The Ring of Kerry

Recommended Ring of Kerry Hotels situated on the Ring of Kerry

Leaving Killarney head for the Killorglin road (N 72), and your on the road to Killorglin. You can use a GPS of a Guests Information Map from the Lake Hotel. Going anti-clock wise is the best option for both scenery and going with the flow. Killorglin is famous for PUCK Fair pagan festival dating back 3000 years ( Celebrated on the 10/11 and 12th. of August each year).
After Killorglin you will also pass the Red Fox Inn and Traditional Bog Village.
Next stop is Glenbeigh, it has a beautiful beach at Rossbeigh, 3 miles
of sandy beach, head back to the N70 to Kells or go over the mountain at Cahill's pub ( cars only ) to join the N70.
From the mountain stage near Kells there is a great view of DINGLE bay, this is a good spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.

Just before CAHERCIVEEN at the new bridge on the left can be seen
the birth place of Daniel O'Connell " The LIBERATOR "
and hero to the Irish people in the 1800's
In this area of the Ring there are two stone forts dating back to the 9th.Century,
all visitor information can be found at the tower like building,
an refurbished RIC barracks near the town center.
You can also find Ballycabbery Castle ( ruin )
once a fortress to The McCarthy Mór ( like that at Castlelough
beside the Lake Hotel ).

Leaving Caherciveen on your right hand side you can see VALENTIA Island which can be accessed from
Renard Pier by a car ferry and eventually exit at PORTMAGEE. Here you have an option to do the "Skellig Ring"

VALENTIA was where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid to America in 1857, you can also visit the Slate Quarry and the Light House, there are many remains of old structures including Stone Forts and Churches. Out to Sea you can see The Skelligs
two huge Rocks 700 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean was used by monks as a monastery from the 5th. Century, you can visit the rocks by boat and is highly recommenced so bring a packed lunch from the Lake Hotel. There is a new toll road on the right hand side of the North west road, here you can drive to the highest point on Valentia and from here you can see, county Cork to the south, Skelligs to the South west, the Blaskets and the Dingle Peninsula to the West, and much of the Ring of Kerry to the East. At the end of the island there is a nice walk up to Bray Head or you can visit the Skellig Experience. (recommended in bad weather).

Go over the Bridge at Portmagee, turn right and head for the Skellig Ring on to Saint Finians Bay, Ballinskelligs, and back on the main Ring of Kerry road turn right for Waterville.

Heading on to Waterville turn right at the church and take the Costar road into Waterville. There is A very good restaurant here for lunch in the Butler Arms, Helena Donnelly will look after you. Tell them "Up the Kingdom" and Niall sent you from Killarney. Here you have a great view of the Ballinskellig's Bay. Soak up the history. Waterville was and is very popular with people like Charlie Chaplin, Shirley McClaine, Walt Disney, Tiger Woods, Payne Stuart and Michael Jordan, Catherine Zeta Jones to name a few.

Leaving Waterville you head up and over the mountains at COOMAKISTA PASS, park here and enjoy the views,
to the north Ballinskelligs Bay and to the south Caherdaniel, Derrynane and Castlecove, in the far distance you can see Co. Cork.
If it is a nice day go to Derrynane Beach, misty or rain visit Derrynane House. Daniel O'Connell's home which is now a museum.

After Caherdaniel head for STAIGUE FORT ( 2500 years old )
and experience the way it was, 2500 years ago for the Celt's.
Next stop SNEEM home of the famous CASEY brothers,
The New York times wrote : " The Toughest Family That Ever Lived " . Steve Casey was the undisputed world wrestling Champion for more than ten years, when wrestling was " WRESTLING ", Joe Louis refused many offers from Steve Casey as he feared this Irish man who could box as well as wrestle, there is a life size statue of Steve ( the crusher ) Casey on the left as you leave Sneem.

Turn left and head for Molls Gap, here you will have a good view
of the Mountains of Kerry, when you get to Molls Gap and you will see lakes on your left with the Black Valley and the Head of the Gap ( the gap of dunloe ) in the distance. At Ladies View you can see the Lake Hotel , that white building in the distance and as you descend you can see the Three Lakes of Killarney. You will pass the Upper Lake and the Middle Lake before you get to Torc Waterfall on your right and then on to Muckross House and Gardens, well worth a visit and stretch those legs after a great day. All that is left is, back to
the " Lake " and Shower / Bath / or relax in a Jacuzzi if you are lucky enough to have one, if not use the Outdoor Jacuzzi over looking the ring of Kerry and the Killarney National park, then a relaxing drink in the Devil's Punchbowl Bar
overlooking the Flood lit Castle and Lake, and its time for dinner in The Castlelough Restaurant.

The Lake Hotel is ideal Ring of Kerry Hotel Accommodation, situated on the Ring of Kerry and next to the Killarney National Park.

We at VACATION KILLARNEY recommend visitors
purchase a good map or guide book
as this is only a brief description
of " The Ring Of Kerry "
there are so many hidden gems to be discovered
recently voted in the top ten most scenic drives World wide !

Panorama of the Ring of Kerry near Caherdaniel county Kerry
The Ring of Kerry & the Skellig Ring (below)