Things to Do in Ring Of Kerry

Situated on neighboring Valentia Island, the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre showcases the history and habitats of the Skelligs, two remote and rocky islets off Ireland’s southwest coast. Exhibits document the history of the UNESCO-listed Skellig Michael monastic settlement, Skellig Lighthouses, and the wildlife of the islands.

Housed inside a distinctive glass-roofed building, the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre allows you to find out more about these two wind-swept Atlantic islets from the safety and comfort of indoors. The center is a great complementary activity for those who plan on heading out to the monastic ruins on Skellig Michael, and a terrific alternative for those who can’t access the Skelligs themselves, whether because of bad weather, having young children in tow, or mobility issues.

The center is often visited as part of Ring of Kerry day tours from Killarney, Killorglin, Sneem, or Cahersiveen. Day tours to the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre typically make stops at other nearby sights, such as the fishing town of Portmagee. The center also runs boat cruises around the Skellig Islands (no landing) during the summer months.

The Skellig Experience Centre is situated on Valentia Island, County Kerry. Drivers exploring the Ring of Kerry should depart the route between Cahersiveen and Waterville, following the sign marked Valentia Island and Portmagee. Find the center at the far end of the road bridge from Portmagee. 

The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre is open from March through September, with boat trips running from April to September, weather-permitting. The busiest months are July and August. For a quieter experience, get here early in the day. 

Skellig Michael was originally known for its early Christian monastic settlement, which was built by the Skellig monks who first arrived on the wind- and wave-battered islet in the sixth century. Parts of the complex, including beehive-shaped cells, a church, and graveyard, can still be seen. In recent years, the Skelligs have been thrown into the limelight for a different reason, having been used as a filming location in the latest Star Wars movies.

Set atop a grassy pasture overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this crumbling, ivy-covered castle is one of Ireland’s most romantic ruins. The castle, which originally dates back to the 16th century, was damaged during the 17th-century War of the Three Kingdoms. Now, only parts of the structure, such as its high stone walls, remain in place.

The castle is relatively undiscovered and is often overlooked by tourists exploring the Ring of Kerry. As the castle is situated on private land and the ruins are somewhat unstable, Ballycarbery is not open to the public. Visitors can, however, park in a nearby lot, where some background information on the castle is provided. Admire the structure from afar, and take photos of the picturesque ruin. Some private Ring of Kerry day tours do make photo stops at the evocative site. 

Ballycarbery Castle is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Cahersiveen, County Kerry in an area locals call “over the water.” From Cahersiveen, follow Castlequin Road and then turn left when you see the sign for Ballycarbery Castle. Driving here involves navigating narrow country roads, so you may prefer to go as part of a guided tour. 

Because of its off-the-beaten-path setting and the lack of public access, Ballycarbery Castle is rarely busy. Even in peak summer season, there’s a good chance you’ll be the only sightseer photographing the structure. 

Other historical attractions situated not far from Ballycarbery Castle include Leacanabuaile Fort and Cahergall Fort; these ancient stone forts are less than 5 minutes away from the castle ruins by car. The castle is also just a short drive from Valentia Island, home to the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre, and the Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen, which is named after the 19th-century Irish political leader and campaigner for Catholic emancipation.

The former home of Irish politician Daniel O’Connell, Derrynane House is packed with period furnishings and exhibits related to the statesman, who campaigned for Catholic emancipation in the 19th century. The house sits within Derrynane National Historic Park, which encompasses woodland trails, walled gardens, and scenic shoreline.

 

Visitors to Derrynane House can take a self-guided tour of the interior, exploring the dining room, study, drawing room, library, and chapel. Also on display is the gilded chariot that carried O’Connell through Dublin following his release from Richmond Bridewell prison in 1844. The house is often visited as part of Ring of Kerry tours, which stop at other sights along the scenic route, such as Ballycarbery Castle, Valentia Island, and Cahergall and Leacanabuaile forts.

 

 

Derrynane House sits on the Kerry coast, about a 5-minute drive from the village of Caherdaniel. Caherdaniel is on the Ring of Kerry, which circumnavigates the Iveragh Peninsula. There is visitor parking available. If you aren’t driving, it’s best to visit Derrynane as part of a tour that includes round-trip transport.

 

The best time to visit Derrynane House is in summer, when mild weather allows visitors to make the most of the walking trails on the grounds. The estate closes for much of winter, usually from mid-December to mid-March.

 

The gardens and parklands surrounding Derrynane House are crisscrossed with trails. Follow woodland paths leading down to the beach and look for rare subtropical plant species, such as ferns and giant rhubarb, which manage to thrive here thanks to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Families can pick up a map of the Derrynane Fairy Trail in the on-site tearoom and set out in search of the small fairy hideaways that are scattered around the woods.

The Old Slate Quarry is located a short distance from Knightstown on Valentia Island. The quarry was opened in 1816 by the Knights of Kerry and supplied slate to such prestigious places as London’s Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, as well as the San Salvador railway station in South America.

The quarry operated for almost 100 years, employing as many as 400 workers at its peak, and was finally closed as a result of a rock fall at the mouth of the quarry in 1911. It reopened again in the late 1990s and is currently back in operation, with quality slate products being produced by six members of staff.

The site is also home to a huge natural grotto that was built into the mined quarry. Today, this is a popular spot for visitors who want to take advantage of the peaceful setting and dramatic panoramic views out to sea.

Dating back to the seventh century, this ring fort is one of several such structures dotted around County Kerry. Restored to better resemble its original state, this circular stone structure features sturdy stone walls up to 16.4 feet (5 meters) thick and 6.6 feet (4 meters) high, and affords stunning views down to the Atlantic coast.

 

Cahergall Fort is one of the Ring of Kerry’s lesser-known sights and is often overlooked on tours of the area, though it can be incorporated into private tours with custom-made itineraries from several nearby towns such as Killarney, Kenmare, and Killorglin. Because of Cahergall Fort’s proximity to Leacanabuaile Fort and Ballycarbery Castle, the three sites are frequently visited together. Steps on the fort’s internal walls allow visitors to climb up to the top level, which—on a clear day—offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and Valentia Harbour.

 

 

The fort is situated in an area known as “over the water” by locals, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Cahersiveen in County Kerry. From Cahersiveen, cross over the bridge down by the Old Barracks and follow signposts for Cahergall Fort. The fort is in an isolated area not served by public transport. If you don’t have access to a car, it’s best to go as part of a tour.

 

Cahergall Fort is situated off the beaten tourist track, and the site itself is rarely busy. However, there is  limited parking, and spots are snapped up quickly in summer. Arrive in the early morning or late afternoon to ensure you get a spot.

 

Two other historic attractions lie in the immediate vicinity of Cahergall Fort. The first, Leacanabuaile Fort, is another partially reconstructed ring fort and is just a stone’s throw away. Leacanabuaile Fort features stone walls, an underground tunnel, and the remains of ancient dwellings. Also in the area are the ruins of 16th-century Ballycarbery Castle, a crumbling, ivy-clad structure overlooking the Atlantic.

Set on a grassy outcrop with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, the remote Leacanabuaile Fort is a worthwhile addition to any tour of the beautiful Ring of Kerry. The original fort, thought to date back to the ninth or 10th century, has been partially reconstructed to give a better sense of its original features.

 

Most visitors to Leacanabuaile Fort also take in the nearby Cahergall Fort, which is just a short walk away. Both forts are relatively remote and do not feature on most tourist itineraries, though some private Ring of Kerry tours will stop here, as well as at nearby Ballycarbery Castle, a picturesque 16th-century ruin along the Kerry coast. At Leacanabuaile Fort, visitors are free to explore independently. Informational signage at the site provides historical context.

 

 

Leacanabuaile Fort can be found about 2.4 miles (4 kilometers) southeast of the village of Cahersiveen, which is situated along the main Ring of Kerry driving route. From Cahersiveen, cross over the bridge down by the Old Barracks and follow signposts for the fort. The drive required navigating narrow, rural roads, so some visitors may prefer to go as part of a guided tour.

 

Leacanabuaile Fort’s remote location means it is usually  peaceful and uncrowded. However, the parking lot, which this sight shares with nearby Cahergall Fort, is small and can fill up during the summer season. Visit these forts early in the day or during late afternoon to make sure you can find a spot.

 

Also situated near Cahersiveen is Cahergall Fort, a larger and older ring fort that affords superb views out over the coast. Ballycarbery Castle is less than five minutes from the fort by car; though it is not open to the public, this ivy-covered 16th-century ruin can be admired and photographed from the roadside.