Wanting to rent bikes for the day to tour the national park. Who to rent from? What to expect for price? Will have two teens, and the most they have ever ridden in a day is 19 miles. Thoughts on any of this? This will be our one day in the Killarney area. We will skip the Ring of Kerry and just do the park. Other must see locations? Good places to eat w/in biking distances? (Have a gluten free teen.) Waterfalls vs. Muckross Castle? Should we reserve ahead of time, given it is summer?
Thanks!
I believe bikes rent for around 15-20 euros a day. We've never rented bikes but friends have through a company I think is called "Killarney rent a bike". I think a Google search would find them. Sounds like fun - it's a very pretty area - though I'd hate to pass up the south side of the Ring of Kerry.
Muckross really isn't a castle it's a manor house from the early 1840's. Which I think in Ireland still qualifies as new ! :) It's pretty and all with beautiful grounds but it's not remotely a medieval castle if that's what you are looking for.
There is Ross Castle from the late 1400's thats cool. That's a remarkable tower house. Fun to visit. Still I'd rather go to Torc waterfall. It's really pretty. But we prefer nature and old ruins to manor homes. To each their own. Have fun......the area is awesome though Killarney, the town itself, is a tourist quagmire.
We rented bikes from the parking lot across the street from our hotel which was right by the entrance to the Park. They gave us a map and it was great. We rented 4 bikes for 60 or so Euros. We bilked to Muckross as well as Torc waterfall. We had great fun. The park is gorgeous and there are paths with no cars just cyclists and jaunty carts
Kim,
There is great cycling in the park! It's not too challenging, either, as they are the same paths the jaunting cars go on (the horse and carts). Do check out that you can take the bike's on a boat to the top of the lakes and cycle down.... fantastic!! It's a huge place so figure out where you want to go, ahead of time!
As stated above, there are many places to rent. My personal favorite is Lyne's at the gas station near the Dromhall Hotel/Ross Castle road. Here's why: Blaine, who owns it, also runs a car wash. I left a bag in my rental car with 300 euros in it, and no i.d. He - get this - took the zip drive that was in the bag home, dug through the photos, and found a photo with my name on it i used for a business card. He tracked me down and got me my 300 euros back!!! What a gem!
Blaine at - Lyne's Rent-a-Bike +353-88-911-9917 or locally in Ireland (087) 911 9917
Dinis Cottage Tea Room is a cafe on the trail, near one of the small docks on the lake (near "meeting of the waters"). It's a great spot for lunch on your cycle. Getting gluten free in Ireland is EASY as they have one of the highest rates of celiac disease in Europe...
Susan
Expat living in Waterville/Ring of Kerry/Skellig Coast
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Thank you, Susan! My kids would love the bike/boat combo. I think the park is probably going to be my favorite day, or exploring Dingle and her beaches. The other highlights for us (we will keep it low key) are Galway, Ashford Castle, and Giant's Causeway. Anything you want to add on those?
Thank you!
Kim
I love the Giant's Causeway!! But check ahead of time - I discovered last time I was there that they were filming the day before and it had been closed! Game of Thrones, I think..... I would have been REALLY ticked off if the day I wanted to go there it was closed!! That's the entire reason I went North.....
Inch Beach just got best beach in Ireland. I think it's over crowded and the trash on it the last times I was there was horrible (washing up from the sea, not from people littering). I recommend the beach near Cloghane - I can't find the name of it!! But it's absolutely stunning!!! and not nearly as touristy as Inch......
Susan
Expat living in Waterville/Ring of Kerry & Skellig Coast
Thanks, Susan!
