How to Spend One Day on the Ring of Kerry

Last Updated on 13th July 2025 by Sophie Nadeau

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If you’re planning a trip to Ireland and want to experience its wild beauty, quaint traditional villages, and dramatic coastline all in one day, then the Ring of Kerry should be at the top of your list. This iconic circular route through County Kerry is often described as Ireland’s most scenic drive, and for good reason!

Boasting panoramic views, ancient ruins, rugged peninsulas, and endless photo opportunities, venturing along the Ring of Kerry makes for an unforgettable journey. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to spend one day driving the Ring of Kerry!

What is the Ring of Kerry?

The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km (111-mile) circular route that winds its way through the picturesque county of Kerry in southwest Ireland and loops around the Iveragh Peninsula. As part of the Wild Atlantic Way, it is renowned for its breathtaking scenery of rugged coastlines, rolling hills, lush green valleys, and sparkling lakes (known as ‘lough’ in Ireland).

Aside from the natural beauty, the Ring of Kerry is rich with history and heritage. Along the route, you’ll encounter ancient sights and historical landmarks of immense significance, as well as quaint colourful villages that offer a glimpse into traditional Irish life.

What is the best way to travel around the Ring of Kerry?

While there’s no “better” way to drive the route of the Ring of Kerry, there are a few things to bear in mind when contemplating which way to go. The big tour buses tend to drive anticlockwise, so if you follow them you risk being slowed down and getting stuck in congestion. Therefore, for a more relaxing experience (and better views from the drivers side) I recommend following the route clockwise.

I also recommend travelling the route either with a car or taking one of the available tours. While it’s possible to experience the Ring of Kerry by public transport, driving offers more flexibility when it comes to exploring the route.

Is one day enough?

Yes, one day should be enough to drive the Ring of Kerry if you set out early enough. However, if you wish to travel at a slower and steadier pace, then you could consider breaking up the itinerary by exploring more of the Killarney National Park.

One day Ring of Kerry suggested itinerary

Ross Castle 

The most popular starting point of the Ring of Kerry tends to be Killarney, the largest town in the area. From here, if driving the route clockwise, your first stop will likely be Ross Castle. Perched on an inlet of Lough Leane, this 15th century fortress is steeped in history and legend.

The well-preserved fortress seen today was first built for the local ruling clan, the O’Donoghues Mór (Ross). Ownership then changed hands during the Second Desmond Rebellion of the 1580s to the MacCarthy Mór, who would then go on to lease the castle and lands.

According to local legend, O’Donoghue still lies sleeping beneath the surface of the Lough Leane. But, once every seven years, as the sun rises on the first of May, he emerges from the lake on a white horse. It’s said that, if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him, a lifetime of good fortune will follow.

Ross Castle is perhaps best known for being one of the last strongholds in Munster to surrender to Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads. Led at the time by Lord Muskerry, there was a local prophecy that claimed the castle could never fall unless attacked by a warship via the lake (which, at the time, was an unbelievable prospect).

However, Cromwell was well aware of this legend and had his commander launch a large boat on Lough Leane to take Ross Castle. As soon as the defenders caught sight of it, they quickly surrendered, ringing the old prophecy true.

The castle’s interior can be accessed by guided tour only, and it’s done on a first-come come first-served basis. So, you’ll probably want to arrive pretty early here as it can get very busy during the summer months. Ross Castle is open 09:30 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Muckross Abbey 

The next stop on the route is Muckross, a neighbourhood that sits just a ten-minute drive from Ross Castle. Here, you’ll want to visit Muckross Abbey which is one of the major ecclesiastical sites found in the Killarney National Park.

Founded in 1448 as a Franciscan Friary, Muckross Abbey is known as the burial place of local clan leaders and three famous Gaelic poets from County Kerry: O’Donoghue, Ó Rathaille and Ó Súilleabháin. The abbey also has a surprising history marked by violence, and some believe it to be haunted by ghosts…

First, let’s start by talking about the true horrors that took place in Muckross Abbey. The ecclesial building has had its fair share, being subjected to raids, damage, and reconstruction due to conflicts.

One of the abbey’s darkest times was in 1589, when it was raided by soldiers of Elizabeth the 1st. The monks attempted to flee, with most of their valuables in hand, they hid out on one of the islands of Lough Leane. Unfortunately, they were found, captured and executed.

Another notable attack was during Cromwell’s brutal and bloodthirsty conquest of Ireland in the 17th century, when the abbey was targeted, and the monastery was looted and burned.

Perhaps because of its violent past, Muckross Abbey is also considered one of the most haunted places in Killarney. Its most famous haunting is that of “The Ghost of the Brown Man” – which goes, according to local legend, that a man went missing and was later found by his wife in the abbey graveyard, reported to have been eating the flesh of a corpse… Another story tells of John Drake, a recluse who squatted in the abbey during the 18th century.

Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, today the abbey is practically roofless, but otherwise it’s well-preserved. It even has intact stairways, so you can climb up to the top. A large yew tree sits in the heart of the courtyard, surrounded by beautiful vaulted cloisters.

Muckross Abbey is completely free to visit. And, if you have more time, then you can head to the nearby Muckross Gardens. These are also free to visit and have public toilets and a café.

Torc Waterfall 

Next, you’ll want to head to the Torc Waterfall car park, which is situated somewhere along the N71 road. The walk from the car park to the falls is just a short 5 minutes. This 20-meter-high waterfall is yet another spot of the Ring of Kerry which is shrouded in legends.

The falls take their name from the Irish ‘Easach Toirc’, which translates as ‘cascade of the wild boar’. It’s believed the falls were created by a man who had been cursed by the Devil to transform into a boar…

The tale goes that a man was cursed by the Devil to become a wild boar each night. However, when a local farmer exposed his secret, the man burst into flames and vanished into the Devil’s Punchbowl atop the nearby Mangerton Mountain. The Owengarriff River later flowed from the very spot, concealing a hidden cave beneath Torc Waterfall.

You can either stop by this mystical waterfall for a photograph or, if feeling adventurous, venture further into the woods and complete the Torc Waterfall Loop. The 8.9-km circular trail is considered moderately challenging as it consists of steep inclines and lots of rocks to clamber over, in total it takes around 2.5 hours.

Ladies View 

Certainly up there with the Cliffs of Moher, this is easily one of the most photographed spots in all of Ireland. Ladies View is a scenic viewpoint that offers spectacular views overlooking the Lakes of Killarney and the surrounding mountains. This spot takes its name from the admiration expressed by Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting during her visit to Ireland in 1861.

Sneem 

Next, stop at Sneem, a picturesque village best known for its brightly coloured homes, traditional Irish pubs, boutique shops, and all-around friendly atmosphere. This tiny town also makes for a great place to stop off for lunch as there are a number of eateries to choose from.

Sneem is a destination that comes to life during the peak summer season, but in the quieter times, it’s a sleepy village that’s home to just under 400 or so residents. Sneem’s name derives from its Irish name “An tSnaidhm”, which means “the knot”. The village itself is in a similar shape to that of a knot, it’s for this reason it is often referred to as “The Knot in the Ring of Kerry”.

Staigue Stone Fort  

Nestled within a luscious green valley, you’ll find one of Ireland’s largest intact stone forts. This impressive stone structure was built without the use of mortar and has a history that can be traced as far back as 300 and 400 BCE, as such, it is regarded as a National Monument of great importance.

This type of fort is known as a ring fort, and is strongly associated with Ireland. Indeed, it’s estimated that there are over 45,000 of these circular fortified settlements still visible in the country, most of which were built during the Bronze Age, Iron Age and early Middle Ages.

Ballinskeligs Abbey

The hauntingly beautiful ruins of Ballinskeligs Abbey, also known as the Priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustin, sits at the very edge of the Iveragh Peninsula. This medieval priory was built during the 12th and 13th centuries, and was established as a mainland refuge for the monks of Skellig Michael (of which the abbey overlooks), as they had to leave the island regularly due to increasingly harsh weather conditions.

Because of its coastal location and being eroded slowly over time, little but the layout and tombstones remain. The site originally comprised a church, cloister, Prior’s house, refectory and a burial ground. Today, you can wander through what’s left of the grounds and soak up some of the best views overlooking Skelling Michael and beyond.

Skellig Michael (from afar) 

Skellig Michael comprises two rocky islets that house a well-preserved early 6th century Christian monastery. Regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the islets are home to thousands of puffins, a large colony of gannets, and several stone beehive-shaped huts, oratories and crosses.

For those who are avid fans of Star Wars, you might recognise Skellig Michael for being the location of Luke Skywalker’s self-imposed exile on the planet Ahch-To in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi films. Thanks to this, the island has risen to has risen to dramatic prominence with thousands visiting each year, despite there being a limit on the number of people who can visit per boat.

If you wish to visit the iconic Star Wars location, then you can do so by boat from Portmagee. Due to limited access and popularity, be sure to book your boat tour well in advance to secure a spot. The boat trip takes around 50 minutes and you are typically given 2.5 hours on the island to explore. The season runs from mid May to the end of September, but trips are subject to change depending on the weather. Book a boat tour through the official website.

Portmagee 

Portmagee is a charming fishing village that’s best known locally as ‘the ferry’, thanks to it being the gateway and main departure point for boat trips to Skellig Michael. Its colourful harbour is home to plenty of quaint Irish pubs and boasts sweeping views overlooking the Iveragh peninsula.

While there’s not by in large plenty to see or do in Portmagee, it’s the perfect place to stop for a drink and enjoy a local stout (if you’re lucky enough to be the non-designated driver, that is). A popular spot is The Moorings, which also serves as a guesthouse, here you can enjoy fresh seafood and plenty of Guinness on draught!

What to know before driving the Ring of Kerry

Before driving the route of the Ring of Kerry, you should know that the road can be pretty narrow in some places, so be sure to rent the smallest car you can, and I recommend taking the maximum insurance offered by your car rental place for peace of mind. This is especially true if visiting during the summer months as there are several bus tours that travel the route at high speeds.

In order to save money, consider bringing your own picnic/snacks. There are a number of supermarkets in Killarney, including a Marks & Spencer and a Tesco hyperstore.

Tours that will take you to the Ring of Kerry

While the best way to see the Ring of Kerry (and enjoy its many attractions) is to rent your own vehicle (check car rental prices here), there are also a number of guided tours which will take you around the loop.

From Killarney: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Tour: This-well reviewed tour will allow you to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ring of Kerry and see the dramatic Skellig Ring on a guided tour from Killarney. Explore picturesque villages, must-see sights, and some of Ireland’s most stunning natural scenery. Check prices here.

From Cork: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip: The Ring of Kerry is a wild, timeless corner of Ireland that has captivated visitors for centuries. Set off on a day tour from Cork to explore its dramatic landscapes, rich history, and charming villages complete with unforgettable coastal views. Check prices here.

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