Your Key To Killarney, County Kerry Ireland

Loch Lein, Killarney’s Lower Lake

Killarney is the jewel in the crown of The Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is an amazing day trip of natural beauty taking in majestic lakes, rivers, mountains and truly spectacular Atlantic views. The scenery is unrivalled but it is the towns, villages and most definitely the people that will leave a magnificent lasting impression on the visitor.

Beginning in Killarney you take a counter clockwise route past Killarney Golf Club (Four Time Host to the Irish Open) on the lake shore and follow the River Laune to the Town of Killorglin. On route you will see the towering peak of Carrauntouhil on your left ruling over the McGillicuddy Reeks. Carrauntouhil stands at 1,038 metres, which is the highest mountain in Ireland. It is worth it on a clear day to climb and see the views from on top; however a good local guide is recommended to ensure your complete safety. Fitness and route dependent its takes about 6 hours to climb up and down, what awaits are spellbinding views as far as the Atlantic, not to mention the astounding Holy Cross on top which was erected in 1976 by a hundred local volunteers.

Onwards to the town of Killorglin (home of Puck Fair every August 10th, 11th,12th ) passing Dooks (home to a fantastic links golf course) you begin to appreciate the beautiful vistas of the Wild Atlantic Way. The meandering road takes you along the coast to Glenbeigh, bypassing Rossbeigh Beach and along to Kells on route to Caherciveen. The beauty is all around for you to admire, each twist in the road reveals another hidden gem. I recommend taking the Car Ferry to Valentia Island outside Caherciveen if only to admire the Atlantic Beauty as you drive around the Island. The first Trans-Atlantic Cable was laid here and there are magnificent Tetra Pod tracks arer to be admired also, rumour has it they are over 350 million years old. Fogher Cliffs and Geokaun Mountain provide jaw dropping views of the Atlantic. Take the short drive over the bridge to Portmagee, a picturesque fishing village where boat trips to the famous Skellig Islands depart from. The trip is seasonal and only operates from May to September and advance reservations are essential, but the weather determines above all else whether or not sailings will occur. Firstly inhabited by monks from about 600AD, The Skelligs are a truly magical place and one cannot but feel enlightened whatever your religion upon setting foot on the natural rock islands which provided solitude and refuge for those brave souls many centuries ago. Their recent role in the “Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi” Star Wars Movies has led to unprecedented interest in visiting the islands which are 12 kilometres off the coast; please allow yourself 4/5 hours for the trip overall.

Giving a history lesson on The Skelligs

Departing Portmagee a short drive to the Cliffs of Kerry is a huge must for the awesome views and then on to Ballinskelligs to complete what is known as The Skellig Ring.  The village of Waterville is next, home of the famous Golf Links and the favourite holiday destination of Charlie Chaplin. As you leave Waterville and ascend the mountain pass of Coomakista you will have to stop and take some photos of the rugged coastline. The Wild Atlantic Way has at this point engulfed you and everywhere along the coast from Derrynane to Kenmare you cannot but admire your surroundings.

As you leave  the Kenmare Valley to pass through Molls Gap you are in fact entering the Killarney Valley, twisting and turning downwards to reveal picture postcard views along the way, Ladies View is stunning and uncounted are the lovestruck men whom have got down on one knee here to propose marriage to their beloved right down through the centuries.