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Family English holidays · Killarney, Ireland

Learn English. Enjoy Ireland together.

A family holiday with English learning for every generation.

Children from age 4, teenagers and parents can all learn at the same time, in classes suited to their age and level. Spend your afternoons together—or choose supervised activities for your children.

Plan your family holiday Explore the course options

Parents are welcome to study, but do not have to take classes.

A family of three enjoying their time at Killarney School of English

A personal welcome. A shared Irish experience.

Children 4–12A happy first step into English

Teenagers 13–17New skills, new friends

Adults 18+Time to learn—or time for yourself

Summer 2027Children: 28 June–3 SeptemberTeenagers: 21 June–4 September

One holiday. A course for everyone.

Everyone learns at their own level.

Learn separately in the mornings, then come together to enjoy Killarney. Our small, family-run school helps you find the right combination for your family.

Children · 4–12

English through play

Games, songs, stories, art and role play make English a positive experience—even for children who are just beginning.

Dedicated Kidzone beside the adult school
Small classes: no more than 10 children
Morning English or English plus activities

More about children’s courses

Teenagers · 13–17

Confidence & friendships

Teenagers practise English with students from other countries, with the option of an active afternoon programme.

Classes at our teenage school in Lisivigeen
Daily school bus between the two schools
Morning English, activities and Saturday excursion

More about teenage courses

Parents & adults · 18+

Your holiday, your choice

Develop your English in friendly classes, or use the time while your children study to explore, relax and enjoy Killarney.

Adult classes in the main Muckross school
Standard, intensive and combined courses
Parents do not have to attend classes

Explore adult English courses

Children painting at a picnic table outside Kidzone

Little learners. Big smiles.

Children from just age 4

A happy first step into English.

No English? No problem.

For a young child, feeling happy and comfortable comes first. Our approach helps children with little or no English enjoy learning and build a positive association with the language. Kidzone is a space just for children on the same site as the adult school: four classrooms, a performance area, picnic tables and a large play area. The garden and field give children room to play during breaks and lunch. At our Friday performance, children can share what they have learnt with their families. Students finishing their course receive a certificate.

Watch the Kidzone video Children’s levels & learning

Kidzone collage showing the colourful entrance, children together at Killarney School of English, and the garden playground — Kidzone — a space just for children.

Experience Family Life at KSOE

A glimpse of life and learning at Killarney School of English.

Watch video 1 on Instagram

Watch video 2 on Instagram

Watch video 3 on Instagram

Making your holiday work

What does a family day look like?

Adult and children’s classes are at Muckross. Teenagers study in Lisivigeen, with a daily bus connecting the schools so families can meet for lunch and again at 5pm.

Morning

English for each age group

Children and adults study from 9:45am to 1pm. Teenage classes run from 10am to 1pm. Everyone follows a course suited to their age and English level.

Lunchtime · 1–2pm

Come back together

Meet at the Muckross school for lunch and catch up on the morning. The school team can explain bus arrangements for your family.

Afternoon

Choose your kind of holiday

With morning-only courses, enjoy family time after class. With English plus Activities, children and teenagers join supervised activities from 2–5pm.

Option A · Morning English

Explore Ireland together.

Finish classes at lunchtime, then make the afternoon your own: take a lakeside walk, go cycling, visit Muckross, enjoy time together, or visit the 28,000-acre Killarney National Park. Things to do as a family

Option B · English plus Activities

More English. More adventures.

Children and teenagers join separate programmes designed for their age group. Parents can enjoy free time or choose additional adult lessons.

Children’s activities Teenage activities

Morning-only courses: children and teenagers spend their afternoons with their family. Parents are responsible for their supervision outside the booked school programme.

Build a course around your family

Clear choices. Weekly prices.

Each family member can choose the course that suits them. Tuition prices below are per person, per week; accommodation is separate.

Family course options and weekly tuition
Course	Who is it for?	What’s included?	Weekly tuition
Morning English Standard course · GE1	Adults, teenagers & children	15 hours of group English lessons Afternoons free for family time	€350
Children’s English + Activities GE3 · ages 4–12	Children	15 hours of English + 15 hours of weekday afternoon activities	€500
Teenage English + Activities GE3 · ages 13–17	Teenagers	15 hours of English + 15 hours of afternoon activities + a Saturday day trip	€550

More English for parents

Choose additional group lessons with the Intensive Course (GE2), or combine 15 hours of group English with 5 hours of private lessons (GE2A).

Intensive English Combined English

Your course fee also includes

Course materials and books
An information pack on arrival
School bus transport within Killarney
A certificate on course completion
A class photograph in the final week
Access to the self-study room

Bicycle loans are available on a first come, first served basis. There are no enrolment, application or accommodation finder fees.

Request a family quote Full prices, transfers & booking terms Special offers

A home for your holiday

Stay your way in Killarney.

Choose accommodation that suits your family’s routine and budget. Our team can help you understand the options and plan your stay.

Space & flexibility

Self-catering

A house or apartment gives your family space, your own kitchen and the freedom to organise meals and evenings as you like. Self-catering accommodation

A comfortable base

Hotels & guesthouses

A Killarney hotel beside the lake with mountain views

Enjoy Killarney’s choice of hotels and B&Bs, with a comfortable base for classes, activities and exploring the area.

Hotels Guesthouses & B&Bs

An Irish welcome

Host families

Students enjoying cooking together in a host family kitchen

Stay with a local host family and continue using English beyond the classroom. Breakfast, packed lunch and an evening meal are included.

€325 adults & children 4–12 €300 teenagers 13–17 Per person, per week. Dietary supplements may apply.

Host family details

Killarney’s lakes, mountains and green countryside

Your classroom is only the beginning

A family holiday next to the National Park.

The school is located next to Killarney National Park, 28,000 acres of lakes, mountains and woodland. Make time for its walks, lakes and scenery—and for a genuine Irish experience together.

Discover Killarney How to get here

Hear from other families

Their holiday. In their own words.

Watch short videos of former students and parents sharing their experiences of Killarney School of English.

Hear from a parent

★★★★★

“I spent two wonderful weeks with my children at Killarney School. The classes were very engaging and practical, and the activities for the children were great fun.”

O FM

Excerpt from a parent’s Google review of Killarney School of English

A few questions parents often ask.

If you would like help planning your family’s course combination, email info@ksoe.com.

Does my child need to speak English already?

No. We welcome children from age 4, including those with little or no English. Our younger learners build confidence through play, songs, stories and other age-appropriate activities.

Do parents have to take English classes?

No. Parents can choose an adult English course or enjoy their own time while their children attend their booked programme.

Will we all study in the same building?

Adults study in the main school at Muckross. Children aged 4–12 study in Kidzone on the same site. Teenagers aged 13–17 study at the separate school in Lisivigeen, with a daily school bus connecting the schools.

When do family courses run?

In 2027, our children’s programme runs from 28 June to 3 September and our teenage programme from 21 June to 4 September. Adult English courses are available year-round. Contact us with your preferred dates, length of stay and children’s ages so we can check availability.

How are English levels decided?

Students complete a short placement test before arrival where appropriate, and teachers assess their level at the start of the course. Classes are organised by age and English level, so each learner can study at a suitable pace.

What happens in the afternoons and on Saturdays?

Morning-only students spend afternoons with their family. English plus Activities includes supervised weekday activities from 2–5pm for children and teenagers. The teenage GE3 programme also includes a Saturday day trip; the children’s GE3 programme does not.

Is there an adult afternoon activity programme?

There is no adult English plus Activities programme. Adults can explore Killarney independently, enjoy time with their family or book additional English lessons. The school are very happy to advise you about all the different things to do, or have a look at our dedicated webpage.

How do we get a quote or make a booking?

Tell us your preferred dates, each family member’s age, who would like to study, whether children want afternoon activities and your accommodation preference. We can help you choose the right combination. You can also book a course online.

Let’s plan your time in Ireland

Your family’s Irish adventure starts here.

Send us your dates and your children’s ages. We’ll help you put the pieces together.

Email our team Ask us on WhatsApp Book a course