Ireland's Scenic Wonder: A Journey Around the Ring of Kerry
- That's How We Travel
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
Summary. The Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile scenic drive is located in southwest Ireland, where the coastline is occupied by tiny picturesque villages and breathtaking views from dramatic cliffsides. The drive can be done all in one day with time left over to see the Muckross House in Killarney. For our route, we drove from our AirBnB in Kenmare, to the Town of Sneem, then to see the ancient Straigue Fort, followed by the Derrynane House and grounds. After a picnic lunch, we continued on to see Charlie Chaplin in Waterville, the ruins of Ballinskelligs Castle, and the incredible Kerry Cliffs. The final stop in the Ring of Kerry was at the Skellig Experience Centre, before we made our way to Killarney, where the grand Muckross House is located. Here, we had dinner before returning to Kenmare for the night.
[This blog is part of our 15-days in the British Isle trip].
Town of Sneem. Our first stop of the day was in the colorful town of Sneem. We strolled along the main road, pausing to cross a charming stone bridge that felt straight out of a postcard. We ducked into a small gift shop to pick out thoughtful souvenirs for friends and family back home, little reminders of this cozy corner of Ireland.
Straigue Fort. Our next stop brought us to Straigue Fort, one of the largest intact stone forts in Ireland and an especially evocative glimpse into the island’s distant past. This impressive Iron Age structure, known in Irish as a cahir, is thought to be among the oldest in the country, dating back to between 300 and 400 BCE. Standing within its thick stone walls, it was easy to imagine the generations who once used this ancient stronghold.
Views from the Road. Making our way around the Ring, we stopped roadside to take photos of the gorgeous views.
Derrynane House. Next up was a vist to Derrynane House which offered a fascinating look into the life and legacy of one of Ireland’s most important historical figures, Daniel O’Connell. Set on 120 hectares of sweeping parkland, this was the ancestral home of the famed lawyer, politician, and statesman known as The Liberator. Inside, the house displays personal relics and exhibits that trace O’Connell’s remarkable career. As the leader of the campaign for Catholic Emancipation, he became the first Catholic elected to the British Parliament in over a century.
Waterville. Passing through Waterville, we stopped at the Charlie Chaplin statute because, why not?
Ballinskelligs Castle Ruins. The next quick stop was to catch a glimpse of what left of the 16th century Bellinskelligs Castle.
Kerry Cliffs. Our stop at the Kerry Cliffs was blustery but breathtaking, with strong winds adding drama to an already stunning landscape. After paying a modest entrance fee (and making a pit stop at the available restrooms) we set out on foot. Several look out points are connected by walking paths, each offering its own perspective of the rugged coastline and sweeping ocean views. Along the way, wildflowers dotted the green hillsides.
Skellig Experience Centre. Not photographed (we forgot!), is the last stop on the Ring. THe Skellig Experience Centre features works and lives of the Skellig monks that lived on the offshore island. This quick, but interest stop, took about 30 minutes before we made the 90 minute drive to the last stop of the day, Muckross House.
Muckross House. Muckross House sits right on the edge of Muckross Lake in Killarney National Park, surrounded by some truly beautiful scenery. This grand Victorian mansion was built in the early 1840s for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife Mary, and today it offers a great peek into life in the 19th century, from the elegant upstairs rooms to the busy servant areas below. The gardens are just as much a highlight, with peaceful paths winding through the Sunken, Rock, and Stream Gardens. Just nearby, the Muckross Traditional Farms let you step back even further in time, showing what everyday rural life looked like in Ireland during the 1930s and 1940s, complete with animals, old farm equipment, and traditional cottages.
Pay for the Carriage Ride. This fun little experience was a perfect end-of-day joy. The horses are beautiful and what's not love about listened to an Irish carriage-driver tell you about the Muckross grounds in a lovely Irish accent? Half-way through the ride, you will be able to stop and take photos of this beautiful stone bridge (second photo below).
Muckross House. We missed the last tour of the day so if we had to do it again, we would have left a smidge earlier. However, we did get to walk through the beautiful grounds.
Drive to Kenmare. We concluded the day with an almost two-hour drive to Kenmare, the next destination on our journey. This adorable Airbnb was ideal for a couple and provides a romantic getaway atmosphere.
