Cyclists looking to explore Killarney National Park by bicycle are facing a significant hurdle due to limited capacity on Irish Rail services.

One of the main entrances to the national park is less than one kilometre from Killarney Railway Station.
Currently there are only two designated bicycle spaces are available on each Intercity train service into town.
With the growing popularity of cycling in general and the opening of greenways like the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways and the upcoming completion of the South Kerry Greenway, concerns are rising about the ability of tourists to combine cycling holidays with train travel.
This issue, highlighted by Kerry Councillor Michael Cahill, restricts access for cyclists arriving by train and is forcing cycling enthusiasts to arrive in Kerry by car, adding to the already woeful traffic issues.
“This limitation on bicycle capacity on trains effectively cuts off a viable public transport option for many cyclists,” said Cahill. “Individuals who miss out on booking these limited slots or families traveling with multiple bikes are left without a convenient way to reach the greenways.”
Irish Rail’s website acknowledges the restriction, advising travellers to book online in advance. However, Councillor Cahill said that this solution is insufficient, especially considering the surge in interest in cycling tourism.
He has called upon Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Irish Rail to address the issue urgently. Increased capacity for bicycles on trains is seen as essential to fully support the growth of greenway tourism in Kerry.