The Skellig Ring Scenic Route

The Skellig Ring coastal driving tour brings you along narrow winding roads with beautiful views of the Skelligs and Valentia Island. There is lots to see and do along the route too. You can easily spend a day exploring this beautiful part of Kerry.

This tour is also suitable for cyclists! Plan a full day for this tour.

The Skellig Ring Route

Take the R567 turning off from the Ring of Kerry between Caherciveen and Waterville. This road brings you along the shore and if you feel like a long walk on a sandy beach follow the signs to Reenroe beach.
At the T-junction turn left onto the R566 to Ballinskelligs. You will pass Cill Rialaig Art Centre near the village of Dun Geagan. Artists from all over the world exhibit their locally themed paintings and sculptures there. A great stop for art lovers!

A must see on your Skellig Ring tour is Ballinskelligs beach with the McCarthy Mór Castle ruin dating back to the 16th century. Follow the beach to the south and you will reach the remains of Ballinskelligs Abbey, an Augustinian Priory founded in the 12th century by monks returning from the Skelligs.

Continue your tour on the Skellig Ring towards St. Finian's Bay. The narrow road will lead you up the mountain. Coming down the other side you will experience one of the most beautiful views in Kerry. On a clear day, you will see the Skelligs and Puffin Island.

Travelling towards St. Finian's Bay you will pass Skelligs Chocolate where they make really yummy handmade chocolates of every flavour imaginable. The best is that you can try the chocolates before buying. They make a great present for your loved ones that weren't so lucky to come to Kerry! If you need a break you can also enjoy some coffee and cake there.

Follow the Skellig Ring road and keep left before the church. This will bring you up a narrow, winding and at times quite steep road.  This mountain is called Coomanaspic and from the top you will have a fantastic view over Valentia Island and Portmagee.

Descending the mountain towards Portmagee are the spectacular Kerry Cliffs (4 Euro entry fee!). You can walk right up to the edge of the cliffs and enjoy beautiful views all around.

If you feel like a break the colourful village of Portmagee has several options for you. Choose between pub, restaurant or cafe.

The boats for the Skelligs leave from Portmagee Harbour. Trips need to be pre-booked. This is one of my favourite tours. You can read all about it here.

Go over the bridge to Valentia Island and turn left at the top. As you follow this road you can enjoy beautiful views to the Skelligs again.

Tip: Enjoy a beautiful walk up Bray Head to an old signal tower.

The road swings to the right bringing you around the upper road of Valentia. If the visibility is good you should take a spin up Geokaun mountain and enjoy the beautiful views over Valentia and the Iveragh peninsula. You won't regret it! There is also a platform that brings you right out right over the cliffs. Breathtaking!

Other places of interest on Valentia are the Lighthouse at Cromwell point and Glanleam Gardens (see map below).
The route will bring you on to Knightstown, a pretty little village with pubs and cafes for another break. From there take the car ferry (runs from Easter until the end of September) to Reenard Point. From there the road will take you back towards Caherciveen.

Skellig Ring Route Map

You can use this map for driving directions. Save it to your maps in Google. You can also print this map. Enlarge the map for a more detailed view by clicking on the brackets in the right hand corner.

More Kerry Travel Tips For You