Why is it that sometimes when you tell people you are heading to Killarney they react by saying, “That tourist trap, what would you be going there for?” They presume that because the place is so popular it’s automatically tacky and downmarket.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Killarney is a gem of a town and has everything you could possibly want from a holiday or short break. Great walking and cycling, heritage, spectacular scenery, super food, entertainment and accommodation – Killarney has it all, with offers to match every size of pocket.

Good walk

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Recently Irish Country Living was a guest of the Muckross Park Hotel and Spa situated about 3km outside the town. The hotel and spa is right in front of the gates of Muckross House and Killarney National Park, so if walking is your thing it’s the perfect starting point.

If you like a good long walk (or cycle) that’s not too strenuous, then head into Muckross and take the path that skirts both Lough Leane and the Middle Lake. It will bring you past Muckross Abbey over Brickeen Bridge and on to Dinis Cottage. While there you can undo all your good work with a pot of tea and some of their delicious cakes and pastries.

The trail then crosses the N22 and heads for the magnificent Torc Waterfall from where you can make your way back to the hotel by way of Muckross House.

In a trap

If walking and cycling isn’t your thing or if the weather is not behaving, why not let Killarney’s famous jarveys show you around from the comfort of a tub trap or side-cart. A few years ago someone had the bright idea of putting covers on the traps, so now they can operate in all weathers.

On the morning of our jaunt, the rain was bucketing down but we were snug out wrapped in rugs and a waterproof blanket. The standard price of a jaunt is €40 for two to four people. After that it’s an additional €10 a head for each extra person.

For €40 we were taken to the grounds of Muckross House with a stop at Muckross Abbey, another stop at Muckross House and again at Torc Waterfall. You are given plenty of time to tour each location, and your jarvey will be there waiting for when you are ready to move on.

It’s such a relaxing way to tour some of Killarney’s best tourist attractions. The clip-clop of the horse’s hoofs, the bounce of the carriage and the softly spoken commentary of the jarvey would lull you into a state of total relaxation.

Spa day

Another way of relaxing is to spend time in the multi-award-winning thermal suite and spa at the Muckross Park Hotel. Imagine yourself in a lusciously warm, bubbling, outdoor hot tub with the rain teeming down. Follow this with 20 minutes in the herbal spa, a dip in the pool and a session in the steam room and all you will want to do is sleep for the rest of the day.

The thermal suite is free to hotel guests or if you are having treatments, otherwise it costs €30 for the day, with opening hours from 9am to 8pm. You really couldn’t get better value for €30.

The spa has a great range of treatments, using Pronovia Botanica and Flourish Organics products. Due to time constraints, I had a mini vitality neck and shoulder massage, which did wonders for a painful shoulder. The 50-minute version costs €90.

My only niggle with the spa is if you are there for the full day you can’t head to the bar or dining room for a bite to eat in your dressing gown. But it is only a small niggle in what otherwise was a lovely experience.

Best breakfast ever

I judge a hotel by the quality of its breakfast, and the breakfast here was out of this world. Eggs benedict in choux pastry, smoked salmon quiche along with pancakes and French toast is just a sample of what was on offer.

The hotel is committed to sourcing as many ingredients as possible from local suppliers, and their names are clearly displayed. So it’s no wonder that its Yew Tree Restaurant recently picked up the gold medal award for Ireland’s best Wild Atlantic Way restaurant.

Family time

There’s no shortage of things to do in Killarney – it’s a perfect starting point to tour the Ring of Kerry, walk the Gap of Dunloe or take in a show at the INEC. Between Muckross traditional gardens, Buddies play centre and several pet farms, there’s plenty to keep children entertained as well. There’s a great variety of good shops in the town and plenty of entertainment in the pubs at night. Killarney just has it all.

Contact

For more contact 064 662 3400 or check out www.muckrosspark.com