Randles, a fixture on Muckross Road since 1906, always changing for the better

Randles, a fixture in Killarney since 1906, always changing for the better

View across the lake from Ross Castle

The Randles Court Hotel, best known as Randles, on Killarney’s Muckross Road, seems to have been there forever. But the secret to success here is to never stand still and that policy has benefitted the family since they first welcomed guests back in 1906.  Behind the scenes is where it all happens, an ongoing velvet revolution, their offering constantly improving, nowadays under proprietor Tom Randles.

Just a few examples for you, most of them in recent months. They had a big celebration in Croke Park, not unusual for Kerry teams, where Randles Hotel won the AIBF Solar Evolution Business All-Star Renewable Project of the Year. The sustainability journey is a team effort and Tom was delighted to accept the award.

Randles Hotel. Wigg Bar & Conservatory (Pic: Randles)

“Over the last 18 months, we have made great strides in our entire sustainability plan, which was no easy task when you have a property dating back over 116 years, but we love a challenge at Randles… Our journey to retrofitting our property began with moving away from fossil fuels as our primary heat source by utilising renewable air-to-water heat pumps for space heating, domestic hot water generation & Leisure Centre pool water, ventilation and domestic hot water application.”

And more celebrations for the hotel when they were awarded the TripAdvisor 2023 Travelers’ Choice award winner. “The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great guest reviews on TripAdvisor over the last 12 months, placing us among the 10% of all listings on TripAdvisor globally.”

Muckross gardens

Did you know you can bring your dog to Randles? This has been going on for quite a while. They just love rolling out the red carpet for their four-legged friends. “We ensure our guests with pups enjoy a pawsitive experience with us. Our canine guests can choose an overnight stay with their owners. Killarney National Park is accessible from our doorstep offering lots of trails and walkways for you and your dog to explore.”

And the exercise is not just for dogs. Did you spot those bikes on the way in? “Those new Raleigh bikes are ready to help you celebrate and explore Killarney National Park from our doorstep and travel the many wonderful cycle pathways on offer.”

Pizza at Wiggs

And at the start of June, Tom announced the opening of the Randles Townhouse on Twitter: “The little sister of @randles_hotel, a 350 metre stroll away- Adults only - super comfy King beds - quiet space - 50” Smart TV -  Ultrafast Wifi -all the facilities of The Hotel - better prices. Book on 064-6635333.”

No standing still in the kitchen either. They have Bird Cages - choose from Charcuterie, Hotcuterie or Seacuterie - each as delicious as the other.

Welcome to the new Randles Townhouse

And they support local here in the ultra-comfortable Wiggs Bar and Conservatory, part of the original building dating back to 1906. 

“One such local independent supplier that Head Chef Michael works with is the family-run @tcroninbutchers, a traditional butcher serving the people of Killarney for 5 generations with the best of local beef, lamb, pork, bacon & poultry. We are delighted to be working with the gang at Cronin’s, ensuring the best quality meats.”

“Like ourselves, the Lynch family have been in business for generations and Chef Michael uses their Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella on their Pizzas, ensuring premium quality food always at Randles.”

Excellent nibbles: olives and  pesto

Indeed, I enjoyed one of their pizzas here along with a cool pint of the Killarney Blonde while CL tucked into the Sweet chicken grilled breast (Glazed brie, roast red pepper, marinated tomatoes, rocket, basil pesto) in a ciabatta. Quite a Wine List here also and a glass or two of L'Herbe Sainte Merlot from the Languedoc was enjoyed!

The breakfast menu is one of the very best, certainly the best we’ve had in a while. And it is served in The Court, a spectacular room by any standard. Some great choices on the menu include Cinnamon dusted French toast and locally smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and of course the Full Irish. Our pick was the Freshly made Crépes Normande filled with apple puree, served with maple syrup. By coincidence, I had the very same dish during a stay in 2014! Our server on this latest visit suggested adding a couple of rashers and I didn’t say no. Top class.

Ross Castle

Randles has long been a relaxing and friendly stop on the Ring of Kerry. It is very well situated, even for golfers with a whole series of top-notch courses close at hand, including Killarney, Beaufort, Tralee, Ring of Kerry, Dooks, Ballybunion, and Waterville.

Then in the park and in general, there’s Walking, Hiking, Climbing, Biking & Horseriding – make your own way or join one of the many guided experiences. But not all of us will want to be that active during a break. 

Deenagh Lodge for a cuppa (and more), all day long, at Killarney town entrance to National Park

And here the hotel is very well placed indeed for more leisurely sightseeing with the National Park (including Torc Waterfall) and the racecourse both easily reached by car while both Muckross House and Killarney House are each a few minutes walk away.

And even more relaxing possibilities in the hotel itself where leisure facilities include spa treatments. Here guests can unwind with an extensive range of holistic, non-clinical treatments and massages available.  The Leisure Club offers you the chance to enjoy an invigorating dip in the 20m indoor pool or relax in the steam room or sauna.

The pool at Randles

If you just want to warm your toes on a cold day or read your favourite newspaper, then check out the Drawing Room. Sink into the comfortable sofa while the fire blazes away. Or enjoy the views of the Kerry mountains while just soaking up the atmosphere of this room filled with antiques and comfortable sofas, harking back to the days when the original house was a rather splendid family home.

Our own bedroom was rather splendid also, with an excellent view out towards those mountains. It was perfect and that luxury bed meant a great night’s sleep, just in case they provide a sleep spray for your pillow! With WIFI available throughout the hotel, you can catch up with family and friends through social media and email. Widescreen TV, tea-making plus Espresso machine, bathrobes, toiletries, everything you’d need.

People enjoy the view from the Kerry Cliffs.

Not at all surprised that Randles are regular award winners. The hotel and its facilities are excellent and the standard all through including the decor and furnishings is superb.

* Car parking is not a problem here. There is limited room at the level of the hotel and the includes set-down. But there is a spacious underground car park as you drive in from the road. Lighting is automatic and excellent and a short set of steps takes you up to that lovely terrace and the entrance doors. And you may ring if you need help with luggage.

** Also on this trip. Visiting Dinis Cottage. Take a Walk. Take a Bike. Take a Hike.

*** Recent trip:

The Lobster Waterville

Skellig Experience Centre - The Monks Dinner

McGill Brewery, Waterville

Royal Hotel, Knightstown

A Right Royal Progress Through The Kingdom

Recent Kerry posts

Killarney's lovely Victoria Hotel

Dinner at The Ivy in Killarney

Dining at The Harrow Killarney

Excellent Lunch at Brehon Hotel

Seeing Red at the lovely Sneem Hotel

Lunch at Killarney Brewery & Distillery in Fossa.

Dingle Drive, Slea Head and more 

Randles Hotels Celebrate 50 Years

Ross Castle on the lakes, quite close to Randles Court and Dromhall hotels.

Randles Hotels Celebrate 50 Years

First she said she was six. A little later, Kay Randles admitted to maybe being sixteen when she and husband Neil started in the hotel business in 1964.  That was the year they purchased a bungalow across the road from their thriving garage business in Killarney and opened an 18 bedroom hotel on the site.

Sadly Neil died in 1987 and Kay was left to carry on managing the Dromhall and the other family businesses as well as rearing their six children, three of them at that stage involved in the family business. No stopping Kay and in 1992, The Rectory next door was purchased and another hotel built, this the Randles Court, a 4 star hotel.

The family decided to knock down the Dromhall in 1999 and in June of the following year, it was reopened as the brand new 72 bedroom, conference and banqueting hotel, that it is today, along with the well known Kayne’s Bar and Bistro which is attached to the hotel.

View from the terrace of Randles Court

So in 2014, the four star Dromhall celebrates 50 years in business and that means fifty years in her own hotel business for Kay who still continues to play a major role in its management. The young lady from Kilworth has come a long way from her days working up the ranks in the Victoria Hotel in Cork City. Her teenage dream of having her own guesthouse has been spectacularly surpassed. It was great to have a brief chat with her on a recent visit, even if we didn't get anywhere, not that I was pushing, about her true age back in 1964.

Daughter Susan is the Sales and Marketing Director at Randles Hotels and she is expecting a busy season. We met in the stylish and comfortable drawing room of Randles Court and indeed that style is present throughout the hotel, much of it thanks to Kay.

Susan says that not all diners now require a sit down three or four course meal and so the Randles menu has been adjusted, is more flexible. You can of course still get your big meals but, between the bar menu and the restaurant menu (and that Checkers Restaurant is another striking room), you can have small meals and in-between ones (light bites from seven euro) as well.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Kay Randles start
the celebrations earlier in May.

Everything from Marinated Olives for two euro to a steak. The steaks, served with a Knockanore Smoked Cheese, Onion and Mushroom Tart, Garlic and Rosemary infused Tomato and Pommery Mustard Cream, are supplied by Cronin’s and are as popular as ever.

Late in the evening, we enjoyed some banter and a lovely glass of Rioja in Wiggs Bar and The Conservatory. Wiggs Killarney Bar brings you back in time as it is part of the original building dating back to 1906. Even the stained glass feature has been maintained. Indeed, the original facade of the Rectory has also been maintained and fronts the hotel's reception area.

Our room in Randles Court, by the way, had everything we needed, including WI-FI and views of the mountains, but we also enjoyed some very comfortable furniture and there was no shortage of paintings on the walls. Indeed, you’ll see lots of paintings and sculptures and occasional furniture throughout the hotel, in the rooms and along the corridors. Kay has been collecting for a long time!

The facade of the old rectory was maintained.

And the same high standard is seen in the breakfast room. Terrific service and quite a menu here as well, including the ever popular Full Irish! And they do list their suppliers. On the day, I picked the freshly made Crèpes Normande with Apple Purée. A slightly different start to yet another lovely day in Killarney.

The adjacent Dromhall is another four star hotel and you may check out its many facilities here. We didn’t get to visit this time but we did eat there about a year ago and it was a very enjoyable meal indeed as you can see in this post. And you’ll find a previous review of Randles Court here.

Jarveys pick up passengers in hotel car park

Both hotels are within minutes of Killarney town centre and are ideally situated as a base for the nearby National Park and also the spectacular Ring of Kerry. Killarney is one of my favourite towns as there is so much do in the immediate area and even more in the general County Kerry area. Either of the Randles hotels would make a terrific base if you are following the newly established Wild Atlantic Way.

Other posts on this trip:
The new Heather Restaurant. Eat in style at the Gap of Dunloe.
Twenty Four Hours in Killarney. New bus services.



If you do get to Kerry you may not want to leave. I have details of things to do and see available in my Corkman on Tour blog. See the Kerry portfolio here.

Crèpes Normande for breakfast.

Kayne’s Bistro at the Dromhall Hotel

Kayne’s Bistro at the Dromhall Hotel

 Called into Kayne’s Bistro at the Dromhall Hotel recently and enjoyed an excellent evening meal there. Was staying at the adjacent Randle’s Court and strolled over on a Saturday for a 7.00pm reservation and got a warm welcome. Soon we were comfortably seated and enjoying the rapport with a very friendly and helpful staff.

Started off with their €7.95 Signature Salad ((described as Fresh herb salad, sun blushed tomatoes, pine nuts (missing), crisp croutons (missing), roasted peppers)) with a Balsamic dressing and Char-grilled chicken added. Very enjoyable indeed, also quite substantial, and didn’t really notice the absence of the pine nuts and crisp croutons.

 Then onto to the Plat Principal, the Grilled Irish Prime Beef fillet (€26.95) served with champ potato, garlic butter, and crisp onion rings, and sautéed mushrooms. Not to mention a side dish of gorgeous seasonal vegetables. The steak was excellent, done to perfection and to order.

 Dessert? Well why not? Hung for a sheep as... Each cost €6.95 and the one I picked was the Lemon Tart (a lemon flavoured chilled crème anglaise on a sweet pastry base). Just the sweet job, delicious.

Had been sipping a bottle of a pleasant South African Merlot (Libertas 2010 €24.50) all the way through and finished off with a pot of green tea before heading downstairs to the bar and the music. Enjoyable evening all round in a highly recommended venue.