- Traditional and nicely old-fashioned way to see the sights of Killarney.
- Eco-friendly touring.
- A relaxing experience.
- Prices can be high.
- Tours are not of constant quality.
- Some "jarveys" can be a bit too pushy.
- Local coachmen have been taking tourists around Killarney since Victorian times.
- Carts used are light, open and not necessarily comfortable.
- You are open to the elements, with a blanket being usually provided on cold and wet days.
They are everywhere in Killarney - those guys with their flimsy horse-drawn carts, offering their services as coachman-cum-tour guide. Usually looking out at tge world with a rather surly face, suddenly brightening up with the proverbial glint in their eyes when they spot an easy mark. Spelled t-o-u-r-i-s-t.
Every "jarvey" will promise you a great tour for a good price, sometimes doggedly following you unless you immediately hop onto his cart. Which can be a bit annoying. And a let-sown if you agree.
The tours are basically all the same: you will be carried around to local sights for an hour or two, stopping off for example at Muckross House for a look-see, finally being dropped off where you started. In between the driver will regale you with stories, anecdotes and local knowledge. Which can be great in moderately good weather. Or a disaster.
While the carts are uniformly uncomfortable to a varying degree, the owner-operators can be anything from witty and well-informed to bumbling and mumbling with a noted lack of enthusiasm. Which you will only notice when you have crossed their palms with silver and are at their mercy.
Recommended? Can be great, but feel free to shop around a bit, choosing the jarvey you actually like and understand. And outside the main season a tiny bit of haggling is allowable as well ...
