Driving the Ring of Kerry: The Ultimate Guide

One of Ireland’s most popular driving routes, the Ring of Kerry is a scenic way that showcases the beauty of Ireland’s Iveragh Peninsula with every bend in the road. The 179 km roadway treats all who traverse it to unparalleled views of the jagged Irish coastline, rolling hills, majestic mountains, and historic landmarks. Beyond the scenery, one of the best parts about driving the Ring of Kerry is the fact that you can pack so many breathtaking sights into just one day! 

Driving the Ring of Kerry was one of my absolute favorite highlights included in my busy Ireland itinerary! The picturesque landscape and sheer variety of sights to see in such close proximity truly made this day stand out.

To help you plan an unforgettable day driving the Ring of Kerry, I’ve put together this guide to the best tips for visiting, sights, and stops along the way! 

Driving the Ring of Kerry: Planning Your Route

Here I’ve included many of the key sights and stops you may want to make along your drive, quite a few extras for those with more time! If you’d like to drive the Ring of Kerry in one day (as I did) you’ll have to pick and choose your favorites. 

I wasn’t able to see every item listed here in one day, but I was able to see the key sights without rushing. The drive only takes about 3.5 hours without any stops, so you should be able to cover the entire Rings of Kerry in just one day, unless you plan on making every stop on this list along the way. 

Destinations At A Glance

Here you’ll find the list of each place listed on the map. I’ve put a star (*) next to all of my favorite must-sees that can also be covered in one day. If you really like to take your time or go at a more leisurely pace, this itinerary could easily be expanded to 2 or 3 more relaxing days. 

Tips for Driving the Ring of Kerry

• Get an early start! This is Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, and lots of tour buses use this route, meaning that you could run into quite a few traffic and tourists especially during peak season. 
• Drive opposite the tour buses. If you are visiting during peak season, try to drive the opposite ways of the tour buses. Most tour buses drive the Ring of Kerry in a counterclockwise direction, so your best bet is starting your day clockwise. 
• Make the day your own. Trying to squeeze too much into one day or cutting your time short at your favorite places will only detract from your overall experience. Before starting off your drive, I recommend making a list of your must-sees and your maybes so that you can better keep track of your timing and avoid missing anything essential! 
• Don’t be afraid to deviate from the path. See a cool town where you’d like to stop for lunch? Spot an interesting trail just begging for you to hike it? That’s what road trips are all about! Just because something isn’t on any official Ring of Kerry itinerary doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a stop. 
• Be flexible. The best way to tackle an Ireland road trip is with some flexibility. Things like weather, time, and your personal preferences can dramatically change what you are interested in seeing (or skipping!).

Killarney

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For many, the Ring of Kerry starts and ends in the lovely town of Killarney. We stayed here and really enjoyed it, but if you’re visiting in peak season or prefer to be a bit off-the-beaten-path, then there are plenty of smaller towns and B&Bs nearby where you’ll find fewer tourists. That being said, this charming town is famous for a reason, and I wish we had a few more hours here to walk around and explore! 

Killarney National Park

Just next to the town of Killarney you’ll find the famous Killarney National Park, the first national park in Ireland. If you are staying in Killarney, you may want to leave aside some time to explore the park before you embark on your scenic drive. You’ll especially want to leave extra time for the park if you love hiking or plan on walking along any trails. The drive typically just covers some of the park’s highlights like Ross Castle, Muckross House, and Torc Waterfall. We chose to just cover these highlights, as there were quite a few tourists in the area already as we started our day! Learn more about the Killarney National Park on the official website. 

Ross Castle

Located inside Killarney National Park is Ross Castle. This historic fortress is situated next to a small lake, making it quite picturesque! If you plan on seeing the castle’s interior, it is important to know that they are guided so you may have to wait. For those tight on time, I’d suggest skipping the inside and keeping to the exterior. 

Muckross House

This 19th-century mansion is another popular place to start the Ring of Kerry! If you enjoy exploring historic homes, you may want to hop on a guided tour. Just outside the home, there are beautifully manicured gardens and several trails if you have time to go for a stroll. We got a rather late start on our day and there were plenty of tourists in this area, so we opted to skip this stop in favor of hitting the road! Be sure to check out the hours and tour times on the Muckross House website before you go. 

Torc Waterfall

While still in Killarney National Park, be sure to pop by Torc Waterfall. This 66 foot tall (20 meters) waterfall is just a short walk from the main road, making it a perfect way to see a cool waterfall without going out of your way!

Ladies’ View

As you exit Killarney National Park you won’t want to miss Ladies’ View. This photogenic spot gets its name thanks to Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting. They loved the view so much that the name stuck! Simply pull your car over at the viewpoint and enjoy the view of Killarney’s Upper Lake. 

Kissane Sheep Farm

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This next stop was one my mom actually added to our itinerary. At first I was a bit skeptical, but it wound up being a fun little addition to our day. We saw many sheep throughout our Ireland road trip, but this working sheep farm was a great way to learn about sheep farming in Ireland. You’ll have the opportunity to see the sheepdogs in action. It is amazing to witness these intelligent dogs doing what they do best. After watching the dogs herd the sheep, you can head into the barn to see how the sheep are sheared. I was a bit distracted during this because I was preoccupied with holding the cutest border collie puppy! 

It is important to note that the farm is not open to visitors year-round, as it closes during the winter. Also, the demonstrations are only available at certain times, so be sure to check the website before showing up! 

Moll’s Gap

It wouldn’t be a scenic drive without quite a few viewpoints! Photographers won’t be able to resist grabbing a shot of the winding road which passes by this mountainous pass. There is also a little cafe here in case you want to grab a quick coffee or snack before hitting the road again. 

Kenmare and Kenmare Stone Circle

Kenmare is a cute and colorful town you’ll find just off the main road. Looking back, I wish we had made a stop here. Unfortunately, there are so many cute towns that it is impossible to stop at each one! If you don’t want to stay in Killarney, Kenmare is another great option. 

While in town you’ll want to see the bronze age stone circle. Here 15 massive stones encircle a dolmen, or burial marker. 

Coastal Drive and Towns

After leaving Kenmare, the scenic coastal portion of today’s drive begins! There are so many cute towns to drop by, so don’t be afraid to stop to break for lunch if you’re feeling hungry!

Staigue Stone Fort

This massive stone ringfort is one of several we saw in Ireland. It dates all the way back to 300 AD and is a seriously impressive sight to behold. These once defensive structures are fun to explore and really give you the feeling that you’ve stepped back in time. 

If you’re short on time, consider skipping this fort in favor of visiting Cahergall Stone Fort which is on the agenda for later in the day. While both are impressive, Cahergall Stone Fort is in a bit better condition and offers a better view. 

Derrynane House and Beach

For those who love historic homes, you’ll want to stop off at Derrynane house. There is also a beautiful beach nearby if it is a nice day and you’d like to stretch your legs for a quick walk. We opted to skip this detour and instead head to our next stop. 

Waterville and Eightercua Stone Row

As you drive through the coastal town of Waterville you’ll pass Eightercua Stone Row. This megalithic tomb dates back to 1700 BC and is a series of four massive stones all lined in a row. It is pretty impressive that these giant boulders are still standing upright! 

Ballinskelligs Castle

The ruins of this 16th-century castle make for a pretty picture, as the castle is situated on a narrow strip of land overlooking the bay. Originally constructed to protect the bay from pirates, today the ruins look like they could use a bit of protecting! We got a little lost trying to find the castle, which made it seem a bit more trouble then the effort was worth! By hey, what is a road trip if you didn’t get lost at some point? 

Skellig Michael

I would be remiss in this blog post if I didn’t mention Skellig Michael. This island and it’s smaller twin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you may recognize as Star Wars filming locations. In addition to it’s incredible and dramatic appearance, the island is known for the beehive-shaped monastic sites originally constructed by monks.

I would have LOVED to have visited the magical island of Skellig Michael, but I have to admit that logistically it is a bit of a struggle. One can only visit during certain months, the boat journey is quite rough, and the weather can easily cause a tour to be canceled. That being said, if you are willing to risk the weather and book a tour well in advance (they sell out quickly!), I have a feeling this trip could easily be an Ireland highlight! 

I had to settle for views of the islands, and hope that in the future I can plan a visit.

Kerry Cliffs

Another big highlight of the day and a must-see are the Kerry Cliffs. Though the Cliffs of Moher are far more well-known, I found the Kerry Cliffs to be equally impressive.

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The green and grey of the rocky coastline contrast beautifully with the brilliant blue water below. It was quite windy when we arrived, and, unlike the Cliffs of Moher the area is fenced in, so you can get closer to the edge without fear of falling.

Portmagee and Valentia Island

After checking out the cliffs you’ll drive into the town of Portmagee. This quaint port town is perfect for snapping a few shots of boats, grabbing a snack, or taking a quick break before continuing your journey. If you have a bit of time, consider driving to Valentia island to see the lighthouse! I wish we had been able to fit this in! 

Ballycarbery Castle

The ruins of the 16th century Ballycarbery Castle stand on private land, so, unfortunately, you can’t get too close to this structure. If you are low on time, you can easily skip this stop, but I’ve included it in the itinerary because it is so close to your next destination. 

Cahergall and Leacanabuaile Stone Forts

These ringforts were my favorite in Ireland, and they offered some excellent panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the water beyond. If you skipped Ballycarberry Castle, fear not, you can actually see it from atop Cahergall Stone Fort.

In the interest of time, we only actually walked around and explored Cahergall up close, although we did see Leacanabuaile from further afield. Cahergall dates all the way back to 600AD, and has been beautifully restored. We had so much fun walking around the fortress, and I would be sure to squeeze it onto your Ring of Kerry itinerary! 

Kells Bay House and Gardens

If you haven’t seen your fill of historic homes yet, consider capping your day off with a visit to Kells Bay House and Gardens. This Victorian estate is also a guest house, which may also be a fun alternative to Killarney for those with the budget. We also skipped this historic home, making us 0/3 on our Ring of Kerry drive. Like I said-road tripping is all abroad priorities! 

Gap of Dunloe

As you head back into Killarney to conclude your day, catch one more viewpoint by visiting the gap of Dunloe. We didn’t have time for a detour to this mountain pass as the sun was setting, but if you have time it would be the perfect way to cap off an exciting day driving the Ring of Kerry! 

Driving the Ring of Kerry: Overall Thoughts

The sheer number of amazing things to see and do along the Ring of Kerry really made this scenic drive a highlight of our Ireland itinerary.

While I would have loved more time to see every spot on this list, I think that one day was the perfect amount of time to cover the route’s highlights while allowing us to continue along on our whirlwind Ireland road trip.

Our next stop? The nearby Dingle peninsula! But more on that to come…

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Is driving the Ring of Kerry a must on your Ireland itinerary? Which points of interest most intrigue you?

You might also enjoy these Ireland posts:

• The Ultimate 2 Day Dublin Itinerary
• The Ultimate Northern Ireland Itinerary + Game of Thrones Journey of Doors
• Visiting the Blarney Stone: Bucket List Ireland
• Visiting Waterford Crystal: Incredible Ireland

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