The Ring of Kerry is on most Ireland tourists’ must-do list. But why? What’s so compelling about the Ring of Kerry? Read on to learn what the Ring of Kerry is, why it’s so popular, and all the things you must see and do while traveling it!
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Ring of Kerry 101
What is it?
The Ring of Kerry is a scenic 111 mile circular route in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland. The route takes you through the Iveragh Peninsula and offers incredible scenic views of cliffs, beaches, mountains, lakes, the ocean, and charming villages. If you drive straight through, it takes around 3.5 hours. Most people spend at least one full day on the Ring of Kerry, and it would take several days to see absolutely everything.
Tourists usually start and end in the city of Killarney where you can find many lodging options. You can explore it via self-drive, private tour, or group tour.
Why is it so popular?
In a nutshell, the Ring of Kerry offers travelers what they came to Ireland to see. There are stunning emerald landscapes, seaside vistas, adorable little villages, fields dotted with wooly sheep, pubs filled with friendly locals, ancient ruins, and so much more.
Ring of Kerry One-Day Itinerary
If you take a group tour or only have one day to self-drive the Ring of Kerry, there are several things you must see and do.
Killorglin
First on the itinerary is the cute town of Killorglin. Located about 13 miles from Killarney, Killorglin is the home of Ireland’s oldest festival called Puck Fair. Held August 10-12 each year, the festival is suspected to have pagan roots but can only be officially dated back to 1613 when King James 1 issued a charter for it. During the three days, a mountain goat is captured and showcased in the town square then released back into the mountain. On a one-day tour, you won’t stop to look around town. You’ll just see a statue of a goat and a glimpse of the cute town from the window.
Kerry Bog Village
If you enjoy historic homes and understanding what life might have been like in the past, you will enjoy the Kerry Bog Village. This complex contains several original thatched homes and other structures. Furnished with rugged antiques, they gave us a glimpse of what life might be like as a crofter in 19th century Ireland.
Cahersiveen
The scenery keeps getting better and better as you continue around the Ring of Kerry. Near the town of Cahersiveen lies Cahergall Stone Fort. It dates from the 7th century and is a great example of ancient Irish ringforts. This one is well-preserved, and you can walk along the steps and terraces on the inner wall of the ring.
Nearby are the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle. The castle makes for a great photo stop with its ruined spires jutting into the air.
In town, you can visit the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church. It is dedicated to an Irish leader whose efforts eventually allowed Catholics a place in British Parliament.
Portmagee
Next we head towards Portmagee to see the Kerry Cliffs. Towering 10,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs offer great views of the Skellig Rocks and Puffin Island.
And if it’s lunchtime, you can have some delicious seafood at the quaint fishing village of Portmagee!
Skellig Ring
We’ve diverted from the official Ring of Kerry at this point, but there’s a good reason why. We are taking a scenic drive along Coomanaspig Pass and Skellig Ring to see dramatic views of cliffs and the ocean.
Along the Way
We continue driving, admiring the amazing scenery from the windows. We may take a few photo stops along the way to see sites that delight American visitors, such as this statue of Charlie Chaplin in Waterville. Sneem is a good place to stop for a break. This quaint village has great shops, a river walk, and places to get ice cream or coffee to keep you going!
Kenmare
Our next official stop is at the Kenmare Stone Circle. This is a set of 15 Bronze Age stones surrounding an egg-shaped burial stone. Three fairy trees stand near the stones. They are filled with little cards where people wrote their wishes.
Killarney National Park
As we get nearer to Killarney, we pass through Killarney National Park. There are several noteworthy spots along this stretch of the road.
Moll’s Gap
Moll’s Gap is a scenic mountain pass along the Ring of Kerry between Kenmare and Killarney. Perched at 850 feet above sea level, Moll’s Gap provides a terrific panoramic view of Ireland’s highest mountains and lush valleys.
Ladies View
Just a short drive away lies Ladies View. From here you can see the various lakes of Killarney framed by mountains, forests, and valleys. Queen Victoria visited this area in 1861, and her ladies-in-waiting were enamored by the view, thus the name Ladies View.
Torc Waterfall
Located just a brief 5 minute walk from the parking lot lies Torc Waterfall. This 65 foot waterfall is fed by the Owegarraiff River and is surrounded by a lush forest.
Muckross House & Gardens
If you love glamorous estates and historic houses, make time on your journey to visit Muckross House & Gardens. This beautifully furnished 1840s manor house is located in Killarney National Park. You can tour the house to admire not only the stately rooms, but also the bathrooms and servants’ areas. Also take some time to explore the Traditional Farm complete with animals, poultry, farm dwellings, and a schoolhouse. Relax in the glorious gardens. Then explore craft workshops – there’s pottery, weaving, and bookbinding.
Word of Warning
To be fair, I’ve listed far more than you can do in a single day on the Ring of Kerry! So you will just have to choose your favorites of my favorites. Better yet, spend another day or two slowly exploring all of these great sites and experiences!
What’s on your Ring of Kerry itinerary?
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