Ring of Kerry In Ireland | Favorite Stops
If site seeing and landscape viewing is on your list during your visit to Ireland, then you must go to County Kerry and drive the famous Ring of Kerry!
The Ring of Kerry in Ireland is 80 miles of spectacular coastal scenery, packed with history, heritage, and things to do. You will encounter many small towns along the way, each one unique with their own collection of shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels.
The drive itself is beautiful but there are several stops you must take to experience the beautiful landscape The Ring of Kerry in Ireland has to offer. Be sure to take your time and plan to be on the ring for the whole day.
Killarney National Park
If you love epic natural landscapes, wildlife, and extraordinary views…than you will LOVE Killarney National Park. This was Ireland’s first National Park!
This part of the country is covered with mountains, valleys, forests, lakes, and waterfalls. No wonder it is a national treasure! The rolling green hills were spectacular and seeing mountains climb into the sky was surprising.
I never thought of Ireland as being mountainous before visiting. There is so much lush greenery all around. The roads are so narrow and windy, it really is an experience like no other.
Muckross House
Muckross House, in Killarney National Park, is a historic house and garden located in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.
It was built between 1843 and 1850 by the architect Sir Richard Morrison (1789-1858) for John Langford Gregory (1788-1874).
The house is situated within Muckross Estate, which includes the Muckross House gardens and the Muckross Estate Gardens. The estate is owned by the Office of Public Works (OPW), who manage it as a tourist attraction and protected national monument.
Muckross House is a Tudor style mansion with some Italian features. It is a beautiful architectural marvel.
Torc Waterfall
The Torc Waterfall is a short hike from the Muckross House parking lot through beautiful and well kept trails.
There is also a small parking lot off of the road that leads you right to the waterfall but it is almost always full.
The waterfall is a short hike into the woods. From there you can keep trekking up the stairs and follow some more trails. The water is cool and clear and the greenery is lush.
Quintessential Ireland!
Ladies View
Farther down the road N71 is Ladies View. It is named Ladies View after Queen Victoria’s “ladies-in-waiting”. They were so enamored by the view that the country decided to name it after them.
There is a decent sized parking lot where you can get out and take in the view. Plenty of rocks are available to sit on, but you can also go into the restaurant and sit upstairs to take it all in while eating or sipping on a Guiness.
The view is so serene.
Moll’s Gap
Molls Gap on the Ring of Kerry is a beautiful mountain pass carved out be glaciers in the last ice age.
It is definitely more rocky and mountainous than the beginning of the Ring of Kerry.
You can see the landscape beginning to change.
Gap of Dunloe
The Gap of Dunloe is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland.
It is similar to Moll’s Gap in that it is also a mountain pass carved out be glaciers! The Gap of Dunloe is a valley that is situated in between two mountains.
The Gap has been carefully carved out by a river over thousands of years. The river runs through the valley, creating waterfalls and pools along the way. When visiting I noticed that the wind really picked up in the gap in between the mountains.
It is a natural wonder that will put anybody in awe of its sheer magnitude and brilliance! Go early in the morning and you will be the only ones there!
You can park at Kate Kearney’s Cottage parking lot (which is a restaurant) and walk down the road to the Gap of Dunloe. You can also take a Jaunting Car (horse and carriage) down the road as well.
Kerry Cliffs/Valentia Island
Kerry Cliffs are the most spectacular cliffs in County Kerry towering at 1000 ft.
You can sit and watch the waves crash into the cliffs breathing in that cool ocean air. You can also view Puffin Island where if you time it right, you can see Puffins!
There are also cruises that you can take down on the water to get a different view of the cliffs and surrounding islands.
Ross Castle
This magnificent castle was built in the 15th century. It is always open to the public to explore and walk around. It sits right on the Lower Lake and has beautiful views all around. There is a good size parking lot for visitors as well.
This castle is in great shape and has been well taken care of over the years. It is incredible that such a structure built 600 years ago is still standing so strong!
The Ring of Kerry in Ireland is one of the most scenic drives, and a big favorite with tourists and locals alike.
The road takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of County Kerry, providing wonderful views over the Atlantic ocean and mountains.
The route begins at Killarney National Park, and takes you through scenic towns such as Kenmare, Waterville and Sneem before returning to Killarney.
The Ring of Kerry route is approximately 150 km (93 miles) long and takes approximately 3 hours to drive in total. However, many people choose to stop along the way to explore some of the attractions along this picturesque route.
The Ring of Kerry in Ireland is a great place to visit and drives around the ring have become some of the most popular tourist activities in County Kerry. T
here’s something in it for everybody and you’ll certainly have a blast doing it.
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