Best of the Iveragh Peninsula

Iveragh Peninsula Essentials

The Iveragh Peninsula encompasses the iconic Ring of Kerry, featuring Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, and the country's first national park in Killarney. This circuit includes well-preserved Iron Age stone forts like Staigue and Cahergal, alongside dramatic Atlantic viewpoints at the Kerry Cliffs and Coomakista. Notable sites include the 19th-century Derrynane House, the glacial valley of the Gap of Dunloe, and the expansive sandy stretches of Derrynane and Rossbeigh beaches.

Patricia Ranghetti Rocha / CC-BY-SA

Kerry Cliffs Experience

These 300-meter-high sea cliffs offer views of the Skellig Islands and Puffin Island. Formed over 400 million years ago, the site is located near Portmagee on the Skellig Coast.

Julien Hello / CC-BY-SA

Ladies View

A scenic viewpoint overlooking the Lakes of Killarney within the National Park. It was named after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who visited the spot during the royal tour of 1861.

Ruins

A narrow mountain pass forged by glacial breaches between the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Purple Mountain. The route passes five lakes connected by the River Loe.

mozzercork from Republic of Ireland / CC BY 2.0

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park, near the town of Killarney, County Kerry, was the first national park in Ireland, created when the Muckross Estate…

CC-BY-SA-3.0

Staigue Fort

Staigue or Staig is a ruined stone ringfort three miles west of Sneem, on the Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland.

Peter Theis / CC-BY-SA

Derrynane Beach

A Blue Flag sandy beach located near Caherdaniel. It sits adjacent to Derrynane House and is sheltered by Abbey Island, which contains the ruins of a 10th-century church.

Kwrecks / CC BY-SA 4.0

Ballycarbery Castle

Ballycarbery Castle is a castle 3 kilometres from Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland.

Joseph Mischyshyn / CC BY-SA 2.0

Moll's Gap

A mountain pass on the N71 road offering views of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. The area is known for its Old Red Sandstone formations and views of the Black Valley.

Carrauntoohil

Carrauntoohil, Carrauntoohill or Carrantuohill is the highest mountain in Ireland at 1,038.6 metres.

Peter Theis / CC-BY-SA

Kenmare Stone Circle

One of the largest stone circles in Southwest Ireland, dating to the Bronze Age. It consists of 15 peripheral stones and a rare central boulder dolmen.

Peter Theis / CC-BY-SA

Derrynane House

Derrynane House was the home of Irish politician and statesman, Daniel O'Connell.

Peter Theis / CC-BY-SA

Coomakista

A high-altitude mountain pass between Caherdaniel and Waterville. The stop provides panoramic views of Derrynane Bay, Kenmare River, and the islands of Scariff and Deenish.

Arturo DaGo / CC-BY-SA

Kerry Bog Village

An open-air museum featuring restored 19th-century thatched cottages. It demonstrates traditional Irish bog life and houses Kerry Bog Ponies and Irish Wolfhounds.

Kevin Carey / CC-BY-SA

Cahergal Ring Fort

A drystone ring fort dating to roughly 600 AD. The structure features massive terraced walls, internal stone stairways, and the remains of a central circular house.

Heather Myers / CC-BY-SA

Rossbeigh Beach

A six-kilometer sandy spit extending into Dingle Bay. The beach is backed by a complex dune system and provides views across the water to the Dingle Peninsula.

Bray Head Walk

A coastal walking trail on the western tip of Valentia Island. The path leads to a 19th-century signal tower and provides clear views of the Skellig Islands.