Explore the Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry route is one of the most popular road circuits in southwest Ireland. 144km of true bliss, it traverses the Inveragh Peninsula and is dotted with many tourist destinations along the way.

Ring of Kerry | 2024

Ireland boasts of some Europe’s most beautiful scenery, and the best way to enjoy it is to hire a car. Unlike commercial tours, which are rushed, noisy, and stressful, driving through Ireland by car allows you to choose your destinations, take frequent detours, dawdle as long as you like, and savour the privacy of being with close family and friends.

Killarney is easily one of Ireland’s best places to explore by car. This is partly due to its rolling landscapes and nature reserves, where fields stretch for miles around before exploding into thick forest.

The peaceful scenery makes car travel very pleasant and relaxing, and can be considered an attraction in itself. There are also many things to do in Killarney. Visitors enjoy Muckross House, Killarney National Park and Ross Castle.

Torc Waterfall is approximately 7 kilometres from Killarney Town, this is a popular walking route for those who like to explore outdoors and experience the best of Killarney National Park. 10 minutes down the road is the ladies view, do make sure to stop here to enjoy the views.

You can also enjoy a different kind of “driving” at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Clubs, recognised as some of the best of their kind in the world. Killarney has several picnic grounds and delightful nooks.

Ring of Kerry map

The Ring of Kerry is a visual delight for anyone who travels it – majestic mountains, beautiful panoramas, ancient sites, and little out-of-the-way towns can be visited along its ring of kerry route.

Although the area is travelled by a large volume of coach tours, intrepid travellers can always chart their own course. Renting a car at Kerry Airport and driving through the Ring of Kerry is a wonderful experience. In fact, a car trip through Ireland is the best way to see the country.

For car travellers the best place to start the tour is at the market town of Killorglin, located at the banks of the River Laune. From the town you can see MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. But what makes the town famous is the Puck Fair held every August. The route will then take you to Caragh Lake – a favourite haunt for fishermen. This then leads to Glenbeigh. That same road will then take you to Cahersiveen, which overlooks Valencia Island – the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell.

From here the next stop would be Waterville, a quaint resort town and home of the world famous Waterville Links Golf Course. The car trip will then take you past Staigue Fort in Castlecove – this is an old stone fort that dates back to the 3rd century. Next is the colourful town of Sneem, located near a swift and picturesque river. Finally, the tour stops at the heritage town of Kenmare.

To see the map in detail, please visit the ring of kerry map which is suitable for touring or cycling.

The Ring of Kerry car trip can take a whole day, but a three- or four-day trip will allow you to visit all the destinations as well as other less-travelled parts of the area.