Ring of Kerry

Ring of Kerry driving Tour

Ring of Kerry driving Tour

The Ring of Kerry, a Guided Tour. We hope you get some useful ideas here for your Ring of Kerry Day trip. The Ring of Kerry is said to be in the top ten most scenic drives in the World.
Leaving Killarney by Saint Mary's Cathedral Killarney drive for the Killorglin road (N 72), you will pass Killarney Golf Club on your left and keep going straight to Killorglin. Killorglin is famous for PUCK Fair, a 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 Museum, Rural dwelling in Ireland's 1800's.
Next stop is Glenbeigh, it has a beautiful beach at Rossbeigh, 3 miles of sandy beach, head back to the N 70.
There is a Beautiful Ocean vista is known as the mountain stage before Kells, you will be looking at view of Dingle Bay here, this is a good spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the view. Kells Bay is home to Kells Bay Gardens, a Sub Tropical experience and is also worth a visit.

Just before CAHERCIVEEN at the 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 of Kerry there are two stone forts dating back to the 9th.Century. You can also find Ballycabbery Castle (ruin) which is said to be haunted, it was blown up by Cromwell's Forces from the inside out,
once a fortress to The McCarthy Mór ( like that at Castlelough beside the Lake Hotel ).
Local visitor information can be found at the tower like building,
an refurbished RIC Barracks near the town center. The Barracks design was for India but they got the plans mixed up, there is be a Irish Castle design building in India to this present day.

Leaving Caherciveen on your right hand side you can see Valentia Island which can be accessed from
Renard Pier by a Car Ferry to Knightstown and eventually exit at PORTMAGEE on a bridge. Here you have an option to do the "Skellig Ring". The Skellig Ring is a great addition to the Ring of Kerry. Some of the roads are not suitable for Buses and only for cars and minivans.

VALENTIA was where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid to North 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 in the Ocean you can see The Skelligs,
two huge Rocks rising 700 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean. It was inhabited by monks and a monastery was set up there in the 5th Century, you can visit the rocks by boat and is highly recommenced so bring a packed lunch from the Lake Hotel. (Take note its a scramble to the top, so contact your Boat opperator for more information. It must also be pre-booked as numbers are limited

On the North road on Valentia there is a road (toll) up to Gokaun Mountain, 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. You can also see the Blasket Islands, 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 to Portmagee, Ireland's most scenic fishing Village here, the Bridge Bar is worth a visit, you turn right and head for the Skellig Ring on to Saint Finians Bay. Saint Finian's Bay is the home of the Skellig Chocolate factory and its well worth a visit. At Saint Finian's bay if you roar "Up the Kingdom" at the Skelligs you will hear the Echo come right back. ;-)

Its on to Ballinskelligs after that, and continue back on to the main Ring of Kerry road. Turn right for Waterville and cross the Inny River a great Salmon & Sea trout river.

Heading on to Waterville turn right at the church and take the Costal road into Waterville. Here you have a great view of the Ballinskellig's Bay. 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. Its a quiet Seaside Town, yet steeped in History and has many Ancient Standing Stones, Forts and Legendary tales of days gone by.

We recommend the Butler Arms for lunch or accommodation

Ring of Kerry

Recommended Stops (extra)

Beach Cove Cafe Waterville (home Baking and Ocean Views)
Butler Arms Hotel Waterville (Bar food)

Horse Riding Caherdaniel, (Beach gallops) Contact :066-9475145
Motorized Kayaking Tours Caherdaniel & Sneem / Whales, Dolphins & Seals ! contact : Noel Donnelly at 087 9474616

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 Castle Cove, in the far distance you can see County Cork.
If it is a nice day go to Derrynane Beach, misty or rain visit Derrynane House. it was Daniel O'Connell's home and is now a museum.

After Caherdaniel you can visit STAIGUE FORT ( 2500 years old ) its a left turn just before Castle Cove.

Further on the Town of SNEEM was 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. You have to see the Hands, from the tip of his Thunb to his little Finger was 15 inches ( 38 cm ) and he could tear a telephone book appart in seconds. If you google him you will find a facanating story worthy of a Hollywood Movie.

Here you can take a left and head straight for Molls Gap or go to Moll's Gap via Kenmare, 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 or head straight to the Pub. You could also 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 our our Lakeside Bistro / Pub.

Ring of Kerry web cam

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 in the World !

Free Ring of Kerry Map is available for Guest & Customers at the Lake Hotel

Ring of Kerry Hotel run by an Irish family

Killarney Lake Hotel

Ring of Kerry Hospitality for 100 years !

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