Jaunting Car Tour Killarney National Park: Muckross Abbey

Glide through hidden trails and lakeside views in a covered horse-drawn carriage

A jaunting car tour through Killarney National Park takes you by horse and carriage to Muckross Abbey and along routes inaccessible by regular vehicle, with a professional guide providing on-board commentary. The covered carriage keeps passengers warm and dry, and parking is free; the tour runs about an hour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Killarney National Park by Jaunting Car

• Travel through Killarney National Park
• See stunning views of Killarney lakes
• Visit ancient yew tree at Muckross Abbey

The Experience

The jaunting car—a traditional Irish horse-drawn carriage—reaches parts of Killarney National Park that cars cannot. You travel through the UNESCO-listed park to Muckross Abbey, a 15th-century ruin where an ancient yew tree grows up through the stone floor inside the building itself. The route takes in lake views across Killarney's largest lake, backed by the Kerry Mountains. A live guide provides the history and context as you move through the park.

The carriage is roofed and fitted with woolen blankets, which matters on the cooler or wet days that are common in southwest Ireland. You're sheltered without being sealed off from the landscape. Free parking is included, and the whole outing runs about an hour, so it fits easily into a morning or afternoon without eating the rest of your day.

Small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants sit on an adult's lap or in a specialized infant seat. Service animals are welcome. The tour suits all fitness levels since you're sitting the entire time.

What’s included

• Professional guide with on-board commentary and history.
• covered carriage with woolen blankets.
• free parking.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by McCarthys Killarney Carriage Rides

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with a small group or family and want to move through the park at a slower pace than a bus allows—the jaunting car reaches narrow paths and remote corners, and the covered seating keeps children and older travelers comfortable in changeable weather.

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Top questions

What exactly is a jaunting car and why can it go where regular cars can't?

A jaunting car is a traditional Irish horse-drawn carriage with bench seating along the sides. The narrow, lightweight design lets it travel on paths and trails through Killarney National Park that are closed to motor vehicles, reaching remote parts of the park and the abbey that you'd miss from a road tour.

Will I actually see Muckross Abbey up close, or just pass by it?

Muckross Abbey is a stop on the route, and the tour specifically highlights the ancient yew tree growing from inside the ruined building—one of the most distinctive features of the site. The guide provides the history and context while you're there.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The carriage has a roof and sides to keep you dry, and woolen blankets are provided on board. The tour runs in rain or cooler weather, which is why it's described as a good activity for rainy days in Killarney.

How long does the tour take, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs about an hour. Included are the professional guide, on-board commentary and history, free parking, and all fees and taxes. Gratuities are not included.

Can I bring my baby or toddler on the jaunting car?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available. Small children can ride in a pram or stroller, which you can bring aboard.