The 170km Ring of Kerry hugging Ireland’s South-West coast represents some of the most spectacular seascapes you will encounter anywhere on the Wild Atlantic Way. DON’T leave Ireland with doing “The Ring”.

Drive to Kate Kearney’s Cottage and walk or take a pony and trap up into the Gap of Dunloe. Reward yourself with an Irish Coffee in Kate’s afterwards. (It is possible to drive through the Gap of Dunloe but, unless you go very early in the morning or late in the evening, it’s a nightmare to negotiate because of the narrow and winding road that borders steep drops in places).

The Dingle Peninsula is one of Ireland's most famous scenic day trips. It has some of the best natural scenery seen anywhere in Europe. This is rugged, desolate country. The breathtaking panoramas of the coastline with steep cliffs falling into the sea, isolated beaches, and the Blasket Islands.

A trip in a horse-drawn carriage through Killarney National Park with entertaining and informative commentary from a traditional jarvey will put you on the inside track.

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Book a kayaking trip on the Lower Lake or take an all-weather cruise in a covered water boat.

Take a traditional boat from Ross Castle to Innisfallen Island where the 12th century monastery ruins and the resident herd of shy Sika Deer will transport you to another world.

Follow the garden path down into the Knockreer Estate and continue up the hill behind Deenagh Lodge to view the Lower Lake from Prospect Hill. Again, admission to the gardens and Knockreer is free.

The Gap of Dunloe Boat Trip is the crème de la crème when it comes to day trips in Killarney. Travel by boat from Ross Castle through the three lakes up into the Black Valley. Return through the Gap to Kate Kearney’s cottage by foot, bike (check in advance that you can bring your bikes in the boat) or pony and trap, and take the shuttle bus to Killarney. It is also possible to to do the trip in the reverse direction, starting from Kate Kearney’s Cottage.

Wander beyond the formal gardens into the adjoining arboretum or take the two nature trails, Old Boathouse (approx 40 minutes) or Mossy Woods (approx 90 minutes), on either side of Dundag Bay on the lake to escape the crowds. Note, though, that the National Park inexplicably does not mark the trail heads with signs and the original booklets matching the trail markers are no longer available. Don’t let this stop you following these less-travelled paths, though, because they are truly remarkable for the limestone cliffs and caves and the flora. There is free admission to Muckross Gardens. There is a charge for the guided tour of the house. The tour should be booked as soon as you arrive because demand can be high.

Take the tour of the 15th century Ross Castle. Walk or cycle Ross Island beside the castle for exquisite views and semi-deserted tracks.

Drive up to the hill of Aghadoe on the outskirts of the town to get a panoramic view of mountain and lake. See the Anglo-Norman castle and the 12th century monastic ruins.

Hike the 16km Old Kenmare Road from the upper Torc Mountain to the town of Kenmare and experience total wilderness. If you can’t spare an entire day, walk as far as the little waterfall just before Esnamucky Glen (approx 1 hour) and double back.

Cycle from Killarney around the Dinis Peninsula in Killarney National Park (14 mile/22km circuit) and do stop at Dinis Cottage Tearooms. The peninsula is one-way for bikes, so make sure to cycle in an anti-clockwise direction. If you make this a leisurely day, there is plenty to see in this popular section of the National Park – Muckross Abbey, Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Traditional Farms and Torc Waterfall.

Hike from Derrycunnihy Church on the Kenmare Road to Lord Brandon’s Cottage (1.5 hours) at the edge of the Black Valley and return the same way.

On the Dinis Peninsula close to Muckross House, walk through Reenadinna Yew Wood, which is the most significant stand of Yew woodland in Western Europe.

Take a boat from Dundag Boat House in front of Muckross House across the Middle Lake to Dinis Cottage. Return by boat or walk back via the Dinis Peninsula.

Have a flutter at the Killarney Horse Racing Festivals held in May, July and August.

Sit outside a café in Main Street (Killarney’s version of ‘La Ramblas) and watch the world and his wife ramble by. Here, you will catch the ‘buzz’ or sense of vibrancy that marks Killarney out from most other tourist towns.

Drive to Ladies’ View or to Moll’s Gap for the most scenic cup of tea or coffee you’ll enjoy anywhere in Kerry. Ladies’ View added an open-air rooftop café in 2017.

Catch a free concert especially the Spraoi Chiarraí traditional performances at Saint Mary’s Church of Ireland.

Visit the free public playground just off Port Road beside Saint Mary’s Cathedral in the National Park.

Listen to the best of traditional Irish Music at O’Connor’s Bar in High Street, Buckley’s Bar and Murphy’s Bar, both in College Street, and the Grand Hotel in Main Street.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral, the Franciscan Friary and Saint Mary’s Church of Ireland are well-worth a visit from the point of view of history, architecture and stained glass windows. In particular, note the Harry Clarke Rose Window above the entrance door in the Friary.

Browse in some of the town’s commercial art and photography galleries. The lobby of the Department of Tourism opposite Killarney Garda Station on New Road features a small but excellent gallery of modern Irish art that’s constantly being rotated. Not many people know about this free exhibition.

If you would like to see Kerry’s Gaelic footballers in action, ask us to contact some of the local clubs for match times when you arrive.

Take a guided walk through the town or the National Park. Ask us for details. If you are into serious mountain hiking, we can recommend a guide also. Do NOT attempt Carrauntoohill (3,424 ft/1,038m) on your own because it has sheer cliffs on three sides and has been the scene of countless fatalities.

Treat yourself to a snack or lunch at Deenagh Cottage Tearooms opposite Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney National Park. The tearooms are run as a training centre for young adults with Down Syndrome. The work experience is invaluable for the trainees who receive a wage.

Torc Mountain (1,755ft/535m) is a safe and accessible climb for families. Railway sleepers make the terrain easy to negotiate. Views are beautiful. Take the first left after Muckross House and follow the Old Kenmare Road to the Upper Torc Car Park. When the climbing track emerges into open country, watch out for the turn-off to the right to leave the main track and climb the mountain. Make sure to carry a fleece or warm sweater because, even on a hot day, the mountain breeze can be chilly on the summit. Strong, waterproof footwear is also recommended.

Old graveyards are redolent with history and none more so than the one at Killegy marked by the towering Celtic cross under which the Herbert Landlords of Muckross House are buried. Just off the old Muckross village green immediately before the Muckross Park Hotel, walk through the gate beside the former Muckross Post Office (now the Blue Pool Gallery). The graveyard is just about five minutes up the track.

High on the list of popular attractions for children are Kennedy’s Pet Farm, Muckross Traditional Farms, Killarney High Ropes at Fossa, the free playground on Port Road, a horse and carriage ride, climbing the steps at Torc Waterfall and visiting Ross Castle.

Indoor family facilities include the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre with a 25 metre swimming pool and spacious gym, Cinema Killarney and Buddies’ Play Centre. Kennedy’s Pet Farm also has an extensive indoor play area.

If you like your beverages, the Killarney Whiskey Bar in New Street and the Killarney Brewing Company on Muckross Road are relatively new ventures that are proving extremely popular. The Whiskey Bar serves a full food menu while the Brewing Company serves pizza only.

For the best of traditional song, dance and music, check out celticsteps.ie in Killarney.

Wander down Killarney’s honeycombed laneways which are an important facet of the town’s character. Here, you will find art galleries, restaurants and residential houses. The Milk Market off High Street has a particularly eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants – do check this one out. The residential sector of the laneways is interesting in its own right in that it presents the newer, multi-cultural face of Killarney, driven to a large degree by an influx of immigrant workers from Bangladesh and Eastern Europe in the 1990s.

Walk the Knockreer section of Killarney National Park right through October and hear the bellowing of the Red Deer stags in the mating season. See them lock antlers in battle for their ‘harems’. Listen out for the distinctive mating whistle of the Sika or Japanese deer. In April/May, see the bluebells and wild garlic create the effect of a blue and white sky fallen to the woodland floor.

On a wet day, pamper yourself in a spa in any of Killarney’s four star and five star hotels.