If you want to explore the luscious southwest coast of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry is a great place to start. It’s a circular drive around the Iveragh Peninsula, beginning and ending in the town of Killarney.
Along the way, you’ll find picturesque towns, historical sites and many epic views of the coastline, mountains and more! This scenic route is 228km (141 miles) in total. That’s around five hours of driving, plus of course lots of time for stopping off along the way. Following the route clockwise will help ensure you don’t get stuck behind any bus tours.
Kerry
Kenmare
The small yet vibrant town of Kenmare is the ideal base for exploring both the Beara and Iveragh peninsulas. The town itself has plenty to offer in terms of cafes and pubs. Popular activities include a ‘Sea-fari’ from Kenmare Bay, visiting the Stone Circle and checking out Cromwell’s Bridge.
You can enjoy a picnic at Reenagross Woodland Park overlooking the Kenmare Bay, where you might even spot a seal swimming underneath Our Lady’s Bridge!
The parking in the town centre has height barriers, so you can park at the Kenmare Golf Club on the edge of town instead.
O'Carroll's Cove
O’Carroll’s Cove Restaurant & Bar
This beachside, family-run venue serves up delicious lunches, dinners and drinks. The seafood here is fresh as can be, and there’s plenty of other options on the menu. Enjoy great views out over Glanbeg Beach, better known as O’Carroll’s Cove. If you fancy a swim, the waters here are clear and inviting. On a sunny day, it honestly looks tropical!
Derrynane Beach
Derrynane Beach
This idyllic, dune-backed beach offers white sands, rocky coves (great for snorkelling!) and views over to Abbey Island. On a warm day, a dip in the clear turquoise waters was a must. The beach has some areas that are not suitable for swimming due to dangerous currents; however, these areas are clearly signposted. There is a free beach car park, but this has a height restriction barrier so head to nearby Derrynane House for barrier-free parking.
Ballinskelligs Beach
Ballinskelligs Beach
Situated on the western edge of the Iveragh Peninsula, Ballinskelligs Beach is surrounded by incredible wild landscapes and faces into Ballinskelligs Bay. The Blue Flag beach is a great place for a swim or a kayak and is home to a castle ruin known locally as McCarthy Mór Castle and, further along the coast, the ruins of Ballinskelligs Abbey. The café next to the car park has a lovely selection of toasties, cakes and great coffee.
Skellig Islands
Portmagee
The village of Portmagee is the gateway to the iconic Skellig Islands. If you’ve done previous research into this part of Ireland, you’ll see the Skelligs mentioned again and again. There are two islands; the smaller, known as Little Skellig and Skellig Michael, made famous due to its appearance in Star Wars. Little Skellig is closed to the public and home to a huge gannet colony featuring tens of thousands of birds. Skellig Michael stands at around 715 feet tall and features an ancient monastery, a lighthouse, beehive-style huts and breathtaking scenery! There are different tour options available – the landing tour (where you can physically explore Skellig Michael) and the eco tour (where you sail around the islands). Tour costs vary depending on which one you choose.
Parking in Portmagee is limited, but there’s a small car park just a short walk from the main harbour. It’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes before your boat tour to allow time to find parking.
Valentia Island
Valentia Island is a perfect spot to escape the crowds and explore its countryside, wildlife and history. Although Valentia is technically an island, it’s connected with the Irish mainland by a road bridge from Port Magee. You can also reach the island by ferry. There’s so much to explore, including the Geokaun Mountains and Cliffs, the Valentia Lighthouse and the Valentia Slate Quarry (the oldest quarry that’s still in production in Ireland). Additionally, there’s the Valentia Cable Station – a museum showing visitors the history behind a telegraph cable connecting Europe with North America. You’ll also find the Tetrapod Trackway (imprints that are over 380 million years old, said to be from four-limbed vertebrate animals that roamed Earth way before dinosaurs) and the Valentia Island Skellig Experience, a visitor centre where you can learn more about the islands. If you’d rather see more of the island’s beauty you could take the Bray Head Walk, a 4.5km coastal trail that has incredible views overlooking the Skellig Islands and Dingle Peninsula.
Kells Bay Beach
Located in the picturesque fishing village of Kells on the Iveragh Peninsula’s northern coastline, Kells Bay Beach is a sheltered spot that’s surrounded by greenery, including a small forest. The beach’s clear, turquoise waters and golden sands are the reason for its Blue Flag status. Incredible views across to Dingle Bay and the Blasket Islands can be enjoyed on a clear day. A visit here could be combined with a stop at the nearby Kells Bay House and Gardens, a Victorian garden home to subtropical plants and forest.
Rossbeigh Strand
Rossbeigh Strand
Rossbeigh Strand Beach sits on the outskirts of the village of Glenbeigh overlooking Dingle Bay, with incredible views across to the Dingle Mountains. The Blue Flag beach certainly has the ‘wow factor’ if you approach from the hill above. The 7km of golden sand juts out into the bay, guarding the entrance to Castlemaine Harbour. It’s a popular spot for fishing, swimming and all types of water sports, especially surfing (the beach has its own surf school).
If you fancy something different, you can trot along the water’s edge on horseback with the Rossbeigh Beach Horse Riding Centre. The beach even hosts a horse racing festival each summer. At the entrance to the beach sits a few eateries. Parking is available right next to the beach, however there’s a height barrier, so you can park at the Rosspoint Bar & Restaurant opposite, which serves pub grub.
Killarney
Take in the epic 10,000 hectares of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, woodland and more across Killarney National Park (which was designated as the very first National Park in Ireland in 1932). It’s home to the highest mountain range in Ireland, McGillycuddy’s Reeks, which rises over 1,000 metres high! There is so much to see here, aside from the vast number of scenic walking routes, lakes and striking waterfalls (such as Torc Waterfall) that are on offer, you can also visit the medieval gem that is Ross Castle, or the late 19th-century mansion, Muckross House. If you’re lucky, you might spot some red deer roaming the park!
You might prefer to rent a bike nearby as there is a lot of ground to cover. Entering the park itself is free; however, some attractions (like Muckross House) charge an admission fee. There are multiple car parks surrounding the park; the largest one, next to Muckross House, is suitable for larger vehicles and campers.
Road Trip Ireland
This is just a glimpse of the road trips you can enjoy all across Ireland. For the ultimate guide to the best locations, practical tips and stress-saving hacks, check out Road Trip Ireland!