Kerry - The Ring of Kerry

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The Ring of Kerry

Kerry

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Overview

The Ring of Kerry The guide was updated: 2023-02-08

Starting in Killarney, take the N72 to Killorglin where there is a variety of Outdoor Activity Centres. Cyclists should take the Glencar route that will bring them along the mountainous spine of the peninsula taking in glacial lakes and mountain passes to the heart of the Iveragh Peninsula’s Gaeltacht at Dromid (na Dromoda).
From Killorglin to Glenbeigh, the Bog Village is an interesting visit and in Glenbeigh, take time for a pony trek along the beautiful Rossbeigh Beach. From Glenbeigh, the route will open up to wonderful views of Dingle Bay as you approach Kells, where the Victorian Gardens of Kells Bay are located.

In Cahersiveen, the history of the area can be discovered at the Old Barracks Heritage Centre. Enjoy a fun filled boat trip around Cahersiveen Harbour and Valentia Lighthouse. After Cahirsiveen, drive on to the beautiful fishing port of Portmagee or take the ferry to Valentia Island. This region, called the Skellig Ring, is a place to linger. From Portmagee, the ferries leave for the spectacular Skellig Rocks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you cross the bridge at Portmagee, stop to walk up to Bray Head and Geokaun Mountain for amazing views. At the Slate Quarry, the views over Valentia Lighthouse and Knightstown are stunning.

Take time to visit the Tetrapod Track and take an eco tour around the harbour.
From Portmagee, continue on the Skellig Ring Road, over Coomanaspig Pass to St. Finan’s Bay and on into Ballinskelligs (Baile na Sceilge), a Gaeltacht village, Valentia Island where the Cill Rialaig Famine Village and Ballinskelligs Blue Flag Beach are well worth a stop.
Waterville, with wonderful views of Ballinskelligs Bay, is home to Waterville’s famous Links Course and the angler’s paradise, Lough Currane. Onwards to Caherdaniel, the Coomakista Pass offers sublime views over Kenmare Bay, Derrynane Harbour, Scariff and Deenish Islands. Caherdaniel is an ideal base for outdoor pursuits and is home to Derrynane House & National Historic Gardens. At Castlecove, visit Ireland’s largest circular stone fort, Staigue Fort. Next, the colourful village of Sneem, home to the Sculpture Park and Garden of the Senses, is a delightful village to spend some time.
In Kenmare, enjoy a lovely choice of charming shops, galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Stay longer to enjoy the fun and adventure of local Activity Centres, Kilgarvan’s Motor Museum and the heritage of the region captured at Bonane Heritage Park and Gleninchaquin Park.

To complete the Ring of Kerry, travel north to Killarney via Moll’s Gap. Marvel at the panoramic vistas at Ladies View, with breathtaking views of the glorious Lakes of Killarney.

Derrynane House

Derrynane House

Derrynane House is the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, and showcases memorabilia from the life and career of this famous statesman. Known as "The Liberator", O'Connell promoted Irish Emancipation and is a key figure in 18th-19th century history. Situated in Derrynane National Historic Park, the grounds boast 120 hectares of parklands and 1.5 km of coastline.

Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

Located right by the sea, Dingle Oceanworld offers visitors a chance to learn more about the creatures which live so close by.. With over 1,000 species of marine life, including penguins, sharks, Loggerhead turtles, piranhas, as well as other native and tropical species, this family-friendly underwater world is ripe for exploration.

Crag Cave

Crag Cave

Crag Cave is a magical wonderland of stalagmites & stalactites, thought to be over one million years old. Here you'll find tours, a gift shop, a garden café, the Crazy Cave Play Centre and Kingdom Falconry, a new addition to Crag Cave.

Staigue Fort

Staigue Fort

More than 2,500 years old, Staigue Fort is an imposing circular stone fort. One of the largest ring forts in Ireland, it has a diameter of 27 metres, a square-headed doorway and two small chambers and stairways that lead to the top. This impressive structure has withstood the passing of time, although its history remains shrouded in mystery.

Celtic and Prehistoric Museum

Celtic and Prehistoric Museum

This local archaeological museum houses over 500 artifacts from the Stone, Bronze and Celtic Iron Ages, as well as Viking, Roman and Saxon antiquities. Among other things, it contains a dinosaur skeleton and a mammoth skull.

Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours

Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours

In 1983, a wild Bottlenose Dolphin named Fungie chose Dingle Harbour as its home. Boat trips leave Dingle Pier all day, every day, in order to see this very friendly dolphin wild and free in its natural habitat.

The Blasket Islands

The Blasket Islands

Off Slea Head – the most westerly tip of the Dingle Peninsula – lies a deserted archipelago with a poignant past: the mystical Blasket Islands, now an emblem of the Irish history of emigration. You can anchor a boat in the Blasket Sound on the edge of Europe, climb to the top of An Blascaod Mór, and explore the remote wilderness of this fascinating place. In Dingle, you can visit the Blasket Centre, an interpretive centre with a long, white hall ending in a wall-to-ceiling window overlooking the islands.

Portmagee and The Skellig Islands

Portmagee and The Skellig Islands

Further west of Ireland, out to sea, is an extraordinary, far-flung place of pilgrimage: Skellig Michael. 1300 years ago, early Christian monks built a remarkable hermitage at the top of this jagged ocean crag – then at the furthest limits of the known world. This mysterious and awe-inspiring place, described by George Bernard Shaw as “part of our dream world”, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be reached by the adventurous on a small boat, only when the weather allows, from the small picturesque fishing village of Portmagee. Portmagee was the winner of Ireland’s first ever Tourism Town in 2012, and once you arrive it’s easy to see why. You can really get to know people here. There are small family-run businesses, local food producers, artists and craftspeople, pubs with peat fires and traditional music sessions. Across the bridge there is the Skelligs Experience Visitor Centre, where you can follow an audio-visual tour recreating the magic of the Skellig region and enjoy its history.

The Slea Head Drive

The Slea Head Drive

The Slea Head Drive is a scenic route circumnavigating the western end of the Dingle peninsula. It begins and ends in the town of Dingle, and cascades quaint villages, rolling fields, mountains, monuments, and, of course, the ocean. For information, you can contact the Dingle Tourist Information Centre.

Waterville Golf Links

Waterville Golf Links

Ireland is a favourite of golfers the world over, and the spectacular coastal views of Kerry are the perfect backdrop for a good game. Waterville Golf Links is one of the country's most prestigious ones and conveniently situated on the Ring of Kerry.

Conor Pass

Conor Pass

One of few mountain passes accessible by road, Conor Pass is one of Ireland's most iconic and scenic drives. Craggier and rockier than previously thought possible, walking or cycling here is an undertaking for experienced climbers only. Those who dare will be rewarded with stunning views of cliffs, lakes, and rolling landscape.

Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs

Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs

Few hikes are so rewarding - from the summit of Geokaun Mountains, visitors can take in otherworldly views of the Skellig Islands, the Dingle Peninsula, the Blasket Islands, Beginish Island, Cahersiveen, Portmagee and MacGillycuddy's Reeks. With three viewing areas, these trails are open to hillwalkers, cyclists, or cars.

Brandon Group Mountains

Brandon Group Mountains

The Brandon Mountains consist of 7 major peaks, including the 2nd highest peak in Ireland (the highest being Carrantouhill, about 2 hours drive away). Composed of Old Red Sandstone, the mountains have a distinctive red, orange and purple hue. Local lore has it that St Brendan, a 5th century Irish saint, was born here and later went on to become a legendary seafarer. A pilgrimage inspired by his journey began here in the medieval times - and pilgrims still flock here today. The "Faha" (or Pilgrim's Path) takes around 4-5 hours to hike, while the most challenging route takes 6-7.

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