Killarney is the destination we’re asked for more than any other, and it’s easy to see why: it’s the gateway to the Ring of Kerry, it sits right on the edge of Killarney National Park, and it has one of the best concentrations of good hotels and restaurants anywhere in the south-west. A private transfer here isn’t just about avoiding a hire car. It’s about arriving relaxed after a journey that, done badly, can eat up half a day.
The Journey
We take the N22 west out of Cork through Ballincollig and Macroom, then climb into the hills around Ballyvourney before dropping down into Killarney from the east. It’s around 87 km and takes roughly 70 minutes without stops, which is noticeably faster and more direct than the train (that requires a change and typically runs closer to two hours city-centre to city-centre once you factor in waiting time). A private car also means no fixed departure time, so if your flight into Cork Airport lands late, or your meeting runs on, we simply adjust rather than you missing a connection.
Most of the route is straightforward dual carriageway or well-maintained national road, but the final stretch past Ballyvourney into the Derrynasaggart Mountains is genuinely scenic, especially in good light. Think of it as a small preview of the Kerry landscape you’re heading into.
The Experience on This Route
Killarney is so often the start of a longer stay, whether that’s a few nights in the town, days spent exploring the National Park, or a round of golf at Killeen or Mahony’s Point, that we treat this as more than a simple point-to-point transfer. If you’re arriving off a flight, we’ll track it and adjust pickup automatically. If you’re heading on to golf, we can fit clubs into the MPV without any bother. And if it’s an anniversary trip or another special occasion, we’re well used to taking things at a slightly slower pace with a stop for photos along the way.
We also do this route the other way round just as often, bringing guests from Killarney back to Cork Airport or Cork city once their Kerry stay is finished, so a return booking is just as straightforward as the outbound leg.
Along the Way
The N22 doesn’t force many stops, but there are a couple of worthwhile ones if your schedule allows: the viewpoint near Ballyvourney looks back over the valley and is a good five-minute stretch-your-legs stop, and Macroom itself is a pleasant market town if you’d like a coffee roughly halfway. If you’d prefer the slightly longer but more scenic option, we can route via Kenmare and approach Killarney from the south, which adds around 30 minutes but takes in some of the Ring of Kerry scenery a day early.
About Killarney
Killarney is a compact, well-appointed town that punches well above its size for hotels, restaurants and things to do within walking distance of the centre. It’s also home to some of Ireland’s best five-star properties, among them Aghadoe Heights, The Europe Hotel & Resort and The Killarney Park, so a “night in Killarney” can mean a genuinely five-star stay rather than a compromise. Killarney National Park, home to Muckross House and Gardens, Ross Castle and Lough Leane, sits right on the edge of the town itself, so it’s genuinely possible to arrive, check in and be walking through the park within the hour. It’s also close enough to Kenmare, Dingle and the Gap of Dunloe that a Killarney base works well for an extended stay in the south-west, with private transfers arranged for each onward leg. For golfers, both Killarney Golf & Fishing Club courses (Killeen and Mahony’s Point) are just a few minutes from the town centre, set along the lake with the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks as a backdrop.