The Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile loop around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, and it’s been on bucket lists for decades. But here’s the thing: most people drive it without knowing where to actually stop. The result? A blur of green hills and a vague sense they missed something.
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The route is spectacular, no question. But the magic is in the stops—the stone forts, the mountain passes, the harbor villages where you can taste smoked salmon and hear a story or two. Here’s where to pull over, step out, and let the Ring of Kerry work its spell.
Start in Killorglin and Don’t Skip Cahersiveen
Most travelers begin in Killarney and head counterclockwise, which keeps you on the ocean side and makes for easier stopping. The first real town is Killorglin, home to the Puck Fair each August, but worth a quick wander year-round for its riverside setting and traditional shopfronts.
Pull Over for Valentia Island and the Skellig Ring
Just past Cahersiveen, a bridge leads to Valentia Island. The detour adds maybe 30 minutes, but the payoff is huge. Drive to the westernmost point and visit the Skellig Experience, where you’ll learn about the ancient monastic site on Skellig Michael—even if you’re not heading out to the island itself.
The views from Bray Head and Geokaun Mountain are some of the finest in Ireland. On a clear day, you can see the Skelligs rising from the Atlantic like stone pyramids. If you have time, take the smaller Skellig Ring route instead of heading straight back to the main road. It’s quieter, more dramatic, and offers glimpses of stone walls, sheep, and the kind of untouched landscape that feels like stepping back a century.
Ladies View, Moll’s Gap, and the Mountain Passes
After looping through Waterville—a seaside village where Charlie Chaplin used to vacation—the Ring turns inland and climbs into the mountains. This is where the landscapes shift from coastal drama to wild, open moorland.
Moll’s Gap is the first major viewpoint, named after Moll Kissane, who once ran a coaching inn here. There’s a small café and craft shop, but the real reason to stop is the view south over Kenmare and Dingle Bay. A few miles later, Ladies View overlooks the Lakes of Killarney and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the country, and rightly so.
Both stops can get crowded midday in summer, so aim for early morning or late afternoon if you can. The light is better, and you might have the place to yourself.
Finish in Kenmare or Loop Back Through Killarney
Kenmare is the Ring’s southern anchor—a heritage town with colorful storefronts, excellent restaurants, and a slower pace than Killarney. If you’re ending here, have lunch at Jam or The Boathouse, and browse the woolen mills and artisan shops along the main streets.
If you’re completing the loop back to Killarney, plan for six to eight hours total, including stops. That’s not rushing, but it’s not dawdling either. If you want to hike, visit a castle, or sit in a pub for a proper meal, give yourself a full day or break it into two.
One last tip: drive counterclockwise. The coaches go clockwise, and you’ll spend half the day stuck behind them if you follow the same route.
The Ring of Kerry isn’t just about ticking off a famous drive. It’s about stopping where the land opens up, where the villages still feel lived-in, and where the Atlantic crashes against rocks that have stood for millennia. Done right, it’s one of the best days you’ll spend in Ireland.
If Ireland has a hold on you, two things are worth your time. First, our free guide The Ireland Bucket List — 25 places that will stop you in your tracks, sent straight to your inbox. Second, the Love Ireland channel on YouTube, where we tell the stories behind these places in short films.