Top Ireland Car Driving Route

The Ring of Kerry – Top Ireland Car Driving Route

By Mairead Foley

The 'Ring of Kerry' has become a major attraction with tour buses carrying eager visitors around the route every day.

By driving, you can adapt the trip to suit yourself, so you can stop where you want, and take in the fresh air and breathtaking scenery for as long as you like. Firstly, it is advisable to start the Ring of Kerry in Killarney and travel the route in an anti-clockwise direction.

Glenbeigh is a sleepy picturesque village, which is home to a popular sandy beach called Rossbeigh - a great place if you want to stretch your legs while breathing in the invigorating sea air from the Atlantic Ocean.

The town of Caherciveen is the next stop on your travels. This town was the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell, a famous political leader in the early 19th century. If you are enjoying your adventure so far, we suggest you exit Cahirciveen on the Valencia road (R565) and head west along the peninsula to discover Valencia Island, the remote towns of Port Magee, Ballinskeillgs and the Skellig Islands.

After something to eat, you can wander around this colorful town as many famous people have done before you like, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. There is, in fact, a statue of Charlie Chaplin in the town!

Water ville is also a famous game angling resort; it has an 18-hole championship golf links course (one of the top 20 in the world!) and also a fantastic sandy beach.

If it is a nice sunny day, then stop off at Derrynane Beach, considered to be one of the finest beaches in the country! Derrynane House is worth a visit if you are interested in exploring the house that was once home to Daniel O' Connell.

Pass through the picturesque villages of Parknasilla and Templenoe and the next town you'll enter is the heritage town of Kenmare, which is regarded as the "The Jewel on the Ring of Kerry". It has gourmet restaurants, friendly Irish pubs, craft shops and a whole host of outdoor activities if you want to stick around.

Pull over at Molls Gap viewing park and admire the MacGillycuddy Reeks and the glaciated Black Valley. If you are short on time though, visit Muck Ross House and Gardens, Ross Castle, Torch Waterfall the National Park.