The Ring of Kerry is like no other place in the world with its rugged islands, beaches filled with white sand, and mountain passes that contain just a little drama. While it is possible to whiz through the Ring of Kerry in one day, anyone who does that will miss the sights, the sounds, and the intricacies that can only be found in within this region.
The Skellig Islands
The Ring of Kerry might only be a road, but it holds ten thousand years of history that goes from deep in the forest all the way to the deep raging waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are two Skellig Islands located along the Ring of Kerry, and Skellig Michael is the larger one of the two. The remains of the Christian monastery that was founded there between the 6th and 8th century can still be seen, and the entire island is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the best medieval stone forts on the Ring of Kerry is the Cahergal Stone Fort, which was constructed around 600 A.D. The current stone fort has been reconstructed slightly over the years, which makes it too clean and pure for some people, but it is still an impressive site that exudes breathtaking beauty.
Portmagee
On the journey around the Ring of Kerry, people will discover the Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge that leads over to the village of Portmagee. This a small picturesque fishing village that is more peaceful than it was when pirates and smugglers lived there. Many people that venture out to this village find themselves hiking around the island for the spectacular vistas and views.
Muckross House
Everyone must stop at the beautiful Killarney National Park and Muckross House. Muckross House is the focal point of the entire park, and it looks out over Muckross Lake. The house has sixty-five rooms and was constructed between 1839 and 1843. However, additional work was done during the 1850s to prepare for Queen Victoria’s visit.
Thankfully, there is a lot of rain in Ireland and along the Ring of Kerry, because it makes the Torc Waterfall even more amazing. The waterfall can be reached easily by walking approximately five minutes through the woods from the road. This waterfall is between seventy to eighty feet high and receives its water supply from the Owengarriff River. It is a magical place that everyone must see while exploring the Ring of Kerry.
Beauty is everywhere along the Ring of Kerry and people can see it all if they take their time and go slow while exploring what nature has put in place. For more amazing trip ideas and itineraries for The Ring of Kerry visit www.ireland.com.
