Unregistered User
(4/25/04 8:08 pm)

ques about Ring of Kerry

---

We didn't get to see this part the country last year and my wife really wants to go this summer. I've read some posts that talk about how crowded it gets. We want to go in late July. I was thinking about staying at Kenmare or maybe further south along the coast like another person I read about on this forum.

We will be driving ourselves. Maybe staying 3 or 4 days not decided yet. We tend to be slow moving these days and want to really enjoy what we see.

My question is about the driving. Is the ring really that bad? I mean, distance-wise it's not all the big, but will traffic hold us hostage all day long? Is there a technique to driving it and avoiding the tour busses? I thought if we leave early and stay ahead of the buses that it should be ok, but I don't know.

She really wants to see Kerry and I don't want to disappoint her. But I really hate driving in stop and go traffic.

I appreciate the help. Thanks for the great site Michele.

Mike

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2456
(4/25/04 11:46 pm)

Ring of Kerry

---

Hi Mike,

There are a couple of ways to approach your tour of the Ring of Kerry.

1. You could do the ring counterclockwise in the same manner as the buses and get an early start as you suggested.

2. Another option is to go clockwise instead. You will meet some buses coming toward you but if the portion of road you are on is small, just pull as far over to the left as possible, stop and let them go around you.

3. Another option is to actually spend a night on the ring. There are off the beaten path places that might interest you like the Skellig Ring and Valentia Island. I find that very few people actually stay on the ring. The buses are around for only a portion of the day and then you will have it all to yourselves. In July daylight is longlasting.

The distance doesn't seem that far but the ring will take you most of the day if you decide to do it as a day trip. There are things to see and interesting places to explore like Staigue Fort and Derrynane House, Gardens and National Park. If the tide is right you can even walk to Abbey Island near the park along some beautiful beaches.

You can't avoid the buses entirely but you can work around them.

Michele

BallyKPat
Unregistered User
(6/7/05 11:45 am)

Erik the Red lived in Iceland. Erik went to a man from the T

---

The other alternative is to do Dingle.

I think the scenery is a whole lot better on the Dingle side and you are in Kerry too!

On a clear day you can see the Ring of Kerry.
To me, the main problem with th ROK is that you spend so much time away from the sea and the views.

Just a thought!
BallyKPat

BallyKPat
Unregistered User
(6/7/05 11:50 am)

Ring of Kerry

---

The other alternative is to do Dingle.

I think the scenery is a whole lot better on the Dingle side and you are in Kerry too!

On a clear day you can see the Ring of Kerry.
To me, the main problem with th ROK is that you spend so much time away from the sea and the views.

Just a thought!
BallyKPat

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3172
(6/7/05 11:06 pm)

Dingle

---

BallyKPat,

Thanks for your suggestions. I agree that Dingle is one of Ireland's most scenic areas. It has a WOW! factor that the ROK does not. However, the ROK is a bit more subtle than Dingle. It has its rewards for those who have more time to spend there, perhaps overnighting along the way. The Skellig Ring is especially attractive. But most people just zip through and miss a lot.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 472
(6/8/05 10:46 am)

Re: ques about Ring of Kerry

---

I agree with Michele. Dingle is beautiful and you scarecely have to get out of your car to see amzing sites. Just follow the main road and you'll se it all in a short period of time. The RoK takes more patience, but you will be rewarded if you do it. Consider a trip out to Great Skellig if your stomach is up for it. They tell me the seas get pretty rough. I haven't done that yet, but it is now on my VERY short list of things that must be done.

If you get an early start on the ring, you can make it out to the Skellig ring and see very few buses. Take a picnic and enjoy it as you gaze out at the Skelligs in the distance. Take some of the inner roads through the park and peninsula. The Gap of Dunloe will likely be pretty crowded but still beautiful. Everyone will be either on foot, on two wheels and pedals or a jaunting car.

Bill

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 149
(6/13/05 9:55 pm)

Re: ques about Ring of Kerry

---

We stayed at a B&B and they booked a bus tour of the ring of Kerry for us. I'm so glad they did - the hedgerows are so high we would have missed alot of the scenery. We drove Dingle the next day and like someone said - you don't even have to get out of your car. But every 20 minutes or so - there are turn offs---i think we stopped at every one. That can be an all day or two day trip depending on how long you can stop and stare (we did a whole lot of that!)

Mcval 
Registered User
Posts: 29
(6/14/05 12:58 pm)

Re: ques about Ring of Kerry

---

We just got back this morning and the ROK was one of our main attractions. We stayed near Killarney and drove counterclockwise to Valencia Island where we took a Skellig Cruise. We were very windblown when we came back and our lips tasted like salt, but wow! It was totally worth it! The kids got great pictures for the 4H fair this summer and learned a lot!
Unfortunately we only got to experience the north part of the Ring. The cruise itself took 2 hours and we were somewhat early for that, so we enjoyed the scenery until the cruise. We saw two paragliders who must have jumped from the cliffs near the beach.
The next day, we drove back far enough on the ring to let the kids play on the beach in Ross Beigh.
One thing that amazes me, is how people can drink in that country and still drive on those roads! We saw the remains of a terrible accident on the ring that wasn't there the night before. A car had come around the corner apparently and went straight up a stone wall. Must have tried to turn too late and landed on it's side near the wall. The airbag had deployed. Noone was there in the morning, so I'm hoping they were ok.
I'm working on my memories of the trip now and will stick them in the other part of the forum soon.
Have fun planning!
Val

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3191
(6/15/05 12:47 am)

Re: ques about Ring of Kerry

---

Val,

Welcome back from Ireland. I hope you got some good weather. The Skellig trip sounds fantastic. I can't wait to hear all about it.

I have seen some spectacular accidents in Ireland also. I often think that the Irish people drive too fast for the road conditions there.

We will wait for the jet-lag to wear off and then look forward to your trip report.

Michele

DrJAKeegan
Unregistered User
(6/15/05 7:23 pm)

Ring of Kerry

---

Just returned from a great trip through the Ring of Kerry in May. An overnight stay is a must in my opinion. It can be done very comfortably in 2 days. We did the ring counter clockwise, stopping for a pint in Glenbeigh, and then spending the night in Cahirciveen. Since we took our time driving, we arrived late afternoon and had time for a lovely walk to appreciate Cahirciveen Bay. We dined at a fabulous restaurant in Cahirciveen at the point where the Valentia Car Ferry crosses, called O'Neill's "The Point". The seafood was fantastic. I highly recommend it. Valentia Island is a must, with it's subtropical landscape. We took the car ferry over first thing in the morning (it crosses very frequently), drove around the island, and then crossed back to the mainland trough the bridge at Portmagee. Spend some time in Ballinskeligs, and all the breathtaking scenery looking out on St. Finian's Bay!It is worth while taking your time as you drive back up the ring toward Castlecove, Sneem and through Moll's Gap. This side of the ring is, in my opinion, the most beautiful. Bring your camera. Have a great trip.

Tony

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3192
(6/15/05 11:12 pm)

Ring of Kerry

---

Tony,

Thanks for your comments and tips about the ROK. It sounds like you had a great time there. I totally agree with you about The Point Bar & Restaurant. I've had many a good meal there and they have been listed in my book for several years. Those that have the time to explore the ROK are usually rewarded with good experiences. Unfortunately many people have time constraints and must make hard choices about where they will go and what they will see. But there is always next time.

Michele