The
Ring of Kerry is no ordinary road trip! And with such incredible natural beauty, you’ll understand why they call Kerry ‘The Kingdom’.
Your journey starts and ends in Killarney, so a visit to
Killarney National Park should be first on your agenda. This park is full of hidden gems like
Torc Waterfall and
Ross Castle. Soak up the mountainous landscape and its staggering beauty at one of the park’s best lookouts,
Ladies View, overlooking the Lakes of Killarney. And in the middle of all this wild beauty sits
Muckross House & Gardens – a 19th century Victorian mansion and a true treat for the eyes. Explore the finest luxury inside and find the very room where Queen Victoria stayed during her visit to the Ring of Kerry in 1861. For a show stopping panoramic view of it all, drive along the mountain pass of Moll’s Gap – warning: you may find it hard to keep your eyes firmly on the road!
Nothing quite beats the charm of an Irish village and the Iveragh Peninsula has plenty to potter around. A few minutes from Moll’s Gap is the village of
Kenmare, which is packed with cafes, craft shops and small galleries to explore. Or take a breather in
Sneem and admire all the colourful houses that make up this picturesque village. While
Waterville takes the culinary prize for some of the most superb local food fresh from the sea – we’re talking mouthwatering lobster, mussels, salmon and prawns.
Kerry just has that star factor… No, really! It’s home to one of just three Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserves in the world.
Kerry’s Dark Sky Reserve in Ballinskelligs is recognised for its pristine clear skies, filled with thousands of twinkling stars and several shimmering planets on a clear night. What better way to end an evening than getting lost in the stars?
But we’re not the only ones that think Kerry’s beauty is out of this world… Take a small detour off the Ring of Kerry route to the village of
Portmagee and explore where the Star Wars cast and crew stayed whilst filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens. What brought the world-famous team to this pretty village? None other than
Skellig Michael, of course! A remote, monastic island dating back to the 6th century, which fans will recognise as Luke Skywalker’s Jedi retreat. The Skellig Islands are just a short boat ride off the coast of Portmagee, so you can get up close and personal with this incredible sight, too.
You can’t visit the
Wild Atlantic Way and not at least dip your feet into the water! Take a break from the road and stretch your legs on
Derrynane Beach; one of more peaceful beaches along the Ring of Kerry route. Not too far away is another taste of paradise at
Castlecove Beach, known for its white sand and remarkable turquoise coloured water. And tuck in for a spot of lunch at its popular beachside bar, O’Carroll’s Cove, before you hit the road again.
Do any of our Community members recall a memorable spot they’d recommend along the Ring of Kerry?
