up to you how you’d like to reach each one. You might want to consider time of year. During peak season in summer, some of the smaller parking lots will fill up quickly! Sunlight might also be a factor. Muckross House closes at 6PM, but the other two locations do not have operating hours, so you could easily visit them later!
Getting Around Killarney National Park
Visit Muckross House & Gardens
This grand historic home is certainly worth a visit! Built in 1843 for the Herbert family, Muckross House is a stunning example of a country home, even visited in 1861 by Queen Victoria. Much of the finery on the upper floors was added for her visit! (I particularly loved the silk wallpapers and velvet curtains!) We spent a little over an hour touring the house and gardens.
It costs €9 each for the self-guided house tour. During busy season, they will give you a time slot for your tour, so be sure to check-in as soon as you arrive. (It was not very busy when we were there mid-September, so we were not given a time!) You can also add on the Muckross Farm as part of a joint ticket. I would definitely recommend the farm if you’re traveling with kids, as it includes a playground, farm animals to visit, and the opportunity to explore what life was like on a traditional Irish farm.
Hike to Torc Waterfall
Interested in experiencing a bit of Irish folklore? “Torc” means “wild boar” in Gaelic, and the waterfall was said to have been created by a man cursed to turn into a boar each night. He was discovered by a local farmer and then burst into flames.
While I can’t promise a flaming boar, I can guarantee that the views of the hike and waterfall are worth the short visit! If arriving from Killarney National Park, you’ll walk through a tunnel (under the main road – N71) to reach the restrooms and main parking area. From here, it’s a short 5-10 minute hike to reach Torc Waterfall! The woods here are gorgeous, so don’t forget to pause and enjoy them as you make your way to the falls. If you’re interested in a longer hike, there is an additional trail that leads away from the falls, but be warned that it is a bit steep and can get muddy in spots, so bring the right shoes!
Exploring Muckross Abbey
Imagine the ruins of ancient Ireland. Crumbling walls, covered in moss. The sunlight glittering through green leaves and each step you take echoes with the history of inhabitants lost to time. This is Muckross Abbey.
Muckross Abbey’s most unique feature is the yew tree growing in the middle. From here, you can climb the stairs to see the view from above (and evidence of an original hearth!). Back downstairs, don’t miss the large three mullioned window in the east gable. The nearby graveyard is also worth noting – it is still in use today! While mostly in ruins, the abbey helps you to imagine what life might have been like long ago. It truly is a spot worth exploring (and free to visit!).
Unique Stay in Killarney
After a full day of exploration, you’ll be ready to rest in your very own shepherd’s cottage. This hidden gem can be booked here – Gap of Dunloe Shepherd’s Cottage. We loved being able to stay at a cottage that dated back to the 1800s, while also enjoying one of the top stops in all of Kerry – the Gap of Dunloe! This is the perfect, unique stay in County Kerry for a couple or a small family.
After you unpack your things, go for a quick hike down the road in either direction to enjoy the views, mountain mist, and the sheep that seem to wander everywhere! The cottage felt so warm and cozy in the evenings, and so quiet – all we heard was the sound of the wind and the occasional bleating sheep. It was perfect for a game of cards or cuddling up with a good book!
Tips for the Gap of Dunloe Shepherd’s Cottage
More About the Gap of Dunloe
If you choose to visit the Gap of Dunloe at another time, you can park at Kate Kearney’s and either hire a jarvey or hike up the Gap yourself! If walking yourself, you can choose to walk to the first Wishing Bridge and back, which should take about 20 minutes each way. It is a fairly easy walk, as it is on a narrow paved road. You can always walk further, but even a short hike will let you experience the rugged peacefulness of the Gap of Dunloe.
More in Co. Kerry
If you’re in Kerry for more than one day (which I hope you are!), there are so many other things to do and explore. You can drive over to the Dingle Peninsula, or perhaps you’re interested in driving the Ring of Kerry. (If so, check out – How to Explore the Ring of Kerry in One Day.) We loved our visit to Kerry and would love to return with our littles one day!
