ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula) offers incredible beauty and is a natural centre for outdoor pursuits such as golf, water-sports, cycling, walking, running, horse riding and the very best sea fishing and freshwater angling. The stunning scenery make it a photographer’s paradise. Given its location facing the mighty Atlantic Ocean and shaped by our weather, the Ring of Kerry also has some of Europe's finest beaches.

We will begin our tour of the Ring of Kerry in Killarney and then on through Killorglin, home to one of Ireland’s oldest festivals, Puck Fair. The fair takes place from the 10th to the 12th of August each year, where a wild mountain goat is crowned King Puck on day one. He is hoisted on to an elevated platform in the square and remains there until the conclusion of the festival on the third day. Locals will tell you that this festival is 400 years old.

Leaving Killorglin behind us, we head for Caherciveen with views of Dingle Bay to our right, and on to Renard where we board the ferry to Valentia Island. Valentia was the landing point of the first transatlantic telegraph in 1858. We will depart Valentia via the bridge and stop off for lunch in the fishing village of Portmagee.

After lunch we will move on to the Kerry Cliffs where the road climbs towards Coomanaspic Pass with picturesque, panoramic views on both sides. We will drive the Skellig Ring viewing the Skellig Rock (Unesco Heritage Site) where scenes from  ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015) and ’Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ (2017) were shot.

In Ballinskelligs, we will visit McCarthy’s Castle before moving on to Waterville, which was a holiday favourite of the late Charlie Chaplin. Moving on from Waterville, our next stop is at Derrynane House boasting magnificent gardens. From here we continue on to Kenmare, a charming town with numerous pubs and restaurants. We will return to Killarney via Moll’s Gap enjoying excellent views of the Lakes of Killarney whilst absorbing the landscape of the foothills of the McGillycuddy Reeks.

With Kerry Executive Travel, flexibility is key, if there are any specific locations on this tour that you would like to visit we would be delighted to oblige.

Duration: Full day / 9 hours. Eg. 9am - 6pm