Drive or cycle the dramatic Ring of Kerry
Follow the 179-kilometre coastal circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula past ancient stone forts, purple heather moors, Atlantic ocean panoramas, and the oak-wooded Lakes of Killarney.
At a glance
May to September for warm daylight, blooming wild fuchsia, and rhododendrons; autumn brings golden oak woodlands
Depart early (08:30) driving anti-clockwise to travel in the same direction as tour coaches on narrow roads
Full day (6 to 8 hours) driving the 179-kilometer loop with stops for viewpoints, beaches, and lunch
Scenic peninsula coastal touring & national park exploration · Self-drive or cycling
Easy (moderate if cycling or walking sections of the Kerry Way footpath)
Drop-in possible (scenic roads are free public highways)
The quintessential emerald landscape of the Kingdom of Kerry
Tracing the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland, the Ring of Kerry (N70/N71) is widely celebrated as one of the world's most romantic scenic drives. The route encompasses the complete spectrum of Irish natural beauty: from the mossy, ancient sessile oak woods and red deer herds of Killarney National Park—Ireland's first national park—to the rugged, wind-carved granite headlands and sandy Atlantic bays of the southwest coast.
Winding along mountain passes flanked by MacGillycuddy's Reeks (home to Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest peak at 1,038m), the route is lined with stone ring forts, colourfully painted fishing villages like Portmagee and Sneem, and dry-stone walls draped in crimson fuchsia hedges. Gazing out from the Kerry Cliffs toward the jagged, triangular sea pinnacle of Skellig Michael—where 6th-century Christian monks built a hermitage clinging to barren Atlantic rocks—the feeling of being at the edge of the known world is palpable.
A journey around the Iveragh Peninsula
Depart Killarney via Ladies View and Moll's Gap
Drive south through Killarney National Park past Torc Waterfall and stop at Ladies View for the classic vista of the three lakes nestled between the mountains.
Detour onto the Skellig Ring to Portmagee
Leave the main road for the spectacular Skellig Ring detour, standing atop the 300-metre Kerry Cliffs overlooking the Atlantic and Skellig Michael.
Walk Derrynane beach and return via Sneem
Stroll along the white sands and tidal sandspits of Derrynane Harbour before driving through the postcard village of Sneem back to Killarney.
Plan your experience
When to go
May, June, and September offer the finest driving weather, lighter road traffic, and vivid wild fuchsia blooms. In July and August, start your drive early (before 09:00) to stay ahead of large tourist coaches.
Getting there
Killarney has excellent rail and bus connections from Dublin and Cork. Car rental is available at Killarney, Kerry Airport (Farranfore, 15 mins away), or Cork Airport (1 hour 15 mins away).
Booking & permits
The driving route is entirely free. If you wish to take an offshore boat landing tour to Skellig Michael, tickets are strictly limited and must be booked months in advance (runs May through September only).
What to bring
- Camera with charged battery and wide-angle lens for sweeping lake and coastal viewpoints
- Waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes for coastal stops and garden trails
- Coins for small parking machines at selected scenic stops and the Kerry Cliffs entrance
Before you go
- Drive ANTI-CLOCKWISE (Killarney -> Killorglin -> Cahersiveen -> Sneem -> Kenmare -> Killarney): large tour buses are legally required to drive this direction to prevent gridlock on narrow roads.
- Don't skip the 'Skellig Ring' coastal detour between Portmagee and Ballinskelligs: tour buses cannot fit on this narrow lane, making it the most dramatic and peaceful section.
Official information
Always verify permits, seasonal weather conditions and access directly with public authorities:
Official government portal for Killarney National Park conservation, Muckross House, and hiking maps.
Official county tourism portal covering the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Coast, local food trails, and artisan crafts.
Ways to experience it
Rent a car in Killarney to drive the full loop at your own pace, stopping for seafood chowder at The Moorings in Portmagee and walking Derrynane beach.
Book a small-group minibus day tour departing from Killarney town center with an experienced Kerry driver-guide sharing folklore and regional history.
Certified providers & operators
Wild Kerry Day Tours (Derous Tours)
Guided Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring small-group excursions
Long-standing local family-owned tour company operating daily from Killarney with experienced Kerry driver-guides
Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
Victorian estate visits & historic working farms
Centrally located heritage estate in Killarney National Park with traditional 1930s working Kerry farmhouses