Scenic Tours In Kerry

Ring of Kerry

The Iveragh Peninsula is a natural landscape of hill, forest, blanket bog, river, lake and sandy beach. Lapped by the warm Gulf Stream, it enjoys exceptionally mild winters and is home to sub-tropical vegetation rare at this latitude. The peace and tranquility of the are make it an ideal location for those who wish to get away from  busy city life.

The peninsula is synonymous with the famous Ring of Kerry. Any one of the stopping points along this beautiful route make an idyllic holiday destination. Glenbeigh is an ideal base for exploring the Ring of Kerry.

The Ring of Kerry, a journey of some 180km (110 miles) begins and finishes at the gateway of the Hideaways Holiday apartments.  From the apartment, head west along the N70 route to Kells.

From Mountain Stage, there is a great view of Dingle Bay - a good spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.

As you approach Cahirciveen, on the left at the Carhan River bridge is the birth place of Daniel O'Connell, "The Liberator", and hero to the Irish people in the 1800's. Cahirciveen is also home of two stone forts dating back to the 9th.Century.  All visitor information can be found at a refurbished Barracks near the town centre.  While in Cahirciveen, you may like to try The Shebeen Restaurant and Bar, East End, Cahirciveen "where sportsmen and people of the world meet"(+353 (0)66 9472361), for a fine feed and mighty craic. 

Leaving Cahirciveen, on your right hand side you can see Valentia Island, which can be accessed from Cahirciveen by a car ferry at Renard Point.  Valentia Island was where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid to America in 1857.  You can also visit the Valentia Slate Quarry and the Light House.  There are many remains of old structures including Stone (Ring) Forts and Churches.  If you're feeling like having a treat, you could visit Joe Daly's Valentia Island Farmhouse Ice Cream Parlour at Kilbeg, Valentia Island, Co Kerry (+353 (0)66 9476864).

Out to sea, you can see the dramatic rocky outcrops of the Skellig Rocks, rising 700 feet out of the Atlantic Ocean, some 12 km offshore. Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the world's finest examples of an early Christian monastery. The Skellig rocks were used by monks as a monastery from the 5th century AD. The monastic enclosure is located on top of the island's 218metre summit and consists of six beehive huts, two oratories and a church. Lillte Skellig is one of the most important sites in the British Isles for nesting birds and is home to a large colony of gannets as well as shearwaters, storm petrels, puffins, guillemots and razorbills. A number of local boat operators in offer trips to this spectacular site.  An audio-visual tour of the Skellig Islands can be viewed at the Skelligs Experience Centre at the waterfront at the Valentia Island bridge as you leave the island by bridge at Portmagee. 

Heading on to Waterville, turn right at the church and right again and head to the Waterville links golf course. While in the Waterville area, you can visit the Skellig Chocolate factory in Ballinaskelligs to sample some of the finest mouth-watering chocolate flavours.

Leaving Waterville you head up and over the mountains at Coomakista pass.  Park here and enjoy the views, to the north Ballinskelligs Bay and to the south Derrynane and Castlecove.  In the far distance you can see County Cork.

If it's a nice day, go to Derrynane beach and Cahirdaniel, Daniel O'Connell's home which is now a museum. Derrynane is a large clean Blue Flag beach. Turn left in Cahirdaniel and follow the signs. From the beach, you can walk to Abbey Island, with the remains of an old Abbey (700 AD). The beach is suitable for windsurfing and other water sports. Derrynane Harbour is only a few minutes walk.

After Caherdaniel, head for Staigue Fort and experience the way it was 2,500 years ago for the Celts.

Next stop is the picturesque Sneem, situated on the estuary of the Ardsheelaun River.  Few villages are surrounded by the same rugged beauty as this picturesque village.  The village boats beautifully manicured squares and gardens. In Sneem, you are well placed to visit the Geopark Information Centre (South Square, Sneem, Co. Kerry (066 9476411 or 087 7934663).

Further along the Ring of Kerry, you head to Kenmare.  On arrival in Kenmare, turn left and head for Molls Gap, where you will have a good view of the Mountains of Kerry.  

Moll’s Gap and Ladies View

Moll’s Gap is a mountain pass with fine views to the north of the McGillycuddy's Reeks mountains, a world famous panoramic beauty spot on the Ring of Kerry road between Kenmare and Killarney. 

Ladies View is a celebrated panorama of Killarney's lakes, is situated 20 km (12 miles) south of Killarney on the Ring of Kerry route (N71). The hilltop commands the view much admired by Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting, when they visited in 1861, hence the name Ladies View.

You will see lakes on your left, with the Black Valley and the Gap of Dunloe in the distance.  At Ladies View, you can see the three Lakes of Killarney. You will pass the Upper Lake and the Middle Lake before you get to Torc Waterfall on your right and then on to Muckross House and Gardens, which is well worth a visit.

Killarney is a vibrant town and acts as a gateway to the beauty spots of Ireland’s south west and within easy reach of the Dingle, Iveragh and Beara Peninsulas. Immediately to the south and west of Killarney are the magnificent Lakes of Killarney and the magnificent mountains of the McGullicuddy Reeks.  Another feature of Killarney is the Killarney National Park, which hosts a unique blend of history, flora and fauna and contains unique habitats, plants, animals and fish.

From Killarney, veer left for the Killorglin road, pass Killarney Golf Club on your left (1.5 miles) and you are on the road to Killorglin along the banks of the River Laune.  

Gap of Dunloe and the Black Valley

On passing through the village of Fossa, to the south, there is a very pleasant route, either by car or by jaunting car, through the Gap of Dunloe, onwards the Black Valley emerging on the Kenmare to Killarney road at Moll's Gap. 

Beginning at Kate Kearney's cottage, the Gap of Dunloe is a wild and rugged valley excavated by glaciers during the last ice age. It is sign-posted off the R562 road to Killorglin and runs outside the western perimeter of the Killarney National Park. 

Continuing through the Gap of Dunloe, you will travel into the Black Valley.  Black Valley is more of an area, rather than a village with a centre. This is one of the more isolated places in Ireland, not to mention the Kerry Way. The church qualifies as the centre of the community and is accompanied by a youth hostel, which also runs a small shop stocking limited supplies.  Lord Brandon's Cottage is located on the Upper Lake and plays host to boating parties that travel up from Killarney during the summer. The Cottage now serves as a tea house with snacks and light refreshments.

Carrauntoohil and Cronin's Yard

To the west of the Gap of Dunloe is the traditional starting point for ascents of Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, at Cronin’s Yard. Situated at the entrance to the Hag’s Glen at Mealis, Beaufort, this is the gateway to the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.

Killorglin is famous for the Puck Fair festival.  Killorglin is a bustling town in the heart of Mid-Kerry. The town offers a great selection of traditional Irish pubs and restaurants.

The Puck Fair festival dates back 3,000 years, and is held on 10th, 11th and 12th of August each year. Puck Fair is one of Ireland's oldest street festivals. Events include a traditional parade and coronation of King Puck, horse fair, street entertainment with buskers from all over ireland and further afield. Open air concerts and fireworks displays are other major draws to the festival.

Cromane is a small seaside village, situated between Killorglin and Glenbeigh. It is eight kilometres west of Killorglin and six kilometres from Glenbeigh.

The people of Cromane have traditionally relied on fishing and small farming for its existence. While salmon and trout have been fished for generations from Cromane, the principal harvest of the area in recent years has been mussels from what is the largest natural bed in Ireland, that of Castlemaine Harbour. The Cromane hinderland is home to lakes and boglands and is a rich and rare land with a wealth of interesting species.

Further on towards Glenbeigh, you will also pass the Red Fox Inn and Traditional Bog Village, where you experience rural Irish life as it was many years ago and afterwards you can enjoy the Red Fox's trademark Irish coffee.

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