When visiting Killarney, the tourist capital of County Kerry, Ireland, a tour in one of the ‘tour cars’ is almost a must. Or so the brochures, the guides and also dozens of “jarveys” (the owner-operators of these light passenger cars, pulled by a single horse) would have you believe.
And indeed, on a calm day, a large number of coachmen may approach you to offer their services. Of course, each and every jarveys offer an extensive tour in their car, lots of local knowledge, and a very decent price to boot.
It’s a case of caution , or “buyer beware,” though, as not all tours are really up to the task, and some car tours or mumbling jarryys can make you feel somewhat short.
In one word
On the bright side, this is a very traditional and enjoyable way to see many of the sights Killarney has to offer (and a good way to relax and unwind). One could call it eco-tourism, as the carbon footprint is minimal, and only on foot will be less stress on the ecosystem. It is certainly a relaxing experience, and if you have a good jarvey, he will also tell you all kinds of stories (some of them quite tall) about the places you pass, which can be part of Killarney National Park or even the famous Ring of Kerry .
That said, everything may not turn out as optimistic as it sounds. In the main tourist season, prices can be high, and because everyone and their grandfather are trying to make hay while the sun is shining, the tours are not of consistent quality. There is no quality control, no “jarvey diploma.” And when offering their services, some of the jarveys may be too aggressive for our liking.
However, what you will get is a slice of Killarney tradition. Local coaches have been taking tourists around town since Victorian times, and not much has changed since then. The carts used are still light, open to the elements, and not necessarily comfortable. A blanket will be provided on cold, wet days, but the ride will still be nervous and (depending on the number and size of passengers in your group) it can feel a bit cramped. On the other hand, all of this can be tremendous fun.
Reseña de Killarney’s Jaunting Car Tours
This is the one Killarney attraction that you just can’t miss. In a very literal sense, you can’t miss them, as they are everywhere in Killarney: those guys with their flimsy horse-drawn carts, offering their services as coach guides. Very often looking at the world in general, and its prospects of gaining a particular scab, with a rather sullen face, a stoic horse by its side … Jarveys tend to suddenly rejoice, take on the proverbial gleam in their Irish eyes, and they come back eloquent.
They have seen an easy mark and it is spelled tourist.
Here’s the thing to watch out for: Every single Jarvey plying their trade on the streets of Killarney promises you a great tour, heck, even the best tour, and all for a good price. Sometimes they will even stubbornly follow you unless you immediately jump into their cart, which can be a bit annoying and disappointing if you agree too quickly.
You should buy value as the car tours the jarveys offer are basically the same. They will drive you to local sights for an hour or two, stopping for example at Muckross House for a panoramic tour, and finally leaving you where you started. In the midst of all this, the driver will gift you with stories, anecdotes and local knowledge, with a song at times, which can be great in moderately good weather (or a disaster).
While cars are uniformly uncomfortable to varying degrees, owner-operators can be anything from resourceful and knowledgeable to clumsy and muttering with a notable lack of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, you will most likely notice it only after you have crossed your palms with silver and are at its mercy.
So do the right thing – approach the jarveys safely, ask about their services (where do they go? How long will the tour take? What places will it stop?) And their price. If everything looks good to you, get on. If you only understood half of what “your man” said, you may want to hire a more articulate person. As for the price: ask at the tourist office what the current rate is, and maybe ask for some jarveys when staying the night before. Then you will have a better idea if they have had you.
Always expect to pay around € 40 for one hour and € 60 for two hours, with up to four people in a car.
Recommendation
Can we recommend a driving tour around Killarney? Yes, they can be a lot of fun, but we really recommend that you feel free to shop around, choose the jarvey that you really like and understand. And outside of the main season, a bit of haggling is allowed as well. When we did the tour in October, the jarvey left a cool 33% after acting a bit hesitant, after offering us what amounts to a standard fair.
