Derrycunnihy Falls – a picturesque Killarney National Park cascade

Summary: Derrycunnihy Falls in the Killarney National Park is a picturesque cascade reached via a short hike from the N71 (Ring of Kerry) road.

How to get there: N71 (Ring of Kerry) – layby / Derrycunihy Church
Walking distance to waterfall: 0.8km (return)
Duration: <1 hour
Grade: Easy
Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge
Waterfall Rating: 4/5
Height of falls: 2m

Sometime called a “secret waterfall” as the trail is not signposted from the main road through Killarney National Park, Derrycunnihy Falls is a small but very picturesque cascade. And you’ll probably enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the waterfall without anyone else around!

The wide waterfall is situated along the Derrycunnihy River, which flows into the Killarney National Park Upper Lake.

The best vantage point is from the western side of the river, just downstream of the falls.

Getting to Derrycunnihy Falls

The shortest and quickest route to Derrycunnihy Falls is from the N71 (Ring of Kerry) road, about 2.3km (3min drive) from Ladies View. There is a layby with parking for a couple of card along the road near a locked gate.

IMG 8338 LR Derrycunnihy Falls - a picturesque Killarney National Park cascade

IMG 8339 LR Derrycunnihy Falls - a picturesque Killarney National Park cascade

The wide trail descends gently and crosses a timber bridge which is just above the waterfall.

IMG 8341 LR Derrycunnihy Falls - a picturesque Killarney National Park cascade

IMG 8342 LR Derrycunnihy Falls - a picturesque Killarney National Park cascade

You can easily do this short hike in under half an hour.

You can also get to Derrycunnihy Falls from Derrycunnihy Church which is little further south along N71 (Ring of Kerry), where the road crosses the Derrycunnihy River upstream of the falls. There is a lot more parking here. From the bridge it’s about a kilometre to the waterfall, with most of this route being along The Kerry Way long-distance hiking trail.