Day 2: Killarney, Ireland (Castlerosse Park Resort and Killarney National Park)

We spent days 2 through 6 in Killarney (Sunday through Thursday, 4 nights) and it was magical. Ireland's beauty is quiet here in the states in the sense that you don't hear much about it, but it is so apparent when you spend time in this country, especially outside its major city. The greenery, the restaurants, the outdoors, the friendly people, the amazing food, we fell in love with Ireland and it started right here in Killarney.

Between the resort we stayed at, the access to the trails and National Park, the city/downtown area itself, and the launching point to Gap of Dunloe, Blarney Castle, Kinsale, and Dingle Peninsula, this corner of Ireland was our favorite. The town itself is dreamy with busy cobblestone streets, live music, quaint shops, a ton of restaurants with outdoor spaces, and everyone out on the sidewalks enjoying a pint. 

Castlerosse Park Resort Golf Course

Castlerosse Park Resort Bar/Restaurant

Castlerosse Park Resort

A part of the success to the first half of our trip was finding lodging which gave us everything. Castlerosse Park Resort was truly the best of both worlds when it came to vacationing in Killarney. The resort was the perfect situation for a family. We had a two bedroom, two bathroom house, fully equipped with a kitchen, living room, washer/dryer, and outdoor area. Having an actual house is key to traveling with kids and we loved having the ability to cook meals at the house, to do laundry nightly, and to let the kids have some space. You can find this in any traditional Airbnb rental but the issue with these types of accommodations is that you miss out on the amenities of a resort - playgrounds, pools, restaurant, golf course, gym, rental bikes, and so on.

Our stay at Castlerosse Park Resort gave us both, the space and comfort of staying at a house and the amenities offered by a resort. Adam played golf, we walked the trails through the property and onto the National Park, we took the kids to the pool and playground, and had lunch at the restaurant at the resort. We were also right on the paved trail system which meant we could easily take the trails into town (and the Knockreer Playground within the park and just off the trails).

Castlerosse Park Resort two bedroom/two bathroom guest houses

Castlerosse Park Resort Guest Houses

The price was also wildly affordable for all the luxury of the house and the resort. 

Two-Bedroom House: € 713.88 ($808.71)
13.50 % VAT is included.: € 96.37 ($109.17)
Total Price: € 810.25 ($917.88)

For a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom house at the resort (with kitchen, laundry, patio, living room etc), and all resort amenities. Split with my in-laws who had one room and we had the other (each room had a full size bed and a twin, the resort also had a pack and play).
This meant the resort was $114 a night per family/1 bed, 1 bath. 

Downtown Killarney

The Fossa Way and Knockreer Playground

If you are staying in the area with kids, Knockreer Playground right in the National Park is a perfect way to let them play and explore. I think we visited this playground every day and at least once thanks to the amazing trail system through the area called "The Fossa Way". This paved trail connects the village of Fossa to downtown Killarney. You can even follow it all the way to Ross Castle but we continuously walked and biked the section between our resort and downtown. Like many Irish playgrounds, there were bathrooms, the playground was fenced in, and next to a sports field and downtown. There was something for all ages, zip line included. We came here at least once a day and were so thankful for the kids to have their own space right in town. 

Knockreer Playground Killarney

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park

Ireland is home to six National Parks with Killarney National Park being the first, and a true gem in the southwestern region of Ireland. The park is famous for its native red deer, which is often seen grazing in the woodlands and open areas. The other major attractions are the Lakes of Killarney: Lough Leane (the lower lake), Muckross Lake (the middle lake), and the Upper Lake. These lakes are interlinked and together make up almost a quarter of the park's area. We took a boat road through the lakes (more on that later) and it was another way to experience the beauty of the park.

Some of my favorite memories of the trip were our golden hour walks through the National Park. It didn't get dark out until nearly 10 each night and it was lovely to walk the paved trails through the park with other hikers, runners, dog walkers, and bikers. We even rented bikes one day and took the bikes through the paved trails in the park, watching horses make their way back down the dirt trails, stopping at the playground to let the kids play.

Killarney Lakes view from the golf course

Killarney Lakes view from the golf course

Killarney National Park Deer Signage

Killarney National Park is home to two species of deer, the native Red Deer as well as the Japanese Sika Deer. The Sika Deer are were introduced to Ireland about 150 years ago from Japan and are much smaller. The kids loved "looking for animals" on our nightly walk and there was something about the way the deer grazed in the orange sunset each evening that ended each day so peacefully. We loved these evening walks and the deer in the park made this amazing place feel even more magical.  

Killarney National Park and it's famous herd of deer

Killarney National Park Deer Signage

Killarney National Park trails

Map Source

Points of Interest

• Walking paths and red deer in Killarney National Park
• Downtown Killarney - walk through, shops, and restaurants
• Fossa Way paved trail and the Knockreer Playground
• Killarney House Gardens
• Gap of Dunloe (post coming)
• Boat ride across the lakes and through Old Weir Bridge, stop at Ross Castle (post coming)

Other points of interest 

Here are some areas we didn't see but looked interesting.

• Torc Waterfall
• Ladies View
• Dinis Island and cottage 
• Muckross House & Gardens  
• Killarney Brewing Company
• Falconry Kerry

The highlight of this area for us was the Gap of Dunloe and our boat ride through the lakes. Sharing our amazing time on this full day trip next.