Explore The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry in 1 Day

The Ring of Kerry is a pathway to observe some of the most breath-taking sights in all of Kerry, whilst also experiencing over 10,000 years of history and culture. The Ring of Kerry is best experienced when you allow yourself the full day to tour all it offers, only then will you understand the reason for its popularity and why it’s the second most popular driving route in all of Ireland.

The Ring of Kerry is a 179-kilometre-long (111-mile) circular route located in County Kerry, Ireland. The route when done clockwise starts from Killarney following the N71 to Kenmare, then on to the N70 around the Iveragh Peninsula to Killorglin, cruising through Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen, and Glenbeigh, and finally returning to Killarney via the N72. The route itself driving without stops would approximately take 2.5 hours, however it is suggested that you give yourself the day to get the most out of what is offered.

The Ring of Kerry offers an experience like no other tour and ticks off the boxes for most Kerry’s biggest attractions such as, The Gap of Dunloe, Derrynane House, Staigue Fort, Molls Gap, Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, Derrynane Beach, Coomakista viewpoint, The Kerry Cliffs and many more. The tour covers all categories of Irish life, from the hustle and bustle of Killarney to the quant villages and rural countryside of  South Kerry in the Iveragh Peninsula.

The Ring of Kerry is always and will always be the number one suggestion from locals and people who have toured Kerry previously when asked ‘what’s the best way to experience Kerry?’. The Ring of Kerry symbolises the eternality of life and beauty of nature reservation, every natural sight of beauty can be found. Ranging from beaches, bays, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, cliffs, mountains, forests, wildlife and much more is provided by nature for our viewing pleasure.

The Ring of Kerry can be enjoyed by driving yourself, bus tours, cycling, and even walking if you are up to the task. The variety in how its experienced and the availability of options in how it can be completed adds to the originality of the tour. Making it undeniably a must-do whilst you visit Kerry. The tour can be done at your own pace, stopping where you like and when you like, allowing yourself to fulfil your own desired path. Each area offers a separate experience to the last, and has its own attractions, views, restaurants, and activities. Making each stop off an exciting new adventure.

If you plan to take the full day touring The Ring of Kerry there is some excellent restaurants, bars, and cafés to stop for food and drink. Notably towns such as Kenmare, Waterville, Cahersiveen, and Portmagee offer a great selection of restaurants of all cuisines. Popular restaurants for lunch or dinner whilst touring The Ring of Kerry would be Kenmare Brewhouse, The Lobster Bar & Restaurant Waterville, The Oratory Pizza and Wine Bar Cahersiveen, and Fisherman’s Bar & Skellig Restaurant Portmagee. However, there are many more restaurants that cater to every need and provide fresh food with local producers whilst on the driver. For those with a sweet tooth, The Strawberry Field is a pancake cottage café in Kenmare with great sweet and savoury pancakes, with outdoor seating that possesses views of natural beauty of the Kerry countryside and mountain ranges as far as the eye can see. Skelligs Chocolate Factory and Café in Ballinskelligs provides a unique experience in touring the chocolate factory of your NEW favourite chocolate, whilst taking in the views of Skellig Rock, Puffin Island and the North Atlantic Ocean.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be arriving back to Killarney after a day of touring Kerry’s natural beauty, eating and drinking the best of food and drink, all to come back to the comfort of Scott’s Hotel where you can reminisce on the unforgettable experience of The Ring of Kerry.