Killarney National Park
Walk beside three linked lakes, visit historic houses and abbeys, or take a boat into the mountain scenery of County Kerry.
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Killarney National Park lies beside Killarney town in County Kerry, southwest Ireland. Ireland’s first national park, created in 1932, covers about 102.89 square kilometres of lakes, woodland and mountains. Its three linked lakes are Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and the Upper Lake, which meet at the Meeting of the Waters. Waterfalls, oak and yew woods, and sights such as Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle make up a visit between the lakes and mountain slopes.
Visit Muckross House, a Victorian mansion near Muckross Lake, or take a boat trip on the lakes, including to Innisfallen Island and its abbey ruins. Surfaced paths in the Knockreer, Muckross and Ross Island areas suit walkers and cyclists. The Old Kenmare Road has views over Lough Leane. The park is open year-round. Rain is frequent and the weather changes, so pack waterproofs. Summers are cool, with a July average of about 15 °C, and winters are mild. Set aside time for the sights, or stay longer to walk or cycle the paths and take a boat trip.
Killarney National Park in five
- Pay for the houses, not the parkThe park and Muckross Gardens have no admission charge and parking inside the park is free. Muckross House, the Traditional Farms and the Ross Castle tour each charge their own ticket.Muckross House or Ross Castle
- Join the first Ross Castle tour you can getThe castle interior opens by guided tour only, first come first served, 15 people maximum. In 2026 the season runs 5 March to 3 November, with tours from 10:00 and the last at 16:55.Heritage Ireland
- Cycle or walk out to MuckrossMuckross House is about 6 km south of town on the N71. Only the main gate takes vehicles; walkers, cyclists and jaunting cars can enter at other gates nearer town.Killarney in one day
- Do the Gap of Dunloe by boat, bike or footThe Gap is an 11 km ravine between Purple Mountain and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Tours link a lake cruise from Ross Castle with a cycle, a walk or a jaunting car through the Gap.Gap of Dunloe and the lakes
- Leave drones and camping gear behindRecreational drones are not allowed, camping is not permitted and barbecues or campfires are banned. Dogs are welcome on a lead, and the park asks you to take litter out.
Things to do in Killarney National Park
See all attractions in Killarney National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Free: no fee for the park or Muckross Gardens Read more
- Permits
- None for walkers; commercial and organized activities need one Read more
- Season
- Open on foot 24 h; Ross Castle 5 Mar to 3 Nov 2026; Muckross all year
- Nearest town
- Killarney; Muckross House is about 6 km south on the N71
- Getting there
- Rail from Dublin and Cork; Kerry Airport about 15 km from town
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Wet, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Wet, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Showers; Ross opensMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers; Ross opens
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Longer daysAprilRain
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Longer days
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Long days, lushMayRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days, lush
- JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Longest daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Longest days
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain18 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Busiest monthAugustRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busiest month
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Calmer, goldenSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer, golden
- OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Wet, Ross closedNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, Ross closed
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Dark, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, wet
Average daily high and low in Killarney, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Killarney National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Killarney National Park
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°-1°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°2°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°6°6%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri10°6°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat8°4°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun10°0°7%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 7%.
Updated 05:14 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Killarney National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Killarney National Park, checked
- Recreational drones are not allowed in Killarney National Park; camping, barbecues and campfires are also prohibited.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Muckross House 2026: adult €9, joint ticket with the Traditional Farms €18; pay on arrival, no pre-booking needed.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Ross Castle: interior by guided tour only, first come first served, 5 March to 3 November 2026; adult ticket €5.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Killarney National Park FAQ
Is Killarney National Park free to enter?
Yes. There is no admission charge for the park or for Muckross Gardens, and parking inside the park is free. Muckross House, the Traditional Farms and the Ross Castle tour are separate paid visits.
Can you visit Killarney National Park without a car?
Yes. The park starts at the edge of town, and Muckross House is about 6 km away by cycle path, jaunting car or a long walk. Discover Ireland also lists a hop-on, hop-off bus between March and November.
How long do you need in Killarney National Park?
One day covers Muckross House, Torc Waterfall and Ross Castle if you cycle or drive between them. Add a second day for a lake cruise and the Gap of Dunloe, or for a longer walk such as the Muckross Lake loop.
Can you camp in Killarney National Park?
No. The park states that camping is not permitted and that fires and barbecues are not allowed. Sleep in Killarney or the villages around the park, and carry your litter out.
Is Muckross House worth paying for?
It suits anyone who likes period interiors and the story of a large estate. If the day is short, skip it: the gardens, the lake shore and the walks are free. The Muckross House or Ross Castle guide compares the tickets.