Ring Kerry Cork
3
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Three days across the Ring of Kerry and Cork covers the finest coastal circuit in Ireland and a taste of the country's greatest food city. The extraordinary Gap of Dunloe through the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the spectacular Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula and the extraordinary English Market of Cork city make this one of the finest three-day circuits in Western Europe. This route starts at Killarney, drives the Ring of Kerry to Dingle and then cuts south to Cork city, giving the essential Kerry and Cork experience in three days of extraordinary driving, walking and eating.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly into Kerry Airport (KIR) or Cork (ORK)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 180 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, scenic driving with coastal walks
DAY 1
RING OF KERRY
MORNING
GAP OF DUNLOE AND THE KILLARNEY LAKES
The Gap of Dunloe cuts through the MacGillycuddy Reeks in a narrow glacial valley of extraordinary beauty, its three Black Lakes, waterfalls and mountain scenery best experienced by jaunting car or bicycle rather than by car. The traditional horse-drawn jaunting cars from Kate Kearney's Cottage take about 90 minutes through the gap to the Upper Lake and the start of the remarkable Killarney lake system. The extraordinary ancient oak woodland of the National Park surrounds the lakes. Jaunting car approx 20 EUR. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
RING OF KERRY COASTAL DRIVE
drive Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise from Killarney, stopping at the remarkable Ladies View for the finest view of the Upper Lake, continuing through Kenmare and Sneem to the extraordinary Skellig Michael viewpoint above Portmagee. The two pyramidal sea stacks of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig rise from the Atlantic 12km offshore, the extraordinary UNESCO monastery visible on the summit. The Ring of Kerry coastal scenery from Cahersiveen to Waterville is outstanding. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ARRIVAL IN DINGLE AND THE HARBOUR
Cross the Connor Pass, the highest road pass in Ireland at 456 metres, for the extraordinary view of Dingle town, the harbour and the Blasket Islands from the summit before descending to the finest small harbour town in Kerry. Dingle's extraordinary colourful shopfronts, the remarkable pubs and the outstanding harbour are perfect for an evening arrival. The traditional music session at Dick Mack's starts around 9pm. Entry Connor Pass free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ladies View on the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney gives the finest view of the Upper Lake and the MacGillycuddy Reeks from any road in Kerry. Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting named it. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Killarney hotel Good breakfast before the jaunting car. | Lunch: Sneem village pub or Ring stop Simple Irish pub lunch mid-Ring. | Dinner: Dick Mack's pub, Dingle Traditional music session and excellent Kerry lamb stew.
DAY 2
DINGLE PENINSULA
MORNING
THE SLEA HEAD DRIVE
drive The Slea Head Drive counterclockwise from Dingle town is the most extraordinary coastal circuit in Ireland, its remarkable combination of prehistoric stone forts, early Christian beehive huts, the extraordinary Blasket Islands offshore and the finest Atlantic cliff scenery making it arguably more spectacular than the Ring of Kerry. The extraordinary Dunbeg promontory fort, the remarkable Fahan beehive huts and the extraordinary view of the Great Blasket Island are all outstanding. Free. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
GALLARUS ORATORY
The Gallarus Oratory, built between the 8th and 12th centuries in the extraordinary corbelled dry-stone technique with not a single piece of mortar, is the finest and most perfectly preserved Early Christian church in Ireland. The extraordinary building is completely waterproof after more than a thousand years. The remarkable landscape of the Dingle Peninsula around it, with its ancient field systems and the Atlantic visible in every direction, is outstanding. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DINGLE TOWN AND FAREWELL TO KERRY
A final afternoon in Dingle town before driving to Cork. The extraordinary harbour, the remarkable Oceanworld aquarium and the colourful shopfronts of the finest small town in Kerry all deserve a final slow walk. Buy smoked salmon from Dingle Smokehouse for the road. The drive to Cork via Tralee and the N21 takes about 2 hours through the remarkable Kerry and Cork countryside. Arrive in Cork city for dinner. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Minard Castle on the south Dingle coast, a ruined 16th-century stronghold on a remarkable pebble beach below the mountains, is the finest hidden gem on the peninsula. Free. A remarkable combination of castle, beach and Atlantic atmosphere.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dingle cafe Coffee and brown bread before the Slea Head Drive. | Lunch: Fenton's Restaurant, Dingle The finest lunch in Dingle. Outstanding local seafood. | Dinner: Cork city arrival dinner The Farmgate Restaurant in the English Market or Greenes Restaurant.
DAY 3
CORK CITY AND COAST
MORNING
CORK ENGLISH MARKET
The Cork English Market, trading since 1788 in an extraordinary Victorian covered building in the heart of the city, is the finest food market in Ireland. The remarkable local producers selling Cork butter, tripe and drisheen, artisan cheese, smoked fish and the outstanding Arbutus bread create an extraordinary atmosphere unlike any other market in Ireland. The market is at its finest on a Saturday morning when all producers are present. Queen Elizabeth II visited it in 2011. Entry free. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
KINSALE HARBOUR TOWN
Kinsale, 25km south of Cork, is the finest harbour town in Munster and the gourmet capital of Ireland outside Cork city. The extraordinary natural harbour, the remarkable Charles Fort at the entrance and the extraordinary food scene of this small town are all outstanding. The Old Head of Kinsale, the dramatic headland where the Lusitania was sunk in 1915, is 10km south and gives the finest view of the Cork Atlantic coast. Entry Charles Fort approx 5 EUR. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
COBH AND THE TITANIC STORY
Cobh, the extraordinary Victorian harbour town with its remarkable cathedral above the coloured houses, was the last port of call of the Titanic in April 1912 and the last sight of Ireland for millions of famine emigrants. The extraordinary Titanic Experience and the remarkable Cobh Heritage Centre tell the story of this remarkable town. The extraordinary view of Cork Harbour from the cathedral steps is outstanding. Entry Titanic Experience approx 13 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shandon Bells in St Anne's Church in Cork city's Northside allow visitors to climb the tower and play the famous bells themselves. The finest view of Cork city from any accessible point. Entry approx 6 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cork hotel Final Irish breakfast before the English Market visit. | Lunch: Crawford Gallery Cafe, Cork The finest lunch in Cork city in the most beautiful building. | Dinner: Final dinner, Cork city or Kinsale Man Friday in Kinsale or Greenes in Cork for farewell.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Killarney, Night 1 Gateway to the Ring and Gap of Dunloe. Approx 80 to 160 EUR per night. Dingle, Night 2 The finest small town in Kerry. Approx 100 to 180 EUR per night. Cork city, Night 3 Ireland's foodie capital. Day 3 base. Approx 100 to 180 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise to avoid the tour coach convoys that run anticlockwise.
2. The Dingle Peninsula Slea Head Drive is quieter and arguably more beautiful than the Ring of Kerry.
3. The Gap of Dunloe is best by jaunting car or bicycle. Driving it misses the whole experience.
4. Cork English Market is best on a Saturday morning when all the local producers are present.
5. Book Dingle restaurant tables ahead in summer. The town is small and excellent places fill fast.
6. Kinsale has Ireland's finest food outside Cork city. Allow time for a long lunch there.
Total Budget
155 to 295 EUR/day