The Ring of Kerry is rightfully considered the pearl of Ireland – a picturesque and the most popular route of about 179 km, which runs through the county of Kerry. The route is a large accumulation of ancestral palaces, ancient mansions, lakes, churches and pastures.
This splendor is set against the backdrop of the ever-rushing and turbulent Atlantic Ocean. Part of the route takes you through fishing villages and secluded, sandy beaches. If you’re looking for a change of scenery and a break from the landscapes, stop by one of the pubs and enjoy a delicious, foamy Irish beer. So, let’s embark on the Ring of Kerry route, stopping at the most captivating landmarks along the way.
General information
The Kerry Ring is the most visited route for travelers in Ireland. It is over 179 km long, and during this time, travelers enjoy a variety of historical, architectural, and cultural attractions:
- ross Castle;
- Macross House, where the museum is now located;
- Killarney;
- tork waterfall;
- Daniel O’Connell’s estate;
- boh village;
- St. Mary’s church;
- Skelling Islands.
The entire route can be covered with a tour group in a comfortable bus. However, locals and experienced tourists recommend renting a car. If you prefer outdoor activities and solitude, rent a bicycle – there are bicycle trails all over the Kerry Ring in Ireland.
It’s good to know! Cycling is only possible during the summer months, when there is minimal rainfall. During the rest of the year, when it rains, the roads become muddy, making it dangerous to travel alone.
The ring route starts in Killarney, from here the buses depart. The cost of the excursion is about 30 euros. For traveling in a car, it is a must to purchase a route map. They are sold in every shop.
The road winds down to the ocean coast, and then up into the sky, with viewing platforms along the way that offer beautiful, fairy-tale views. A special highlight of the route is the authentic fishing villages with their colorful houses. Each village has a typical Irish pub, where guests are sure to be treated to delicious beer.
Killarney
The starting point of the Kerry Ring Road in Ireland. Even if you don’t have time to visit other exciting places, make sure to set aside a few hours to explore this fascinating destination. The locals call Killarney a haven of comfort, offering a sense of homecoming. In the pubs of Killarney, you can enjoy the vibrant Irish music and dine on traditional Irish cuisine. The area is home to notable landmarks such as Macross Abbey, Ross Castle, and the Killarney National Park and Lakes.
An interesting fact! The three lakes of Killarney – Lower, Middle, and Upper – appeared during the Ice Age.
The largest lake is Loch Lane, which is 13.5 meters deep. There are also copper mines that were active 6,000 years ago. Between the lakes, there is a picturesque and peaceful yew grove. On Loch Killarney, there is a romantic viewpoint called “Ladies View.” According to one theory, ladies who passed by would gasp and sigh at the beautiful views.
In the national park, be sure to visit the Torq Waterfall, which is associated with a beautiful legend. A man named Tor was cursed to remain a man during the day and transform into a wild boar at night. People discovered his terrible transformations and banished him. The young man transformed into a ball of fire and jumped off a cliff. A rift appeared, and a stream of water gushed out. This is how the 18-meter-high Torq Waterfall was formed.
The Moher Rocks are 120-meter cliffs by the ocean
Snim Village
What else to see in Ireland on the Ring of Kerry? A small village, which is called a tourist casket. The main attraction is the An-Shteg fortress, built of stone. This ancient structure is a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO list.
The fort was built around 300 BC without the use of lime mortar as a defensive structure for the king.
An interesting fact! The main feature of the fort is its unique system of stairs and passages.
The village of Waterville
The Kerry route in Ireland is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. This resort village is situated in a picturesque area between the ocean and Lake Curran. It was home to the ancient aristocratic Butler family for a long time. Charlie Chaplin used to visit this village, and a monument has been erected in honor of the famous comedian on one of the village’s streets.
It’s good to know! The village of Waterville is a quiet, secluded, peaceful place where it’s pleasant to indulge in melancholy and gaze at the edge of the earth.
Ross Castle
The ancestral estate of the O’Donoghue clan is located on the shore of one of the most beautiful lakes, Lough Lane, in the Killarney National Park. The castle was built in the 15th century and is still considered the most impregnable structure in the country. Locals reverence it as a symbol of their struggle for independence and freedom.
It is believed that a good castle must have several legends, and in this regard, Ross can give any palace a run for its money. According to one legend, the owner of the castle was destroyed by an unknown force that literally pulled him out of his bedroom window. However, there is a continuation to the legend, where this unknown force pulled the man to the lake and dropped him at the bottom of the water. Since then, the owner of the estate has been living in the lake, controlling everything that happens in the castle.
Macross House
The estate museum is located 6 km from Killarney National Park. The building is a luxurious mansion built in the 19th century. The estate is surrounded by picturesque vegetation. The castle was owned by Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, Balfour Mary Herbert. Construction took four years, from 1839 to 1843. The castle has 45 rooms, including elegant reception halls and a kitchen. The exterior of the estate resembles an old English castle.
An interesting fact! In the middle of the 19th century, Queen Victoria of England visited Macross House. This visit had been awaited for 10 years.
The royal visit depleted the castle’s treasury, so its owners sold the house to the Guinness family. However, the new owners lived in the castle from 1899 to 1910, after which Macross House was acquired by an American named William Bourne. Twenty-two years later, the estate became the property of the Irish nation, and the castle was transformed into one of Ireland’s finest museum complexes. Today, the castle attracts approximately 250,000 tourists annually. The estate is surrounded by a beautiful garden with flowering rhododendrons.
It’s good to know! Near the estate is located the farm Macross, it was built especially for travelers, so that they could see and know the life of local peasants from the inside. Here you can visit the workshop, the smithy, the house of peasants, the shoemaker.
There is also a Franciscan monastery near the castle, which was built in the mid-15th century. The most popular attraction for tourists is the ancient cemetery, which is still in use today. Two famous Irish poets, O’Donoghue and O’Sullivan, are buried here.
Useful tips
- You can complete the entire route in one day, but if you have time, spend two days on the Kerry Ring Road to take in the best views and attractions at your own pace.
- You can stay later in the village of Waterville and play golf.
- The best time to visit the Ring of Kerry is in the summer. The only thing that can make the trip less enjoyable is the large number of cars. It is also possible to travel at other times of the year, but it is important to carefully check the weather forecast to avoid rain. Snow is almost non-existent on the peninsula.
- It is better to start the route around the Kerry Ring counterclockwise, as it will be more convenient to drive on the narrow roads.
- If you want to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and relax on the beaches, stay in the fishing villages of Glenbay or Cahersiveen.
- Do you want to be at the edge of the earth? Go to the Skellig Islands, specifically to the island of Valentia. It is best to start your journey from the settlements of Portmagh or Ballinskelligs.
- Before returning to Killarney, visit the Moles Gal Pass for the most picturesque views.
- When traveling along the Kerry route, be sure to bring an umbrella and sunglasses, as the weather on the peninsula can change in a matter of minutes.
- According to official documents, the Kerry Road is a 179-kilometer horseshoe that runs along the Iveragh Peninsula. However, a 214-kilometer loop is used for tourist routes. If you are cycling, follow the Kerry Way hiking trail.
The Kerry Ring Route is a true delight in the natural beauty of Ireland. During your journey, you will see sharp cliffs with traces of the Ice Age, deep lakes, dense forests inhabited by elves, fog-shrouded peatlands, sandy beaches, and the restless Atlantic Ocean. The Kerry Ring Route is a place for true romantics. Many sources recommend spending 1-2 days on the journey, but the longer you stay, the deeper you can immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions. No matter how much time you spend on the peninsula, this trip will stay with you for a long time.
