Exploring The Ring Of Kerry, Ireland: The Best Highlights

Planning A Ring of Kerry Itinerary

Ireland certainly has some spectacular scenery and offers many stunning driving routes. We spent enough time in County Kerry that we were able to explore both of the popular trips to Dingle and the Ring of Kerry, which are individual sections of the Wild Atlantic Way.

We found the landscape around the Ring of Kerry to be wilder and more rugged, and the mountains of this area project a unique look. There are plenty of places for hiking and enjoying the natural settings, while several towns on this route offer services and attractions. The Killarney National Park is also considered part of the Ring of Kerry and gives visitors a wonderful spot to include along the route.

Read on to discover what we think are the best things to see while exploring the Ring of Kerry.

Highlights Of The Ring Of Kerry

Where Is The Ring of Kerry?

Located in County Kerry, this ring road, which is not as long as the one we visited in Iceland, encircles the Iveragh Peninsula. Starting in Killarney, around Kenmare Bay it winds through villages of Sneem and Caherdaniel and along the Skelligs Road back to Killarney.

How Long Is The Ring Of Kerry?

The entire route of the main ring is 179kms. 

What To See Along The Ring of Kerry 

Since there are roads along the drive that are precarious, we opted for a professional guided tour so we could see the best stops on the Ring. This way, we could enjoy the day trip without worrying about a map or the narrow roads.

✅ For a guaranteed amazing time, be sure to book the private tour that we took. A full day with a private driver, gave us an amazing experience around the Ring of Kerry, at our own pace.

Killorglin

This is a cute Irish town located on the Laune River. If you are taking several days to do the drive, then it would be a nice spot to stop and explore. Depending on the time of your visit, you could check out their popular festivals or the salmon fishing. However, if you are doing the Ring of Kerry in one day, then this is a good stop for a coffee and to pick up snacks for the day.

Ballycarberry Castle

One of the first interesting sights along the route is the Ballycarberry Castle. These ruins date back to 1594 and were built by the McCarthy Clan, but was inhabited by the O’Connells, who took care of this land. It changed hands a few times and was eventually taken by Cromwell.

It isn’t open for visiting inside since it sits on private property, but you can view the structure from the outside, from the road. It is very picturesque with the stone and greenery covering one side, and you can imagine how impressive it must have been in its original form.

Ferry To Valentia Island

Continuing on, you can take a short ferry to Valentia Island. This is one of the most westerly points of Ireland and provides a lovely view back to the peninsula.

The coastal area is made of steep cliffs that reach down to the water’s edge and form rocky bays. It really is some incredible wild landscape that is worth the trip over to see.

After touring the coastal areas, we took the bridge back that brings you over to Portmagee. If we had some more time, we would have also explored this area by the boat tours on offer. Right as you come over the bridge is a spot where boats go to discover the Skellig Islands. This would make for a great way to see more of this area, but from a different perspective.

✅ Here is a 5 star rated tour for visiting the Skellig Islands by boat. Guests rave about the wonderful experience they had on this trip with the excellent guides. Lots of opportunities for learning and seeing wildlife.

Skellig Ring Road

Now that we had come across from Valentia Island, we continued on a slight deviation from the Ring of Kerry onto the Skellig Ring Road. Approximately 50kms, this route will take you past some stunning viewpoints of the Skellig Islands, including Skellig Michael and the surrounding area.

This road doesn’t tend to be busy since the roads are narrower (many that are only one lane) and the buses can’t navigate them. 

There are plenty of places to hike, such as the Kerry Cliffs, which reminded us of the Cumeeiras Summit Road in Sao Miguel and several beaches along this stretch are well worth stopping at, too. You can also make a quick stop to see the Ballinskelligs Abbey. These ruins date back to the 15th century and are an amazing sight to stop off and explore both the building and cemetery.

This is a nice hidden gem with extraordinary coastal views if you enjoy stepping off the beaten path.

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Skellig’s Chocolate Factory

Another top reason to take the Skellig Ring Road is to make a stop at Skellig’s Chocolate Factory and Cafe. It doesn’t take much to convince us to stop at a chocolate store, and this reminded us of the nice detour we made to a chocolate shop along the Great Ocean Road. This wonderful location, although smaller, also creates artisan chocolate that is so tasty!

The store is set up so you can see into the factory where they make their delectable treats, and best of all, there are chocolates for tasting!

You can purchase a wide variety of products here, ranging from bars to truffles to clusters and pieces of chocolate called shards. Everything is amazing so of course we had to buy some for later.

They also have a cute cafe where you can enjoy coffee, tea and their famous hot chocolate. 

Waterville

If you are looking for a quaint seaside town to make a stop, be sure to check out Waterville. It is very scenic and is a nice spot to wander and enjoy Irish hospitality at one of the many pubs.

Charlie Chaplin once lived in the town, and a statue of him is proudly on display. The town also hosts a Comedy Festival in his honour.

And if you are looking for some great golf opportunities, Waterville has several. We had a look at one of the top-rated courses, and Denis, who played other courses in Ireland, said he definitely wants to come back to try them out! This would be a great spot to spend an overnight if you were doing the Ring of Kerry over a few days.

✅ If you prefer a bus tour option, this highly rated tour hits many of the best sights around the Ring of Kerry. A professional driver will provide narration while showing you some stunning Irish countryside.

Ladies View

The drive back along the southern part of the Peninsula is just incredible. With sweeping views of the hills and sea beyond, it is truly some wonderful scenery to experience and a highlight of the Ring of Kerry drive.

As you work your way back inland, the viewing of the mountains becomes even more impressive. There is a popular section that can be seen from various vantage points called the Ladies View, similar in fact to the King’s View in Sao Miguel, Azores. It overlooks the lake below and was named for Queen Victoria’s lady-in-waiting, who was very impressed by this vista. Be sure to make a stop and take in this beautiful location.

Torc Waterfall

Our final stop for the day was a nice walk to see the Torc Waterfall. This area is part of Killarney National Park. The short walk from the car park makes for an easy way to see some beautiful forested areas. But there are also some longer hiking routes if you would like to enjoy the area further or even spend an entire day in Killarney National Park. The mature trees are covered in moss and have an interesting texture. 

The waterfall reaches 20 metres with the water flowing down over large boulders. It is a very pretty spot to see, and it was the perfect way to end our day before heading back to Killarney.

Ring Of Kerry Hotels

If you are doing the Ring in one day, then Killarney is a great location for your base. We enjoyed staying at the small property in town called the Arbutus Hotel Killarney. We also had a look at the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, which would be another consideration. Both are well located with lots of pubs and restaurants available within walking distance.

If you are going to drive the Ring of Kerry and are planning to stop for an overnight, the town of Waterville is a great halfway point. Here you could enjoy a beautiful property like the Klondyke House Bed & Breakfast. With cozy rooms, stunning views and a 5-minute walk to the town centre, this is a perfect option for the night.

The Final Word…Exploring The Ring Of Kerry

As you can see, this is a gorgeous part of Ireland to visit. The drive along the Ring of Kerry is certainly worth making the time for. And whether you make the road trip yourself, take a tour bus or hire a guide, be sure to enjoy all that this location offers. 

Check out our other posts that can help with planning your itinerary such as a trip to Dingle and visiting the Killarney National Park. There is so much to see along the Wild Atlantic Way!