This is one of the most famed tourist trails in the world, the spectacular unspoiled beauty of the Ring of Kerry boasts beaches, landscape and an ancient heritage found nowhere else. The Ring of Kerry comprises 180km of outstanding natural beauty.
Start from Killarney and travel all round the Iveragh Peninsula. The route allows you to capture amazing pictures of seascape, beaches, cliffs, mountain and lakes. It is home to over 2000 archaeological remains and is the most extensive and varied of the Peninsula fingers. This a route for a day or a week.
Leaving Killarney, veer left for the Killorglin road, pass Killarney Golf Club on your left (1.5 miles) and you are on the road to Killorglin. Killorglin is famous for a Puck Fair pagan festival dating back 3000 years (10th, 11th and 12th August). Further on you will also pass the Red Fox Inn and Traditional Bog Village.
Next stop is Glenbeigh, it has a beautiful beach at Rossbeigh, and 3 miles of sandy beach and head back to the N70 to Kells or go over the mountain at Cahill's pub (cars only) to join the N70. From the mountain stage there is a great view of Dingle bay, this is a good spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.
Caherciveen is next, at the new bridge on the left can be seen the birth place of Daniel O'Connell “The Liberator” and hero to the Irish people in the 1800's. It is also home of two stone forts dating back to the 9th.Century; all visitor information can be found at the tower like building, a refurbished R.I.C Barracks near the town centre. There is also a Train Engine here that was used here on the old Railway.You can also find Ballycabbery Castle (ruin) once a fortress to
The McCarthy Mór. Leaving Caherciveen on your right hand side you can see Valentia Island which can be accessed from Caherciveen by a car ferry at Renard pier and exit at the bridge in Portmagee on the other side of Valentia.Valentia was where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid to America in 1857, you can also visit the Slate Quarry and the Light House, there are many remains of old structures including Stone (Ring) Forts and Churches. Out to Sea you can see The Skellig Rocks (700 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean) was used by monks as a monastery from the 5th. Century, you can visit the rocks by boat and is highly recommended. You now have an option to take the "Skellig Ring" and visit Saint Finians Bay, it is a narrow road but worth it for the scenery, it is breath-taking, natural rugged Irish Coastline. Go to Ballinskelligs and then head on to Waterville.
Heading on to Waterville turn right at the church and right again and head to the Waterville golf course. Why not drop in to the club house for lunch, after lunch walk the beach to stretch your legs, Charlie Chaplin, Shirley McClaine, Walt Disney, Tiger Woods, Pane Stuart and Michael Jordan have all visited here. Next you travel on one mile to the Village along where Charlie Chaplin used to walk every morning and park on the right side and take a walk on the promenade. You can visit Charlie Chaplin's statue.
Leaving Waterville you head up and over the mountains at Coomakista Pass, park here and enjoy the views, to the north Ballinskelligs Bay and to the south Derrynane and Castlecove, in the far distance you can see Co. Cork. If it is a nice day go to Derrynane, there is a beautiful beach here. You can also visit Daniel O'Connell's home which is now a museum.
After Caherdaniel head for Staigue Fort (2500 years old) and experience the way it was, 2500 years ago for the Celt's. Next stop Sneem home of the Legend Casey brothers, The New York times wrote: “The Toughest Family That Ever Lived “. Steve Casey was the undisputed world wrestling Champion for more than ten years, when wrestling was very hard. Joe Louis refused many offers from Steve Casey as he feared this Irish man who could box as well as wrestle, there is a life size statue of Steve ( the crusher ) Casey on the left as you leave Sneem. It is said his hands were 15 inches wide form the point of his Thumb to the point of his little finger.
To complete the Ring of Kerry you head to Kenmare next or turn left and head for Molls Gap, here you will have a good view of the Mountains of Kerry, left at Molls Gap and you will see lakes on your left with the Black Valley and the Head of the Gap (the Gap of Dunloe ) in the distance. You will pass the Upper Lake and the Middle Lake before you get to Torc Waterfall on your right and then on to Muckross House and Gardens, well worth a visit and stretch those legs after a great day.
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