Ring of Kerry Tour, Ireland

 

Dan Murphy’s Bar, Sneem, Ring of Kerry

This evening, I am focusing on one of Ireland’s top scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry which covers a route encircling the Iveragh Peninsula in S.W. Ireland. The start point of Killarney is some 300 km/200 miles S.W. of Dublin.

I have always covered the route in a clockwise direction as follows:

  • Killarney with Lakes of Killarney and views of MacGillicuddy’s Reeks (mountains).
  • Muckross House and gardens. Here visitors can avail of a horse-drawn, Jaunty Car ride.
  • Ladies View: Viewpoint offering stunning views of Killarney Lakes, with name attributed to Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during visit in 1861.
  • Torc Waterfall, close to Muckross House.

 

Torc Waterfall

  • Moll’s Gap: Stunning views over bogland and mountains.
  • Sneem: Very colourful and popular village through which runs the River Sneem. Good spot for a refreshment stop.
  • Staigue Fort: An Iron-Age, dry-stone fort (about 2000 years old) set on a hill.
  • Derrynane House, the 16th century former home of Daniel O’Connell who organised a Catholic emancipation movement in the 19th century.
  • Cahersiveen: Main town on the peninsula with a heritage centre.

 

Cahersiveen

  • Glenbeigh: Here can be visited the reconstructed cottages forming a 19th century ‘bog village’.
  • Killorgin: Pretty village on banks of River Laune famous for its Puck Fair.

To cover the circuit entails a 107 km/66 mile journey along narrow roads which lasts one full day.

Muckross House, Killarney

Irish Jaunty Car at Muckross House

Ladies View, Ring of Kerry

River Sneem at Sneem, Iveragh Peninsula

Sneem, Iveragh Peninsula

Derrynane Bay, Iveragh Peninsula

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