Irish Roadtrip pt. 2 | The Ring of Kerry
Part two of my Ultimate Coastal Irish Roadtrip will bring you through the iconic Ring of Kerry; a scenic drive, nearly 200km long, home to Ireland’s highest peaks and dramatic coastlines. If you’ve ever been to the Scottish Highlands, this region might feel familiar. The rugged peaks and lush green coastal cliffs, dropping to the electric blue waters of the Atlantic below made this one of my favourite parts of our time in Ireland!
Viewpoint on the Ring of Kerry
Muckross Abbey
Drive time Killarney to Muckross Abbey: 10 minutes
Approximate time there: 1-1.5 hours
Old crumbling buildings are half the charm of Ireland if you ask me, and Muckross Abbey delivers charm in plenty! Park and walk along the path, following the signs to the abbey. If you prefer, you can pay for a horse carriage ride, but the walk is short and the path is well-maintained. When you arrive you are free to wander the ruins as you please. Explore the rooms, courtyards and staircases at your leisure.
When we visited in the fall, the leaves were brightly coloured, adding to the scenery. A great place to stop for a free adventure.
Torc Waterfall
Drive time Muckross Abbey to Torc Waterfall: 5 minutes
Approximate time there: 30 minutes-2 hours
Recommended to me by all the Irish friends I asked, Torc Waterfall is a well-known and popular stop that delivers! At the site, there are three main walking paths, varying in length and skill levels. The signage at the trailhead clearly explains all of the paths and what to expect. The five-minute walk to the base of the cascading waterfall is relatively easy and flat, making the tiered waterfall accessible to most visitors.
Staigue Stone Fort
Drive time Torc Waterfall to Staigue Stone Fort: 1.25 hours
Approximate time there: 30-45 minutes
The most intact stone fort in Ireland, thought to have been built as early as 300 CE! The fort was likely used as a protective stronghold for the local lord. There is a small box to leave your €1 entry fee, based on an honour system, the funds are used to maintain the site for future visitors. When you arrive, you can walk into the fort and climb the stairs onto the defensive walls.
Derrynane Beach
Drive time Staigue Stone Fort to Derrynane Beach: 30 minutes
Approximate time there: 30 minutes-1 hour
This white sand beach has large rocks visible during low tide, where you can find tidal pools. Off to the right of the beach there are some ruins of the Derrynane Abbey. When visiting, the access road is a narrow single-lane-two-way road – classic Ireland – so be alert to on-coming traffic.
Ballinskelligs
Drive time Derrynane Beach to Ballinskelligs: 30 minutes
Approximate time there: 45 minutes-1.5 hours
The sandy strip of beach is exceptionally peaceful. If you follow the path along the shore, you’ll come across ruins of both an old castle and the Ballinskelligs Abbey, where there is a small, overgrown graveyard.
Kerry Cliffs
Drive time Ballinskelligs to Kerry Cliffs: 30 minutes
Approximate time there: 1.5-2 hours
One of the least expected and most memorable stops of our trip! The cliffs rise over 300 metres (1,000 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean, gifting guests views of the Skellig Rocks — one of Ireland’s three UNESCO Sites. The site is also popular amongst bird watchers as Puffin Island is visible from here.
If you’re looking for amazing views, for reasonable prices (€5/person as of the end of 2025), the Kerry Cliffs truly can’t be beat.
Rossbeigh Strand
Drive time Kerry Cliffs to Rossbeigh Strand: 1 hour
Approximate time there: 30 minutes-1.5 hours
Stretching about 3 kilometres (1.86 mi.) into Dingle Bay, the Rossbeigh Strand has sandy beaches on both sides of its length. The views of the mainland from the strand have an ethereal beauty that only gets better on a misty day.
Gap of Dunloe
Drive time Rossbeigh Strand to Gap of Dunloe: 45 minutes
Approximate time there: 1.5-3 hours
WOW. The Gap of Dunloe is a mountain pass running through two spectacular mountain ranges. Though technically a public access road, I would advise against driving it. Between walkers, horses, and cars, the narrow, winding, steep road can be a lot to navigate — especially in peak seasons. Instead, take it slow and enjoy the walk.
Park at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, grab a coffee for your walk and venture into the landscape. There are a few viewpoints along the road that people typically use as turn-back points: two wishing bridges, Auger Lake, and the Head of the Gap of Dunloe. We went a little past the second wishing bridge, taking about an hour to get there, about two hours total by the time we made it back to the car. There are some steep sections, but the entire way is paved which makes it easier.
