15 National Park Tours in Ireland to Build a Day Around

1.Ring of Kerry Day Tour from Cork: Including Killarney National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 663 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $71Our pick

Spend about 11 hours touring the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park from Cork. You’ll visit Killarney, Waterville, Sneem, Dingle Bay, and Torc Waterfall with a driver-guide such as Kevin, Paul, or Brian. Expect grand views, lively commentary, a large bus, and several short stops.

“Beautiful scenery, but I felt that this tour was very commercialized. An hour at Killarney national park for a horse drawn carriage ride. Half hour at some model village. Group lunch (35-50 people). This could be time spent much better. Still giving it 4 stars, as the second part was lovely. But not sure I'd do it again. I would prefer a different tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.NO 1 Ring of Kerry Tour inc Killarney Lakes & National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 620 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $72

Spend about six hours touring the Ring of Kerry from central Killarney in an air-conditioned coach. Your driver-guide, often Denis, Batt, Michael, John, or Dave, handles the narrow roads while you see Sneem, Ladies View, Killarney National Park, coastal bays, and a working sheepdog demonstration.

“Bus driver drove well but We were so disappointed with the lack of information about all the places. He told us what some things were but not much else. I took a tour before and it was so interesting. I was so upset my friends did not have the same. Best part was SheepDog presentation where we at least learned something! It was a bus ride NOT a tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Killarney National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 503 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $60Top rated

Set out from Deenagh Lodge with McCarthys Killarney Carriage Rides for a private, one-hour jaunt through the national park. Your driver may be Damien, Jason, or another McCarthy family guide, with horses such as Daisy, Maggie, or Paddy. Expect lake and castle views, local stories, and time for photos.

“It’s a wonderful introduction to Killarney National Park and a great way to kick off our stay in Ireland. Martin was a congenial and informative guide to the sights along the way and personal historic stories. And Paddy (our trusty horse) led the way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Best Ring of Kerry Tour ex Killarney inc Killarney National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 463 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $72

From central Killarney, Deros Coach Tours takes you around the Ring of Kerry in an air-conditioned coach. Expect Bog Village, a possible sheepdog show, Waterville, Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, and Killarney National Park, with lively guides such as Batt, Denis, or Darren.

“Very interisting Tour. I would definitly recomend it. Enough time at every stop. The lunch restaurant had a very beautiful view.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Connemara and Connemara National Park Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 433 reviews · from $57

Travel from Galway into Connemara with an English-speaking guide, stopping in Clifden, at scenic lakes and the Sky Road. Choose three hours at Connemara National Park, including Diamond Hill trails, or visit Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Gardens. Guides may include Paddy, Mike, or Damien.

“Mike was very attentive and forthcoming in making the trip pleasant for everyone. He was also very knowledgeable and was, without a doubt, one of the most informative and at the same time entertaining guides. 💯👍 He also made sure that those not fit or willing to hike up a mountain had another options. In our case that meant either hiking up diamond hill or visiting the Kylemore Abbey. We definitely recommend going on this tour. Especially with Mike. 🙌🚌✌️”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Guided Killarney National Park Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 377 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19

Meet Richard, James, Mike, Thomas, or another local guide at 11am outside O’Sheas Funeral Home. Spend about two hours walking Killarney National Park, learning its stories, plants, wildlife, and hidden paths. The route is flexible, and may be extended if you want a longer walk.

“Great walk through the national park and a wonderful guide! Richard was an excellent guide. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Connemara National Park Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 261 reviews · from $0

Travel from Galway into Connemara with a local English-speaking driver-guide, stopping at Leenane, Killary Fjord, and scenic viewpoints before two hours at Diamond Hill. Guides such as John, Michael, Sean, and Macdara add history, music, and local culture to the drive.

“Amazing experience, Darragh (guide tour) was super friendly and gave us all the informations. He stoped many times for pics and told us about the Irish history. I extremely recommend the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Kerry: Guided Horse Riding Tour in Killarney National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 226 reviews · from $115

Ride from stables just outside Killarney into Knockreer Estate with an English-speaking guide. Beginners are welcome, horses and safety gear are provided, and the route brings you past Lough Leane, mountain scenery, forest paths, and sometimes wild deer.

“At the start I was very nervous. But Natalie guided me and told me what to do. As time went on the nerves were fading away and I got to look at the scenery, we seen a lot of deers aswell. It was a lovely day”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Self-Guided Bike Tour of Killarney National Park, Muckross Gardens & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · 5 hours to 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Pick up a bike, helmet, map, and lock at Killarney Flesk Caravan & Camping Park, then follow park paths to Muckross House, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall, and the traditional farms. You set the pace, choose your stops, and return the bike to the same place.

“We loved the bike ride through the park. Highly recommend the red route around the lake. It was so pretty. The bike shop guys were super friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Jaunting Car Tour in Killarney National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $66

Ride a covered horse-drawn carriage through Killarney National Park with a local McCarthy family guide such as Damien or Damian. You’ll visit Muckross Abbey, see its ancient yew tree, hear stories about the park, and enjoy views across the lakes. The private tour lasts about an hour.

“this has easily been the highlight of our trip, Damian was our guide and was very kind and easy to talk with. Molly, our horse was a BEAUTIFUL girl that gave the ride her all. Would LOVE to do this again and highly recommend this to anyone looking for the jaunting tour. They take very good care of all their horses which is a MUST for me.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Killarney National Park Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 111 reviews · from $48

Meet your guide at Deenagh Lodge by St. Mary’s Cathedral and ride a private jaunting car through Killarney National Park. Guides such as Damien, Martin, Liam, and Jason share local stories as you pass Ross Castle, Lough Leane, Innishfallon, wildlife, and views toward Carrauntoohil.

“In spite of a little rain we were still accomodated with some last minute changes. Martin was a wonderful guide who was so personal, informative and entertaining! We loved the extra effort made to compensate for an orange level rainy day in Killarney!! Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus to Killarney National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · from $17Best value

Use a one-day English-language bus pass from Killarney town to Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, Muckross Traditional Farms, and Muckross Abbey. Drivers such as Kevin share helpful stop-by-stop advice, while the accessible service gives you freedom to explore without a car.

“We love the full tours but our favorite spot was the torc waterfalls and muckross house.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Tour Wicklow Mountains National Park in a limo with private guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Join local guide Dairine Nuttall for an eight-hour private tour from Dublin in a licensed Mercedes limousine. See Powerscourt Gardens, Wicklow Mountains National Park, and Glendalough, with time for walks, views, and local stories. Admission, lunch, and drinks cost extra.

“Dairine was the perfect guide, extremely knowledgeable and pleasant, true local who had great perspective.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Glenveagh National Park and Gaeltacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.)

Guide Henry takes your private group of up to seven from Donegal, Buncrana, or Letterkenny through Glenveagh National Park and northern Donegal. Expect mountain and coastal views, castle grounds, Gaeltacht culture, local stories, and optional visits to Glenveagh Castle and Crolly Distillery.

“Three Generations of family traveled to Ireland with our focus on Donegal. We highly recommend Donegal Tour Guide. Henry was fabulous. So incredibly knowledgeable and he knows everyone. He was extremely patient with 83 year old father-in-law who has been studying Irish for about 3 years. Henry answered all his questions. The area is incredibly beautiful. This is an incredible tour and we highly recommend it. You cannot go wrong with Henry. He is extremely professional and will cater tour to your interests.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Killarney National Park Jaunting Car Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 16 reviews · from $40

Take a one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride from Killarney town into the national park. You’ll pass St Mary’s Cathedral, Lough Leane, deer parks, Ross Castle, and views toward Inisfallen Monastery, with an English-speaking guide and return to Beech Road.

“I loved seeing all of the beautiful views and that day there was no rain so it made it even better!”

Check availability →Read our full review