Ring Kerry Cork
5
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Five days across the Ring of Kerry and Cork takes you through the most celebrated coastal circuit in Ireland and the finest food city in the country. The Ring of Kerry, a 179km loop around the Iveragh Peninsula, passes the extraordinary Skellig Michael UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remarkable Dingle Peninsula and the extraordinary Beara Peninsula before arriving in Cork, the real capital of Ireland. This route covers the complete Kerry and Cork experience. The extraordinary Skellig Michael monastery perched on Atlantic sea stacks, the remarkable Dingle Peninsula and the Slea Head Drive, the extraordinary Gap of Dunloe through the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the remarkable Kenmare and the Beara Peninsula, and the extraordinary English Market and Crawford Gallery of Cork city.
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 AND KILLARNEY
MORNING
KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK AND THE GAP OF DUNLOE
The Gap of Dunloe, a narrow glacial valley cutting through the MacGillycuddy Reeks at the heart of Killarney National Park, is the finest mountain pass in Ireland. The journey by jaunting car or bicycle through the extraordinary gap passes the three Black Lakes and climbs to the summit before descending to the Upper Lake at the head of the Lakes of Killarney. The extraordinary combination of mountain, lake and ancient oak woodland is outstanding. Jaunting car approx 20 EUR. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY AND MUCKROSS HOUSE
The Lakes of Killarney, three connected lakes in the Killarney National Park, are the finest lake landscape in Ireland. Muckross House, the extraordinary Victorian mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake, has outstanding gardens and the remarkable traditional farm buildings of the Kerry Folklife Centre. The extraordinary Ross Castle on the lakeside, a 15th-century tower house, is the finest castle in Kerry. Entry Muckross approx 9 EUR, Ross Castle approx 8 EUR. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
RING OF KERRY: SKELLIG VIEWPOINT AND WATERVILLE
drive Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise from Killarney, stopping at the extraordinary Skellig Michael viewpoint above Portmagee for the finest view of the two pyramidal rock islands rising from the Atlantic 12km offshore. Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Early Christian monks built an extraordinary monastery on the bare rock in the 6th century, is one of the most remarkable places in Europe. Continue to the remarkable Waterville on the Atlantic coast. Entry Skellig boat approx 120 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ladies View on the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney, where Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting were reputedly so impressed that they named the viewpoint, gives the finest view of the Upper Lake and the MacGillycuddy Reeks from any road in Kerry. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Killarney hotel Good breakfast before the Gap of Dunloe jaunting car. | Lunch: Kate Kearney's Cottage, Gap of Dunloe Traditional Irish pub lunch at the entrance to the gap. | Dinner: The Smuggler's Inn, Waterville Outstanding Ring of Kerry seafood on the Atlantic shore.
DAY 2
DINGLE PENINSULA
MORNING
THE SLEA HEAD DRIVE, THE FINEST IN KERRY
drive The Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula is the most extraordinary coastal circuit in Ireland, its remarkable combination of prehistoric forts, early Christian beehive huts, the extraordinary Blasket Islands visible offshore and the finest Atlantic cliff scenery in the country making it arguably more spectacular than the Ring of Kerry itself. The drive counterclockwise from Dingle town takes about 2 hours with stops. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
GALLARUS ORATORY AND THE DINGLE PENINSULA
The Gallarus Oratory, built between the 8th and 12th centuries, is the finest and most remarkable dry-stone corbelled building in Ireland, its extraordinary construction waterproof after 1,000 years without a single piece of mortar. The oratory is the best-preserved Early Christian church in Ireland. The remarkable Dunbeg promontory fort on the Slea Head Drive and the extraordinary beehive hut clusters of the Fahan group are equally outstanding. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DINGLE TOWN AND HARBOUR
Dingle is the finest small harbour town in Ireland, its extraordinary colourful shopfronts, remarkable pubs with traditional music sessions and the extraordinary Fungie the Dolphin who lived in the harbour for 37 years making it unlike any other Kerry town. The harbour is the finest for fresh seafood in Kerry. The extraordinary Dingle Peninsula mountains rising directly behind the town make the setting remarkable. The evening music sessions at Dick Mack's are outstanding. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Minard Castle on the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula, a ruined 16th-century stronghold on the beach, has the finest combination of castle ruin and Atlantic beach in Kerry. The extraordinary pebble beach below the castle is remarkable. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dingle hotel or cafe Coffee and brown bread before the Slea Head Drive. | Lunch: Fenton's, Dingle The finest lunch restaurant in Dingle. Outstanding local seafood. | Dinner: Dick Mack's pub, Dingle Traditional music session and the finest Kerry lamb stew in Ireland.
DAY 3
KENMARE, BEARA AND GARNISH
MORNING
KENMARE AND THE RING OF BEARA
Kenmare is the finest small town in Kerry, its extraordinary triangular town centre of colourful Georgian shopfronts, the remarkable Kenmare stone circle and the outstanding food and craft scene making it a remarkable base for the Beara Peninsula. The Ring of Beara, less visited than the Ring of Kerry and arguably more dramatic, follows the extraordinary Beara Peninsula through wild mountain and Atlantic scenery. The remarkable Healy Pass gives the finest view in Munster. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE HEALY PASS AND CASTLETOWNBERE
drive The Healy Pass is the most dramatic mountain road in Kerry and Cork, its extraordinary hairpin bends climbing from Adrigole to the 334-metre summit with the remarkable view over Bantry Bay and the Beara Peninsula on one side and the MacGillycuddy Reeks on the other. Castletownbere, the largest fishing port in Ireland by value of catch, has the finest fresh seafood directly off the boats. The extraordinary Dunboy Castle ruins on the shore are outstanding. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
GARNISH ISLAND AND BANTRY BAY
Garnish Island in Bantry Bay is the most extraordinary garden island in Ireland, its remarkable Italian gardens, extraordinary formal terraces and remarkable collection of rare plants all created on bare rock in the early 20th century. The boat trip from Glengarriff passes the colony of basking seals on the rocks in Bantry Bay. The extraordinary contrast of the formal Italian gardens with the wild Atlantic mountains around them is remarkable. Entry approx 5 EUR, boat approx 15 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Dursey Island at the tip of the Beara Peninsula, reached by Ireland's only cable car over the Atlantic Sound, is the most remote inhabited island in Munster. The wild Atlantic walking and the extraordinary sense of isolation are outstanding. Cable car approx 6 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dingle or Kenmare hotel Good breakfast before the Beara drive. | Lunch: The Purple Heather, Kenmare The finest Irish pub lunch in Kerry. Local seafood and Kerry lamb. | Dinner: The Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff or Cork First Cork dinner or Bantry Bay seafood.
DAY 4
CORK CITY
MORNING
CORK ENGLISH MARKET AND CITY CENTRE
The English Market in Cork city is the finest covered food market in Ireland and one of the greatest in Europe. The extraordinary variety of local Cork produce, the remarkable tripe and drisheen stalls, the outstanding artisan cheese, the finest smoked salmon and the remarkable atmosphere of the 19th-century building are all outstanding. The surrounding Cork city centre, with its extraordinary church spires and the remarkable Patrick Street, is beautiful. Entry free. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
CRAWFORD MUNICIPAL ART GALLERY
The Crawford Gallery on Emmet Place is the finest provincial art gallery in Ireland, its extraordinary collection of Irish art from the 18th century to the present including remarkable works by Jack B. Yeats, Paul Henry and the outstanding Seanie Murphy sculptures. The Crawford's cafe is the finest lunch spot in Cork city. The extraordinary neoclassical building of the former customs house is one of the finest in Munster. Entry free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
BLARNEY CASTLE AND THE BLARNEY STONE
Blarney Castle, 8km north of Cork city, is Ireland's most visited attraction outside Dublin. The extraordinary 15th-century tower house and the remarkable Blarney Stone, which tradition holds gives the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it hanging backwards over the castle battlements, are outstanding. The remarkable Rock Close garden of ancient yew trees, the extraordinary witch's cave and the wishing steps are all in the extraordinary castle grounds. Entry approx 18 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shandon Bells in St Anne's Church in Cork's Northside, where visitors can climb the tower and play the famous bells, give the finest view of Cork city and the extraordinary Cork harbour from any accessible point. Entry approx 6 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cork hotel Good city breakfast before the English Market opens. | Lunch: Crawford Gallery Cafe, Cork The finest lunch in Cork city in the most beautiful gallery. | Dinner: The Farmgate Restaurant, English Market Dinner above the market. Outstanding Cork produce.
DAY 5
CORK COAST
MORNING
KINSALE HARBOUR TOWN AND OLD HEAD
Kinsale is the finest harbour town in Munster, its extraordinary natural harbour, the remarkable Charles Fort guarding the harbour entrance and the extraordinary food scene that has made Kinsale the gourmet capital of Ireland outside Cork city all outstanding. The Old Head of Kinsale, the dramatic headland 10km south where the Lusitania was sunk in 1915, gives the finest view of the Cork coast. Entry Charles Fort approx 5 EUR. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
COBH AND THE TITANIC CONNECTION
Cobh, pronounced Cove, is the most extraordinary harbour town in Cork, its remarkable cathedral perched above the extraordinary Victorian townscape of coloured houses making it one of the most photographed towns in Ireland. Cobh was the last port of call of the Titanic in 1912 and the last sight of Ireland for millions of emigrants. The Titanic Experience and the remarkable Cobh Heritage Centre tell the extraordinary story. Entry approx 13 EUR. Drive: 40 min drive
AFTERNOON
CORK HARBOUR AND SPIKE ISLAND
Spike Island in Cork Harbour, once the largest prison in the world and the extraordinary island fortress used by the British as a transit prison for Famine emigrants, is now open as a heritage site. The boat trip from Cobh gives the finest view of Cork Harbour, the extraordinary fort on the island and the remarkable maritime history of the bay that saw millions leave Ireland for America. Entry including boat approx 18 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Desmond Castle in Kinsale, a 16th-century fortified tower house used as a prison for French and American sailors in the 18th century, houses the remarkable International Museum of Wine celebrating the Wild Geese, the Irish soldiers who left for France after 1690. Entry approx 5 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cork hotel Final Cork breakfast before the coastal drive. | Lunch: Man Friday, Kinsale The finest seafood restaurant in Kinsale. Outstanding local catch. | Dinner: Final dinner, Cork city Farewell to the real capital of Ireland. Greenes or Nash 19.
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, Nights 3 to 5 Ireland's foodie capital. 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. Skellig Michael boat trips book out months ahead. Reserve as early as possible from May to September.
3. The Dingle Peninsula Slea Head Drive is quieter and arguably more beautiful than the Ring of Kerry.
4. Cork English Market is best on a Saturday morning when all the producers are present.
5. The Gap of Dunloe by jaunting car or bicycle is far superior to driving. Allow a full morning.
6. Kinsale has the finest food scene outside Cork city. Book restaurant tables ahead in summer.
Total Budget
155 to 295 EUR/day