Ring of Kerry
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 the Saint Mary's Cathedral Killarney drive for the Killorglin road (N 72),you will pass Killarney
Golf Club on your left
and your on the road 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 N70 join the N70.
The next Ocean vista is known as the mountain stage before Kells, there is a great 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 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.
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.
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 Blaskets, 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, Ireland's most scenic fishing Village here you turn right
and head for the Skellig Ring on to Saint Finians Bay. At Saint Finian's Bay there is 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 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.
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Ring of Kerry
Recommended Stops (extra)
- Beach cove Cafe Waterville (home Baking)
- Butler Arms Hotel Waterville (Bar food)
- Horse riding Caherdaniel, (Beach gallops) Contact :066-9475145
- Motorised Kayaking Tours Caherdaniel & Sneem / Whales, Dolphins & Seals ! contact : Noel 087 9660866
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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. it was Daniel O'Connell's home and 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.
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.
Here you can 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 Pub Dining.
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 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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Ring of Kerry Accommodation / Ring of Kerry Hotels
Free map of The Ring of Kerry, Dingle & Killarney
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Ring of Kerry Images
Ring of Kerry Beach at Derrynane
Charlie Chaplin Statue Waterville
Killarney Jaunting Car
Kerry Mountains & Lakes
Valentia Lighthouse
Ogham Stone Caherdaniel
Skellig Michael & Little Skelligs from Loher on the Ring of Kerry
Ahamore Abbey on the Ring of Kerry
Beautiful Clean Beaches in Kerry
Ring of Kerry Hotel Accommodation
Staigue Fort
Coomakesta Pass
Loher Church on the Ring of Kerry
Ballaghisheen Pass inner Road on the Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry Hot tub
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