The Ring of Kerry is considered one of the finest drives in the world. From rugged cliffs to golden beaches, small villages to peat bogs, and green pastures to picturesque mountain ranges, it is awe-inspiring.
Killgorin
Dating back to 1613, the ancient Celtic Puck Fair originated in Killgorin. Here, a goat is crowned king of the village and placed on a pedestal for three days in August each year. This is also where the Ring of Kerry tour commences.
Bog Village
Set at the foot of the Mcgillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range, the Kerry Bog Village is an open-air museum between Killorglin and Glenbeigh. The museum recreates traditional Irish thatched cottages and the lives of their inhabitants during the 19th century.
It features a turf cutter’s dwelling, a forge, a stable dwelling, a laborer’s cottage, a thatcher’s dwelling, boglands, Kerry bog ponies, and Irish wolfhounds.
There is also an abandoned house typical of the evictions concurrent with the Great Hunger.
Dingle Bay
Inch Beach, across Dingle Bay, is where the young and great warrior Oisín, son of the legendary Finn MacCool, returned from the magical land of Tír Na nÓg.
As the story goes, Oisín fell in love with Niamh. He rode with her on a fine white horse to Tír Na nÓg, the Land of Eternal Youth. Although they spent many happy times together, Oisín’s missed his homeland. Niamh agreed to let him return, but only if his feet did not touch the ground. Although Oisín thought that only a few years had passed, it had been 300 years. When his feet touched the ground on Inch Beach, he immediately became an old man and died.
Waterville
We stopped for lunch at the Lobster Pub in the quiet Irish village of Waterville on the Atlantic Ocean. Waterville was Charlie Chaplin’s favorite holiday destination, earning him a statue right in Mick O’Dwyer Park.
Derrynane Bay
Darrynane Bay is part of the Derrynane National Historic Park. A mile-long sandy beach is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The scenic vista is walking distance to Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, a prominent Irish politician also known as “The Liberator.”
Sneem
Sneem (An tSnaidhm) translates into the English “The Knot.” There are several explanations as to why a “knot” would be relevant for this small and colorful village. First, the River Sneem flows through the village, producing a knot-like swirling where the river meets the currents of Kenmare Bay in the estuary below the village.
Muckross Lakes
The Lakes of Killarney—Muckross Lake, Upper Lake, and Lough Leane—are surrounded by Ireland’s largest mountain range, The MacGillycuddy Reeks.
The Irish Times ranked the scenic Ladies View as one of the most photographed places in Ireland. Its name stems from the admiration of the view given by Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during her 1861 visit to Ireland. It features a café, a gift shop, and several impatient bus drivers.
Tor Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is a 66-foot high, 360-foot-long cascade at the base of Torc Mountain, in the Killarney National Park. It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the parking area. Its name comes from Irish Easach Toirc, meaning “cascade of the wild boar.” Legend has it that the warrior, Finn MacCool, killed a magical boar on Torc mountain with his golden spear.
Along the Road
Cáitín’s Pub & Hostel is a family-run B&B with panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula. Avoca at Moll’s Gap offers food, beverage, and shopping also with great views. The Black Valley (Cummeenduff) is a place of outstanding natural beauty south of The Gap of Dunloe and north of Moll’s Gap. It holds the distinction of being the last place in Ireland to be connected to the national electric grid in 1976 and still has very poor mobile phone reception.
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