Overview
The inside of Ross Castle can only be seen on a guided tour – 15 people at a time, first-come-first-served, no booking – so in July and August the one useful piece of planning is to arrive for the first tour at 10am. The rest of the year you can usually just turn up. The castle itself rises from an inlet of Lough Leane at the western edge of Killarney National Park: a five-storey tower house built in the 15th century, probably late in it, by the O’Donoghue Mór clan and now looked after by the Office of Public Works.
History and legend
The O’Donoghues built here to control movement across the region, and the castle’s design shows it: thick walls, square bartizans on opposite corners, machicolations, and a bawn wall that once had round towers, two of which survive. In the 16th century the estate passed to the MacCarthy Mór family and was later leased to the Browne family, ancestors of the Earls of Kenmare.
Its best-known moment came in 1652, when Ross Castle was the last place in Munster to hold out against Cromwell’s forces. It surrendered only after Parliamentarian artillery was floated up the River Laune and onto Lough Leane by boat – which happened to fulfil a local prophecy that the castle would never fall until a warship sailed on the lake. After the war it served as a military barracks into the 19th century before being restored to its medieval form.
Folklore adds another layer. An O’Donoghue chieftain is said to have leapt from the highest window with his horse, his table and his library rather than surrender, vanishing into the lake to live in a palace beneath it. Every seven years, on the first morning of May, he is said to rise on a white horse across the water – catch a glimpse and you are promised good fortune for life.
Exploring the castle
The tour lasts about an hour and works its way up through the tower. The ground level has a heavy iron ‘yett’ gate and a murder hole, the aperture through which defenders dropped stones or hot liquid on anyone at the door. Above it are the spartan sleeping quarters of the castle staff, then the kitchen and guard room, and the chieftain’s private chamber under an arched stone vault that doubled as a firebreak. The great hall on the top floor frames the lake and the MacGillycuddy Reeks through its windows, and from the parapet you can trace the crenellations that once ringed the defence.
Wear sturdy shoes: there are around 70 steps on the tour, and the spiral stair is worn. Guidebooks are available in English, Irish, French, German and Italian.
Lakeside walks and cruises
The setting is as much of a draw as the tower. The Library Point Trail is a moderate 5 km loop through old woodland to open lake views, and it is one of the better places in the park to see red deer; the Coppermines Trail and the short walk out to Governor’s Rock start from the same shore.
The pier is the departure point for the water. The Lakes of Killarney cruise is a narrated hour on the water for around €17, often stopping at Innisfallen Island, where the ruins of a 7th-century monastery stand among ancient yew trees. The pier also feeds the Gap of Dunloe combination tour, pairing a boat crossing with the mountain pass, and private boats can be hired to explore the shoreline at your own pace.
Practical information and tips
Opening hours and admission Open early March to early November, daily. Tours are first-come, first-served with no pre-booking, so buy tickets at reception on arrival. Check the Heritage Ireland website for current pricing and any seasonal changes.
Getting there and parking Ross Castle is 2 km from Killarney town centre off the N71, with two free car parks about 100 m from the entrance. They fill quickly on summer weekends – another reason to come early. It is an easy cycle from town along the dedicated paths beside the Kenmare Road, or a walk through the National Park.
Accessibility The approach from the car park is a steep incline that can be difficult for visitors with mobility issues. The tower itself is not wheelchair accessible, but there is ground-floor access and a disabled toilet on site.
Before you go
- Bring rain gear; weather here turns fast, and the lakeside trails can be wet.
- In winter, high water levels can affect the car park and paths, so check the National Parks and Wildlife Service site first.
Do the 10am tour, then walk out to Library Point or take the next boat across to Innisfallen – the morning light on the lake is the best of the day, and you will be ahead of the coach crowds.