Ring of Kerry, ireland
Attractions Guide

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most popular routes to drive in Ireland, this itinerary will take you along the famous coastal section of the route, with the sights listed in order, starting on the southern side of the Iveragh Peninsula near Sneem.

First you can briefly stop to admire the Iron Age remains of the Staigue Stone Fort if you like. Along the coast you can stop to view the beautiful waters and surrounding scenery at Derrynane Beach.

Just beyond Derrynane are two incredible viewpoint along the Ring of Kerry Road, the View Point at Scariff Island, and the Ring of Kerry Lookout and Car Park, both of which offer gorgeous views over some of the most scenic coastline and islands of the Ring of Kerry.

Continuing on the Ring of Kerry you'll be driving along Balinskelligs Bay, where you might like to stop to take in views at Waterville Beach, which sits on the middle of the bay surrounded by an incredible landscape.

Near the end of the bay is the town of Ballinskelligs, where you can admire the quaint ruins of the Ballinskelligs Castle and the Ballinskelligs Abbey, both offering panoramic coastal views accessible with only a short walk from the beach parking lot.

Some of the most stunning cliffs along the way are the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, featuring breathtaking views over these rugged cliffs, which some people say are just as scenic as the Cliffs of Moher.

From Portmagee you should strongly consider taking the ferry to Great Skellig Island (also called Skellig Michael), a tiny island just off the coast. Here you can take a hike amongst unbelievably beautiful scenery on this jagged rocky island.

The main attraction of Great Skellig Island is the unique St. Fionan's Monastery monastic complex built by monks in the 7th century in stone dome shapes, which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The island also features the Skelligs Lighthouse, amazing ocean views, sheer cliffs, and even puffin birds amongst a surreal landscape.

After exploring the island, you can drive over the bridge from Portmagee to Valentia Island where you'll find several great coastal viewpoints, including the Telegraph Field overlooking beautiful Foilhommerum Bay, and the heavenly panoramic views from Geokaun Mountain & Fogher Cliffs.

Nearby you can view the Valentia Island Tetrapod Footprints, tracks imprinted in the rocks of some of the first land animals from hundreds of millions of years ago. Also on the small island is the charming Valentia Lighthouse featuring more stunning views over different parts of the coastline.

Continue back to the mainland to the lovely 16th century ruins of the Ballycarbery Castle set on the picturesque coast. Unfortunately you can only view this castle from the nearby parking lot as it sits on private land.

Very close-by the Ballycarbery Castle you can admire the remains of two stone forts that are both over 1,000 years old, the Cahergall Stone Fort and Leacanabuaile Stone Fort.

Rossbeigh Strand Beach

One more stop to consider just before heading inland is the Rossbeigh Strand, a beach offering magnificent views of the gorgeous scenery and coastal rolling grassy hills surrounding it.