The Ring of Kerry & the Dingle Peninsula

Its many small towns and picturesque locations have made County Kerry one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. The two key attractions in this county are the Ring of Kerry located in the south of the county and the Dingle Peninsula located in the north of the county. In the north of county Kerry, are impressive coastlines, sandy beaches, farmlands and steep mountains. The south of the county has serene lakes and the highest mountains in the country – Mac Gillycuddy’s Reeks.

You can spend days just appreciating the beauty of these places and what they have to offer. County Kerry is certainly one of the best destinations to go backpacking in Ireland.

Ring of Kerry

One of the most visited locations in the country, the Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail. Extending over 180 km, the circular track is ideal for those who want to experience the beautiful scenery county Kerry has to offer whether it be by bus, car, bicycle or on foot. For backpackers there are also many hostels to stay in along the route. You can start your trip from Killarney, go through the Dingle Peninsula, pass Waterville and Coomakesta Pass to reach Killorglin. As you travel along the route, you will pass some of the most intriguing sites in Ireland. Some of these are Lough Leane, Ross Castle, Muckross House and Gap of Dunloe. The area is also dotted with hiking trails at almost every turn.

The Deenish Islands, Scarrif and Kenmare River are a few places that you should also try and visit on your trip. Irish Emancipator Daniel O’Connell’s home, Derrynane House, is located near Catherdaniel, a village in County Kerry. As it is a part of the massive Derrynane National Park, visitors can enjoy the beauty of not just the house, but the natural habitat that surrounds it. Some of the best beaches in Ireland and a big nature trail are just a few of the factors that attract backpackers to the Ring of Kerry.

Many more sites lie along the route. With more than 30 such sites to visit, plan your trip such that you can accommodate most of these. An established path for walking, called the Kerry Way, has been created to allow backpackers to conveniently travel through the Ring of Kerry.

Ideally you should spread your trip over a few days so you can take a break and experience some of the towns along the route. Killorglin, Killarney, Caherciveen and Kenmare are four towns capable of offering backpackers a whole range of key services. Visit the small village of Glenbeigh, which allows easy access to a beach called Rossbeigh beach where you can unwind for a few hours. The beach is situated at Rossbeigh, a short distance away from the village. Several cafes, restaurants and pubs that cater to visitors dining requirements dot these small towns.

Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula is a wide expanse of wild and breathtaking landscapes that forms one of the two key tourist attractions of County Kerry. Its magnificent islands, beaches and cliffs add a touch of beauty that is captivating. These features are just a few of the reasons the Dingle Peninsula was once described by the National Geographic Traveler as "the most beautiful place on earth".

To get a feel of the rugged beauty of this county, we would certainly recommend visiting Dingle as part of your backpacking Ireland adventure. Travel west of Dingle and you will find interesting historical sites such as the Gallarus Oratory(image above) and the beautiful Blasket Island where some many famous writers got inspiration. West of Dingle is also a gaeltacht area so you will find many of the locals speaking the Irish language as they stroll on the beautiful beaches the area has to offer. Dingle Town is the place to head to for a few hours of rest. While you are there, you can shop for a few lovely handicraft items made by local, skilled craftsmen or many take a boat trip to see the areas most famous inhabitant Fungi the dolphin.

Detailed itinerary for driving around the Ring of Kerry : Ring of Kerry - Self Drive .

More information on the Ring of Kerry & Dingle :

Dingle
West Dingle
The Ring of Kerry