Killarney, Ireland – Quick Getaway

With our trip around the world immediately following our wedding, we are calling this our “one year honeymoon.” Well, nothing quite screams “honeymoon” like a set of bunk beds residing in what I could
only assume was a former closet. Myself, not doing the typical backpacking through Europe after college and not ever staying in a hostel, joked about us potentially being stuck in bunk beds on our overnight in Killarney. As the door to our room swung open, that joke, to Megan’s dismay, became a reality.

Where we stayed

Despite the bunk beds, our first night in a hostel was actually not too bad! We stayed in Neptune hostel which is in a great location with easy access to and from the bus station. The hostel itself was clean and the front desk staff was friendly. The kitchen and sitting area was spacious and fully equipped. People from all ages (including a baby) and nationalities were working beside each other to make their own version of ” the backpacker dinner”. Megan and I opted for the easier option of a bottle of wine and a pizza from across the street.

Killarney Brewing Company

It wouldn’t be travel for us if one of our first stops wasn’t a brewery. Only a short walk from Neptune hostel was Killarney Brewing Company. With the option to have a flight, a half pint, or pint and not drive, admittedly we had them all. We arrived too early to try their crispy wood fired pizza, but
their beers were all tasty, offering a wide range of styles. My favorite of the lot was the Scarlet Pimpernel IPA. It was bursting with hops and with subtle citrus notes. All the beers are named after local myths and legends which only adds to the enjoyment of the experience.

Entertainment

Something a little out of the ordinary, at least for us, was a visit to the Cue Club Killarney. This club was located down an alley just off main street where it offered opportunities to play snooker, pool, cards, and slots. Megan and I were looking for an activity that didn’t involve more bar stools or feeding our faces and this did the trick. For just €7 a hour you can learn the game of snooker. The gentleman behind the counter was happy to give a run down of the rules of the game. It took us a little while to remember how to keep score, but it was definitely worth trying and a fun learning experience.

There is no shortage of pubs to spend your money in, so you would just have to pick which one (or few) looks good to you. Our first choice was Jack C’s – a no frills pub with a ton of character, not only from the establishment but also from the locals that passed through for their daily pints. The bar was tended by a sweet and chatty grandma while her grandson showed us his hurling stick skills.

After our first round of pints, we took a short dinner break back at our hostel. We picked up a pizza from Piccolo Pizza which is touted as being the very best in Killarney. With its high-quality ingredients we had to agree. After dinner it was time to head out for some more fun. There are plenty of pubs in Killarney with live music. We chose a small pub with a talented young lady and her guitar. Her immaculate rendition of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” lured us in from the street.

If there is a major horse race going on back home, like any part of the triple crown, there are a couple of bookie parlors off the main drag where you can place your bets. We lost a few dollars betting on the Preakness, but that’s the cost of having high hopes!

A few traditional Irish songs and sloshing our pints around later, we called it a night and returned to our hostel. If you are looking for a good night cap, consider heading to the Celtic Whiskey Bar where you can choose the “mystery whiskey” for only €5. It’s essentially just across the street from Neptune Hostel which means you won’t have to stumble too far back to your bed.

Tip: On Sunday mornings after checkout almost all of the shops are closed -including fast food. If you’ve been eyeing the local donuts, don’t wait until your way out of town to grab one or you will be disappointed.

Our time in Killarney was short-lived but we fully enjoyed ourselves, much like we did in Dublin.

Cheers friends,

Matt + Megan