Is it worth booking Ross Castle in advance?

Walk-up entry is usually possible, but booking in advance secures your preferred time slot and avoids queues in peak season (June–August).

How much does it cost to visit Ross Castle?

Standard adult admission is €6. Guided experiences start from €20 per person.

How long does a visit to Ross Castle take?

Allow 1.5–2 hours for a comfortable visit. Arriving early in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid the busiest periods in summer.

When is Ross Castle open?

Daily 10:00–18:00 (Mar–Oct); weekends only (Nov–Feb)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

All Attractions

Heritage

Ross Castle

Co. Kerry · 1.5–2 hours

Ross Castle stands on a rocky promontory on the shore of Lough Leane, the largest of the three Killarney lakes, within Killarney National Park. The tower house was built in the late 15th century by O'Donoghue Mór, chieftain of this part of Kerry, and represents the dominant architectural form of late medieval Gaelic Ireland — a tall defensive tower rising from a walled bawn (enclosure).

The castle has a particular historical significance as the last stronghold in Munster to surrender to Cromwellian forces — it held out until 1652, two years after most of the country. The prophecy that said Ross Castle would never be taken by land prompted the Cromwellian commander Ludlow to bring his artillery by boat across Lough Leane; the prophecy was technically fulfilled and the garrison promptly surrendered. The castle was restored by the OPW in the 1990s and furnished to represent a 16th-century tower house.

The location is as much the attraction as the castle itself. Lough Leane stretches north and east from the promontory; the Killarney mountains frame the western shore; the lower lake's wooded islands — Ross Island, Innisfallen (with its 7th-century monastery) — are accessible by rowing boat. The traditional Killarney jaunting car route runs from the castle gates.

Highlights

The last Munster stronghold to surrender to Cromwell (1652) — a rare example of genuine resistance in the castle's history
Lough Leane from the promontory — the largest of the three Killarney lakes, with the MacGillycuddy's Reeks behind
Innisfallen Island (accessible by rowing boat) — ruins of a 7th-century monastery visible from the castle shore
OPW-furnished interior showing a 16th-century tower house lifestyle — guided tours of the original rooms
Jaunting car routes from the castle gates into Killarney National Park — the traditional local way to explore

Good to know

→Guided tours of the interior run on the hour and are the only way to see the furnished rooms.
→Rowing boats for hire at the castle pier — Innisfallen Island is 10 minutes across the water and has a picnic-worthy shore.
→The Ross Island copper mines (Bronze Age, OPW, free) are a 15-minute walk from the castle — good add-on.
→Arrive early or late — tour buses fill the car park between 11am and 3pm in summer.
→The walk back along the lakeshore to Killarney town (5 km) is excellent — through old oak woodland with mountain views.

Best Time to Visit

Apr–Oct; boat trips to Innisfallen Island run Jun–Aug and book out early in the day. The castle interior requires a guided tour — last entry 45 minutes before closing. Jaunting cars to the castle depart from Killarney town year-round.

Getting There

KIRKerry

25 min drive

ORKCork

1 hr 40 min drive

Common questions

How much does Ross Castle cost?

Adult entry to Ross Castle is around €5 (2025), operated by the OPW. The OPW Heritage Card covers entry. Tours of the interior run throughout the day and are included in the ticket price. The castle grounds and lakeside walk are free to access.

What is the boat trip from Ross Castle?

Boat trips from Ross Castle pier take visitors across Lough Leane to Innisfallen Island, the site of a 7th-century monastery where the Annals of Inisfallen — a chronicle of Irish history — were written. Trips run in summer and take about 1 hour return. Book through the castle visitor centre or on arrival at the pier.

How do I get to Ross Castle from Killarney?

Ross Castle is 2km from Killarney town centre — walkable in 25 minutes along the lakeside path through the national park, or a short drive with free parking at the castle. The lakeside walk is recommended: it is through oak woodland with views over Lough Leane and is one of the best approaches to any castle in Ireland.

What is the history of Ross Castle?

Ross Castle was built in the late 15th century by the O'Donoghue Ross clan as their stronghold on the shores of Lough Leane. It was the last Munster castle to hold out against Cromwellian forces — it finally surrendered in 1652. According to local legend, an ancient prophecy said the castle could never be taken by land, so Cromwell's forces floated cannon across the lake by barge to force the surrender.