Ladies View is the viewpoint that appears on postcards of Killarney. It sits high on the road between Killarney and Kenmare, on the southern edge of the national park, and looks down over the Upper Lake with its wooded islands and the Purple Mountain and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks rising in the distance. The name goes back to the visit of Queen Victoria in the nineteenth century, when her ladies in waiting are said to have been so taken by the scene that the place was named after them. A little further along the same road is Moll's Gap, a high pass named after a local woman who is said to have sold illicit whiskey to the workmen building the road, and from there the view opens out across the hills and the wide, empty valleys on the Kenmare side. Together they make the classic scenic drive from Killarney: lake and woodland at one end, bare mountain and bog at the other, with a series of lay-bys where you can stop to take it in. Neither stop costs anything, and both are on the route of most Ring of Kerry tours.
The view from Ladies View is at its best when the light is moving. On a clear morning the lake lies silver below you, the oak woods are dark green and the far mountains take on layers of blue, and on a showery day the cloud shadows sweep across the water in a way that explains why artists have been painting this scene for generations.
The viewpoint is a short walk from the car park, and there are benches, a small cafe and a craft shop beside it, so it is easy to turn a quick stop into a longer break. The road itself is part of the experience, climbing through the Killarney National Park through woods and past the Meeting of the Waters, and then out onto the open moor beyond.
Getting there is easiest by car, coach or tour, since the viewpoint is about twenty kilometres from Killarney and public transport does not serve it well. The road is a main route, but it is narrow and winding in places, and in summer it is busy with coaches, so drive carefully and use the lay-bys properly. Cyclists will find a long climb but wonderful scenery, and there is a walking route, the Old Kenmare Road, that follows an older track nearby for those who want to stretch their legs.
If you are on a day tour of the Ring of Kerry, you will almost certainly stop here without having to plan it, but if you are driving, allow thirty to forty five minutes for the viewpoint and the cafe, and longer if you want to continue to Moll's Gap and the Kenmare side.
What to know before you go
Weather changes quickly at this altitude, and cloud can sit on the hills and hide the view, so if the first attempt is a disappointment, try again later in the day or on another morning. Bring a jacket even in summer, because the wind can be sharp. The viewpoint is busiest between about eleven and three, when the tour coaches arrive, so go early or late if you want it quiet.
Wildlife is part of the scene too: red deer sometimes graze on the slopes, and buzzards and ravens ride the thermals above the lake. It is one of the most rewarding stops in Kerry for the least effort.
What to expect
The experience
A roadside viewpoint a short walk from the car park, with a cafe and craft shop, usually combined with a drive towards Moll's Gap and Kenmare.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, outside the middle of the day when the tour coaches stop.
How long
Thirty minutes to an hour, longer if you add the cafe and Moll's Gap.
Tips
Bring a jacket, be patient if cloud covers the view and use the lay-bys properly on the narrow, busy road.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers and anyone who wants the postcard view of the Lakes of Killarney.
- Families
- Only a short walk from the car park, so it works well as a break on a long drive.
- Couples
- Come in the evening light and watch the shadows move across the lake.
- Pair with
- Torc Waterfall, the Ring of Kerry day tour and Muckross House.
- Time needed
- Thirty to forty five minutes.
Good questions
Is Ladies View free?+
Yes, the viewpoint is free to visit. Any cost comes from what you buy at the cafe and craft shop, or from a tour that stops there.
Where is Ladies View?+
On the road between Killarney and Kenmare, on the southern edge of the national park, around twenty kilometres from Killarney.
How do I get there without a car?+
Most Ring of Kerry and Killarney day tours stop here, and a taxi or private driver can take you. Public transport does not serve the viewpoint well.
What is Moll's Gap?+
A high pass a little further along the same road, named after a local woman said to have sold whiskey to the road workers. It has wide views over the hills towards Kenmare.
When is the best time to go?+
Early morning or late afternoon, when it is quieter and the light is at its best. The middle of the day is busy with tour coaches.
