Top Killarney Horseback Riding

Explore Killarney National Park the traditional way, by horse and carriage, which is known locally as a “Killarney jaunting car.” You’ll ride in the carriage with woollen blankets to keep you warm on cooler days, and enjoy a scenic route around the Muckross Park Estate to the historic Muckross Abbey. Even better: The experience is private, so you’ll ride with just your personal group.

Jaunting Car Tour in Killarney National Park

Discover the highlights of Ireland's oldest national park—and enjoy a one-of-a-kind way to explore—on this private horse and carriage tour. Pick from multiple departure times throughout the day, meet your guide at St. Mary's Cathedral in Killarney, and hop aboard. During your tour, you'll see lakes and mountains, will explore routes that are closed to cars, and can even go for a tour of the 15th-century Ross Castle (additional expense).

McCarthys Killarney carriage ride and jaunting car tour

Killarney National Park Tour

Get up close and personal with Killarney National Park's spectacular scenery on a horseback riding tour. Pick between morning and afternoon tour times, and make your own way to the stables near Killarney Town. Grab your helmet and boots, saddle up, and head into nature. You'll ride along Lough Lein, will admire soaring mountains and rolling hills, and can learn more about the highlights of Ireland's first national park.

Killarney National Park Horseback Ride. Co Kerry. Guided. 2 hours.

Killarney National Park Horseback Ride. Co Kerry. Guided. 2 hours.

2 hoursFree Cancellation

The light horse-drawn carriages known as “jaunting cars” used to be key to getting around Ireland, and today they add a uniquely Irish flavor to both photos and excursions. See the sights the traditional way when you book these private jaunting car tours. One route centers the Lakes of Killarney; the other focuses on Kenmare House grounds and Ross Castle. Both collect and drop off at central Killarney hotels.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours in Killarney

1 Hour Guided Carriage Tour in Killarney National Park

Combination Killarney Jaunting Car Tour and Lakes of Killarney Cruise

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

Do as the tourists of bygone years did, and explore Killarney by horse and carriage. The equivalent to a modern taxi, the jaunting car was popular in Ireland through the 19th and early 20th centuries. On this tour, you’ll learn about the area’s history, hearing tales of the Gaelic chieftains as you ride around Killarney National Park. Ross Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Killarney House Gadens are a few of the landmarks on the route.

15 Century Ross Castle on the shore of Lough Lein

Killarney Jaunting Car Tour- Park to Castle

Killarney Jaunting Car Tour

Explore Killarney at an easy pace with a private jaunting car ride led by a local guide. Traveling by horse-drawn carriage avoids long walks while giving direct access to the park’s highlights, from oak woodlands to Ross Castle. Along the way, gain insights into Killarney’s history and heritage. The tour concludes with a full afternoon tea including coffee and/or tea, providing both a cultural tradition and a relaxed finish to your visit.

Private Jaunting Tour and Afternoon Tea in Killarney

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Experience Ireland’s stunning Gap of Dunloe mountain pass and beautiful Killarney National Park by bus and boat on this tour from Killarney. Skip the planning involved in exploring independently, and admire the scenery on a bus to Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the gap entrance. Then, choose to walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride (own expense) through the pass before enjoying a guided boat tour around Killarney's lakes and rivers.

Gap of Dunloe Tour (Boat & Bus)

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

Experience Killarney’s old-time charms the old-fashioned way in a horse carriage, or jaunting car, with your own personal “jarvey” driver/guide. Trot through the grounds of 15th-century Ross Castle, get a taste of Killarney National Park, and see sights including the cathedral and Lough Leane lake. Wrap up with a quintessentially modern experience: pizza and craft beer at the Killarney Brewing Company.

The Best of Killarney Brews & Views

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Discover the best of Killarney National Park's dramatic, UNESCO-preserved scenery—and enjoy a new way to explore the park—on this small-group horseback riding tour. Make your own way to the departure point in the morning, grab your helmet and boots, and set off. Over the course of several hours, you immerse yourself in the landscapes, see highlights like Lough Lein, admire the rolling mountains, and more.

Killarney National Park Horseback Ride. Co Kerry. Guided. 3 hours.

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Ride through Killarney National Park on a guided horseback adventure. Explore forests, mountains, and lakes while your experienced guide leads you along scenic trails. Suitable for all skill levels, this trek offers stunning views of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Lough Lein and a chance to experience Ireland’s natural beauty up close. This price per person applies to groups of at least 4 people. For smaller groups, a surcharge applies.

Ireland, Killarney National Park: Horseback Adventure

2 hoursFree Cancellation

5% savings

from

$149$141

Enjoy the best Killarney National Park has to offer without the large step count or worry about rain on a tour in a weather-proof Jaunting Car. Learn about Ireland's history as you visit thatched cottages and medieval Ross Castle. Then soak up the ambience of a traditional Irish pub–a must on any trip to Ireland—and enjoy a guided whiskey tasting and cheese pairing, so you'll leave feeling like a pro.

Whiskey & Wonders in Killarney

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Killarney National Park Tour

Must-Dos in Killarney

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What are people saying about Killarney

Trisha_K, Oct 2026

Amazing tour!

We had an amazing tour with Damien and Duke. Damien was a great guide and very knowledgeable about the area and history. Would highly recommend getting a tour from Damien! It’s a great way to see the park and learn about Killarney. He was also super helpful with other spots to visit on our travels. Wish we could have stayed longer ❤️ but will definitely be back.

Killarney National Park Horseback Ride. Co Kerry. Guided. 2 hours.

killdaspiders, Aug 2026

It was absolutely...

It was absolutely beautiful! The park is stunning and we saw plenty of deer. The views from the top hill down to the lake is worth the whole ride honestly! Cookie was a lovely horse, the guides were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and THANKFULLY we were split into smaller groups and I was with people who could mostly ride. There was one other experienced rider in the group so we were able to do some lovely trot sets in spots! Not just your average ‘nose to tail’ ride which I was supremely grateful for. Not sure if the inexperienced group did trot sets so I’m not sure if it’s standard but it was definitely a welcome relief for an experienced rider!

Jaunting Car Tour in Killarney National Park

Jason_R, Aug 2026

Beautiful scenery

Damien (driver) and Daisy (horse) made this an unforgettable experience as part of our stay in Killarney. Damien was extremely knowledgeable and provided so much great information both historical and present day. I would strongly recommend this to anyone looking for aa way to enhance their visit to the area.

Killarney National Park Horseback Ride. Co Kerry. Guided. 1 hour.

Candy_M, Aug 2026

Horseback in Kilarney a MUST DO!

Fantastic! 2 of our group of 4 had never ridden. The people running the stables were awesome, they made sure everyone was comfortable and on the appropriate horses. The horses were fantastic as well. Very experienced and the views of kilarney national park are fantastic. HIGHLY recommend!!

Gap of Dunloe Tour (Boat & Bus)

James_G, Apr 2026

This was great fun and a...

This was great fun and a good day out activity. Just remember that the walk rolls straight into the boat ride so make sure you pack appropriate clothing. It’s a good 11km walk and then you sit on the boat so carry some extra warm kit if the weather isn’t great. Also everything on the tour is cash only.