Park Explorer (Half Day Tour) New for 2025!
Ross Castle
Innisfallen Island
Dinis Cottage
Bricin Bridge
Meeting of the Waters
Muckross House
We've introduced our Park Explorer half day tour as a new option for 2025! Our half day tour includes a visit to Innisfallen island to see the 7th century monastic ruins, a spot of Eagle watching and drop off at the wonderful café at Dinis Cottage. From here, guests can walk to Muckross House for collection by the Killarney Big Red Bus (Hop on Hop off bus service).
Our tour starts at the bus stop on Mission Road in Killarney. The Big Red Bus leaves from here at 9.30am and begins the 10 minute trip to Ross Castle.
The boats depart at 10.30am from the front of Ross Castle. The first stop is Innisfallen Island where guests will have time to view the 7th Century Monastic ruins.
After departing Innisfallen, the boats will head towards the nearby mountain shore where our White Tailed Eagles have nested each year since their reintroduction in 2007. These Eagles are the biggest birds of prey in Europe and are an awesome sight to see in the wild.
Once the boats have departed the Lower Lake via Brickeen Bridge, it'll be on to the Muckross Lake and drop off at the wonderful café at Dinis Cottage.
The walk from Dinis Cottage to Muckross House is 5km or 3 miles and will take around 1hr 15mins to complete. The walk is mostly flat on a sealed road so no hiking boots required!
From Muckross House, the Big Red Bus leaves at regular intervals from the coach park next to the public toilets (1.02pm, 2.02pm, 3.02pm, 4.40pm, 5.30pm). Guests will have plenty of time to explore the area, do a tour of the House and have a bite to eat or a coffee at the beautiful Garden Restaurant.
9.30am The Big Red Bus departs the Mission Road Bus stop en route to Ross Castle (there won't be time for the interior Castle tour before boat departure).
10.15am Check in for the Boat Tour at the main stone pier in front of the Castle, ask for Rory and look for the green boats.
10.45am 15 minute stop at Innisfallen Island to view the ruins.
11.30am Arrival at Dinis Cottage to begin walk to Muckross House (5km).
From Muckross House there are regular departures (1.02pm, 2.02pm, 3.02pm, 4.40pm, 5.30pm) of the Big Red Bus for Killarney (around 15 minute drive).
Mission Road Bus stop just off Killarney town centre.
Dinis Cottage for walk to Muckross House and one of Numerous departures back to Killarney Town (1.02pm, 2.02pm, 3.02pm, 4.40pm, 5.30pm).
Warm clothes and waterproof jacket as it can be breezy on the Lake.
Bus ticket.
Boat tour.
Food and drink purchased at Dinis Cottage / Muckross House is not included in booking price, neither is a tour of the interior of Ross Castle or Muckross House.
9.30am at Mission Road Bus Stop
For the boat pickup at Ross Castle, the boats depart from the main stone pier on the Lake side of Ross Castle, just ask for Rory and look for the green boats.
The Big Red Bus will meet passengers at the bus stop next to the public toilets in the Muckross House car park. Departure times are as follows: 1.02pm, 2.02pm, 3.02pm, 4.40pm, 5.30pm.
Cancellations require at least 24hrs notice in advance of departure time.