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This 179-kilometre loop traces the edge of the Iveragh Peninsula, passing 1,038-metre mountains, Iron Age stone forts, and Atlantic cliff drops. You'll drive through oak woodlands and towns like Waterville before finishing at the lakes of Killarney National Park.
Find Guided ToursThe Ring of Kerry is a 179-kilometre loop around the Iveragh Peninsula in south-western Ireland. Bounded by Dingle Bay to the north and Kenmare Bay to the south, the single road corridor faces the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It traces the foothills of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. This mountain range holds Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest peak at 1,038 metres. Most drivers tackle the circuit clockwise from Killarney, following the N71, N70, and N72 through towns like Sneem and Waterville.
The geography shifts from the 10,000 hectares of oak and yew woodlands in Killarney National Park to sandy beaches like Rossbeigh and Derrynane. Coastal stretches feature sheer drops, notably the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, with the Skellig Islands rising offshore. At night, the peninsula sits beneath the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve — the only Gold Tier reserve in the northern hemisphere.
Local communities used these paths for trade and pilgrimage long before tarmac existed. The land holds dense clusters of Bronze and Iron Age remains. You can still walk inside drystone ring forts like Cahergal and Staigue Fort. Staigue's mortarless walls stand over five metres high and four metres thick.
Tourism took hold in the 19th century. Queen Victoria toured the area in 1861, putting viewpoints like Ladies View on the map for Victorian travellers. The region is also tied to Daniel O'Connell, whose family home, Derrynane House, operates as a national historic park. In 1932, the Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State to create Killarney National Park, the country's first. Today, the loop forms a core stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Discover the full history and cultural significance on our About page.
Boats drop you 12 kilometres offshore at a 6th-century monastic settlement. You climb 618 uneven stone steps to reach preserved beehive huts built into the rock. Tours run only from May to September. Book directly with boat operators months ahead, as rough seas frequently cancel the crossing.
A 500-metre uphill walk from the car park leads to unfenced Atlantic drop-offs near Portmagee. These sea cliffs look straight out toward the Skellig Islands. High winds and winter storms can close the viewpoints early. Wear heavy layers and sturdy boots for the mud.
Near Sneem sits one of Ireland's most intact prehistoric ring forts. Builders stacked the drystone walls five metres high and four metres thick without a single drop of mortar. The ground inside stays uneven. Entry requires a voluntary donation rather than a formal ticket.
The route cuts through 10,000 hectares of oak and yew woodlands, skirting the Lakes of Killarney. Stop at Ladies View to see the water stretching toward the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Parking spots fill fast in July and August. Arrive before 9:00 am to beat the tour coaches.
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Free Cancellation 6h May, June, and September balance long daylight hours and settled weather with lighter traffic. You'll avoid the heavy mid-summer tour-bus congestion while ensuring seasonal boat tours are actually running.
May brings long daylight, calmer weather, and the May 9 opening of Skellig Michael boat tours. March and April stay quiet, but there's a higher risk of wind and rain.
July and August are warmest, but they'll pack the narrow coastal roads with rental cars and tour coaches. June offers a better balance of peak daylight and manageable traffic.
September provides ideal touring conditions with fewer coaches and open seasonal attractions. By November, daylight drops sharply, rain increases, and Skellig Michael boat tours shut down for the year.
These months bring the shortest days, high winds, and frequent rain. Winter storms regularly force early closures at exposed viewpoints like the Kerry Cliffs, so driving is often a slog.
The Ring of Kerry is a public road open 24 hours a day, year-round. You can drive the route or walk the paths of Killarney National Park at any time. Individual attractions keep strict schedules. Muckross House opens daily at 9:15am. It closes at 5:30pm in winter, 6:00pm in spring and autumn, and 7:00pm during July and August. Kerry Cliffs let visitors in from 9:30am to 6:30pm. Bad weather frequently shuts these cliff paths early. Skellig Michael landing tours operate strictly between May 9 and September 30, with boats leaving once each morning between 8:00am and 11:00am.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Ring of Kerry Drive & Killarney National Park | Free |
| Muckross House - Adult | €9.00 |
| Muckross House - Senior/Student (18+) | €7.50 |
| Muckross House - Child (6-18) | €6.00 |
| Muckross House - Family (2 adults, 2 children) | €26.00 |
| Kerry Cliffs | €5.00 per person |
| Skellig Michael Landing Tour | €130-€145 per person |
| Skellig Coastal Eco Tour (non-landing) | €60-€75 per person |
| Staigue Fort | Voluntary donation |
Skellig Michael landing tours have strict daily limits and sell out fast. Book directly through licensed boat operators months in advance. Always check the Kerry Cliffs official website for sudden weather closures before driving out to the site.
For complete schedules and ticket prices, visit our Hours & Fees page.
Killarney is the traditional starting point for the 179-kilometre loop. You can reach the town by driving from Cork, flying into Kerry Airport, or taking a train from Dublin.
📍 Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Cork is the closest major city. You drive roughly 90 kilometres west along the N22 national road directly into Killarney. Rental cars are available at both Cork Airport and the city centre. The route has no tolls. Having a car ready lets you start the loop clockwise toward Kenmare right away.
Irish Rail operates departures from Dublin Heuston down to Killarney. You will need to change trains once at Mallow along the way. The trip covers about 300 kilometres of track. Upon arrival, you are right at the traditional start of the Ring. Several coach operators run their daily circuits directly from the Killarney station area.
Kerry Airport near Farranfore handles direct connections from Dublin and London. It is the fastest entry point to the region. After landing, Killarney sits just a 20-minute drive south. You can pick up a rental car directly at the terminal. Driving away from the airport puts you right at the traditional start of the route.
For detailed transport options and routes, visit our Directions page.
Tour coaches travel anticlockwise through Killorglin by informal convention. The N70 and N71 coastal roads are narrow with blind bends. Head clockwise toward Kenmare first. This keeps you from getting stuck behind slow-moving buses and prevents tight head-on encounters.
Tour buses start rolling out of Killarney around 9:30 am. Hit the road earlier. You'll have a much easier time finding parking at popular pull-offs like Ladies View. By July and August, those small lots fill up fast.
The monastic site only opens from May 9 to September 30. Licensed boats make just one trip a day. They sell out months in advance. Book directly through an operator's website and build flexibility into your schedule, since rough seas frequently cancel crossings.
Standard hours run from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. But weather on the Iveragh Peninsula shifts fast. Staff will close the site early or entirely during high winds. Check their official update page that morning before driving out to Portmagee.
Muckross House gardens offer paved, accessible paths. Rugged spots are another story. The Kerry Cliffs and Staigue Fort involve uneven ground and uphill walks from the car parks. Neither location rents mobility equipment, so bring your own gear from Killarney or Tralee.
Camping and open fires are strictly prohibited inside Killarney National Park. Rangers actively enforce dry-spell bans to protect the ancient Reenadinna yew woodland. Keep dogs on a lead at all times. This stops them from chasing the native red deer herd.
This neighboring peninsula matches the sheer coastal drops of the Ring of Kerry but with lighter traffic. Drive the Slea Head route to spot ancient beehive huts and the brightly painted pubs in Dingle town.
Glaciers carved this narrow mountain pass near Killarney National Park. Walk, cycle, or hire a pony-and-trap to ride between the steep rock walls down into the Black Valley.
Cross by bridge or ferry to stand above the Atlantic at the Fogher Cliffs. The island houses a historic transatlantic cable station and launches the daily boat tours to Skellig Michael.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Ring of Kerry — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Planning advice, comparisons, and practical tips.
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The 179-kilometre loop takes about three and a half hours of non-stop driving. Most people budget five to eight hours to include lunch and photo stops. Splitting the trip over two days lets you add Killarney National Park and the Skellig Ring without rushing.
Go clockwise, starting from Killarney toward Kenmare on the N71. Tour coaches travel anticlockwise via Killorglin because the coastal roads are too narrow for two buses to pass. Driving clockwise keeps you from getting stuck behind them.
Driving or cycling the public road network is free. You'll only pay for specific attractions along the way. Muckross House charges €9.00 for adults, Kerry Cliffs costs €5 per person, and Staigue Fort asks for a voluntary donation.
Killarney is the traditional starting point. You can drive 90 kilometres from Cork in under two hours on the N22, or take a train from Dublin Heuston via Mallow for €30 to €60. Flights into Kerry Airport put you a 20-minute drive from town.
Yes, landing tours sell out months ahead. Licensed operators run just one trip per day between 9 May and 30 September, departing Portmagee between 8:00 and 11:00 am. Tickets cost around €130 to €145 per person and must be booked directly through operators like Casey's.
Bring sturdy, waterproof footwear and weatherproof layers. Coastal stops like the Kerry Cliffs and ancient ring forts are completely exposed to Atlantic winds and rain. The ground at these sites is often uneven and muddy.
It's mixed. Muckross House gardens have paved, wheelchair-friendly paths, but many coastal sites do not. The Kerry Cliffs require a 500-metre uphill walk from the car park, and neither the cliffs nor the Skellig Ring sites have on-site wheelchair rentals.
May, June, and September have long daylight hours and quieter roads. July and August are the warmest but clog the narrow N70 with rental cars and tour buses. Winter storms from November through February can force cliff viewpoints to close early.
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