13 Indoor Activities Killarney Offers For Rainy Days (2024)
Looking for all the best indoor activities Killarney has to offer?
Although Killarney is famous for its beautiful landscape, the tourist town still has a lot to offer, even on rainy days.
Ger and I were disappointed when our Carrauntoohil hike was canceled due to bad weather (this is the highest mountain in Ireland so you need good weather on your side!), but we found so many cool indoor activities to do in Killarney instead.
As you can see, we resembled wet rodents, so we decided to find all best indoor activities Killarney has to offer that didn’t involve us getting rained on all day.
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Side Note: Here Are Some Amazing Tours You Can Do Around Killarney!
Photo Credit: Viator
1. Visit The Taproom At Killarney Brewing & Distilling Company
The Taproom is a restaurant and bar located on Muckross Road in Killarney.
They offer delicious pizzas and locally made beers. You can try out a selection of Killarney craft beers or batch brews by ordering their Beer Flight.
This is a really unique way to experience the products of Killarney brewing and distilling.
You can either simply visit the Taproom for food and drinks or go on a jaunting car tour around Killarney first and finish up the tour with a pizza and a drink at the Taproom.
2. Check Out St. Mary’s Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of Killarney’s most stunning sites and definitely its most impressive piece of architecture.
Construction of the Cathedral began in 1855 but stopped several times and was finally completed in 1907.
The Cathedral is located at the end of New Street in Killarney, right beside the National Park.
The interior of the Cathedral is just as impressive as the exterior, and it is a great place to visit if the rain is stopping you from exploring the great outdoors of Killarney.
If the weather is good, you can park at the Cathedral and walk across the road to the National Park.
There are a lot of nice walking trails you can embark on from here.
My favourite is the circular walk!
It is a short walk but it offers stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney and the surrounding mountains.
You are also very likely to see some of the local deer roaming around this area too.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
3. Explore Killarney House
Killarney House and Gardens is another spectacular site on the doorstep of Killarney town.
The House and Gardens offer a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of town.
The beautiful gardens stretch away from Killarney House down to the rest of the National Park.
This is another great location to start your adventure around the many walking trails of the National Park.
Photo Credit: Viator
4. Try Out Some Irish Whiskey
Try out the whiskey-tasting boards at the Celtic Whiskey Bar and Larder with this Irish Whiskey Experience.
The Celtic Whiskey Bar and Larder is located in the heart of Killarney town.
This is a great way to experience different types of whiskey and learn about the process of whiskey distilling.
If you want to head outside Killarney and try out some more food and drinks, then check out this Artisan Food Distillery and Brewery Tour.
Photo Credit: Tripadvisor
5. Go To A Concert At The INEC
Another great way to spend an evening indoors is to go to a concert!
Why not go to one of the many music, dance or comedy shows held at Ireland’s largest multipurpose events venue?
The INEC Arena hosts world-class concerts and events all year round.
It has a large capacity and regularly hosts national and international acts.
Some of the most notable acts that have performed here are Riverdance, Niall Horan, Tom Jones and Snow Patrol.
Photo Credit: Tripadvisor
6. Shop Till You Drop!
The Killarney Outlet Centre is the shopping centre of Killarney. There are many other shops located along the main streets in town but the Outlet Centre has many of the most popular shops altogether in one location.
It is a great place to go shopping, chill out or simply wander around on a rainy day.
The Outlet Centre has some popular shops such as JD Sports and DV8.
Also, the bus station is located at the Outlet Centre and the train station is right next door so it’s a great place to pass the time while waiting for your bus or train.
Photo Credit: Tripadvisor
7. Make Your Way Out Of An Escape Room
Escape Killarney was the first ever live escape room game in Kerry.
They host groups of 2 to 12 people. You have to solve puzzles, riddles and cyphers, find clues and figure out how to escape.
This is one of the most fun activities in Killarney. It is suitable for over 13s and can host parties, stags and hens.
8. Learn How To Cook Delicious Irish Cuisine!
Just Cooking is a small cookery school that provides an exciting and educational day out.
They offer a number of demonstrations and hands-on classes where you can learn how to cook fish, modern Irish cuisine, barbeque and baking.
This is one of the most interesting Killarney indoor activities. It is a great way to learn more about cooking and an interesting way to spend an evening!
9. Relax At The Spa
The Muckross Park Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in Killarney National Park.
One of the most luxurious ways to enjoy a rainy day in Killarney is by relaxing at the spa at the Muckross Park Hotel.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
10. Watch A Movie At Cinema Killarney
Going to the cinema is without doubt one of the most popular indoor activities in Killarney. There are two cinemas to choose from (Cinema Killarney and Killarney Omniplex) so you are spoiled for choice!
Ger and I love going to the cinema, especially when it’s raining, because we try to make the most of the outdoors when it’s dry!
And cinema popcorn is so much nicer than the microwave popcorn we make at home.
Also, if you’re looking for kids activities in Killarney, going to the cinema is a great way to spend time together.
Cinema Killarney even offers discounted prices on certain movies for the ‘Kids Club’, check out their website for more information on this.
Photo Credit: Booking.com
11. Dance To Traditional Irish Music At Buckley’s Bar
Located at The Arbutus Hotel, Buckley’s Traditional Bar is one of the best places to experience Irish ‘trad’ music in Killarney.
Killarney has so many great bars and restaurants and live music by local musicians can be heard almost every night of the week.
If you’re looking for traditional Irish music, then Buckley’s Traditional Bar is the place to be!
12. Go For A Luxurious Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea is another luxurious option for a rainy day in Killarney. Many of the hotels offer afternoon tea.
Ger and I went for afternoon tea in the Brehon. It is a beautiful hotel on Muckross Road, beside the INEC.
It was the most amazing setting for afternoon tea with open fires and a pianist playing in the background.
You can read more about afternoon tea in Killarney here.
13. Visit Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
Muckross House is a stunning building located within Killarney National Park. The house and gardens are located on the edge of Muckross Lake.
You can tour Muckross House and see its beautiful interior design and furnishings.
The Traditional Farms also offer the opportunity to see what rural life and farming were like in Killarney in the past.
Indoor Activities Near Killarney:
Go Bowling With Your Buddies
If you want to go bowling you can head back to Bowling Buddies in Tralee. This is a great place for parties or groups to hang out and have fun.
Swim In The Aqua Dome
The Aqua Dome is a swimming pool in Tralee with large waterslides. This is another great place to bring kids or parties.
Check Out The Kerry County Museum
The Kerry County Museum is located in the Ashe Memorial Hall in Tralee. The Museum explores the history of Kerry from the Irish Revolution to Antarctica Expeditions. It is a really fascinating museum.
Photo Credit: Booking.com
Where To Stay In Killarney:
Luxury: The Europe Hotel and Resort
Description: The Europe Hotel and Resort is considered one of the fanciest hotels in Kerry. It has an amazing spa and brilliant restaurants.
Amenities: 3 swimming pools, 3 restaurants, spa, golf course nearby, free parking.
Local Attractions:
Price: €420 per night
Photo Credit: Booking.com
Value: The Victoria Killarney
Description: The Victoria is a 4-star contemporary boutique hotel on Muckross Road in Killarney. The hotel’s location makes it a great base for exploring the beautiful Killarney National Park.
Amenities: free parking, free WiFi, hot tub, bicycle rental, bar, restaurant.
Local Attractions:
Price: €150 per night
Glamping: Killarney Glamping At The Grove
Description: This Killarney Glamping site is located in Ballycasheen, just a 5-minute drive from the town centre. There are romantic suites, luxury lodges and Cabins to choose from.
Ger and I actually stayed in this beautiful Cabin in Killarney. It was so cosy!
Amenities: private bathroom, toiletries, kitchenette, double beds, heating, air-conditioning, BBQ facilities, free parking.
Local Attractions:
Price: €109 per night
More On Local Attractions:
Killarney National Park:
Killarney National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. It is renowned for its beautiful lakes, stunning mountains and amazing scenery.
A stroll around Killarney National Park sounds so simple yet it is one of the most popular activities Killarney has to offer.
You can do so much within Killarney National Park from visiting Muckross House and Gardens, hiking up Torc Mountain or even kayaking out on the Lakes of Killarney.
The Ring Of Kerry:
The Ring of Kerry is an incredible scenic drive around the southwest of Ireland. The drive takes you from Killarney, through Kenmare and along the southwest coastline.
The scenery of the Irish landscape along this route is hard to beat.
The Dingle Peninsula:
The Dingle Peninsula has so much to offer. Tourists are blown away by the scenery around Dingle Bay, Mount Brandon and around the Slea Head drive.
The fishing town of Dingle offers so much fresh, delicious food that it rivals some of the top restaurants.
The beaches around the Dingle Peninsula are also some of the best in the world.
FAQs On Indoor Activities Killarney:
What To Do With Kids In Killarney When It’s Raining?
If you’re wondering what to do with kids in Killarney when it’s raining, the best place to go is the swimming pool. There are some great options for swimming pools in Killarney. Many of the hotels have swimming pools or you could also go to ‘the Aura’, the local leisure centre.
What To Do In Kerry When It’s Raining?
Although Kerry is known for its stunning coastline, mountains and Killarney National Park, there is so much to do in Kerry when it’s raining. Here’s a list of the top things to do in Kerry when it’s raining.
3. Aqua Dome
4. Crag Cave
What’s In Killarney For Kids?
There are lots of amazing kids activities Killarney has to offer, from indoor to outdoor activities here are some of the best places to take your kids in Killarney:
2. Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
4. Ross Castle
6. Killarney Sports And Leisure Centre
Where Do Locals Go In Killarney?
Every traveller wants to do as the locals do, so here is a list of where locals go in Killarney:
1. Killarney National Park – immerse yourself in nature.
2. MacGillycuddy’s Reeks – Climb Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil.
3. Ring of Kerry – Drive around the famous route.
4. Murphy’s of Killarney – Enjoy the traditional Irish pub scene.
Now that you know the best indoor activities Killarney has to offer you can visit Killarney no matter what the weather is like.
There’s so much to do in Killarney around the lakes and surrounding area that you would easily forget about all the indoor activities.
Ger and I love going to the cinema and this is a great indoor activity that most towns have but we were amazed at how many other fun activities Killarney has for us to choose from!
If you want to find out more about things to do in Killarney check out the posts below.
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