Read our
recommendations on the best places to visit in Ireland.
In this section we cover two potential add-ons to your Ring of Kerry
explorations. Although you can simply drive through Killarney National
Park while on the Ring drive, we think you might enjoy a more leisurely
look. Also, for the adventurous among, consider a boat trip to the
monastic ruins on Skellig Michael. Both attractions are described below.
If you have time, visit Killarney National Park, which offers beautiful scenery, the
Inveragh Peninsula's three major lakes and a number of historic attractions.
The Park is crowded in high season, but enjoyable in almost any season.
The official website of the
Killarney National Park provides a
detailed overview of the activities available and there is a lot to see and
do. Most of the spots that you will want to see are along the Kenmare
Road (N71). Sights to see include the lakes (Lower Lake (Lough
Leanne), Middle Lake and Upper Lake), the Torc Waterfall (about a sixty-foot
drop) and Ladies view and a panoramic landscape across the lakes of
the Park towards the Gap of Dunloe. The rumor is that the "ladies"
involved in naming the view were Queen Victoria and the her
ladies-in-waiting. Regardless, the view from the overlook is stunning.
Historic attractions within the Park that you should consider include
Ross Castle (the
15th century castle of an Irish Chieftain and
Muckross House and Gardens
(a furnished, beautiful Victorian house with exceptional
gardens), the
Muckross Traditional Farms
(three showcase
farms using "traditional" Irish methods to grow their crops) and
Muckross Friary , a 15th century Franciscan
friary that has been excellently preserved.
If you are interested in seeing more of the Park, consider taking one of the
boat rides connecting the attractions along the lakes. See this page
from the Killarney National Park official
website for more information, or stop by
the Tourist Office in Killarney where you will find brochures on the
available options.
About 8 miles (12 km) off St. Finan's Bay at the end of the
Inveragh Peninsula (the Ring of Kerry drive encloses the peninsula) is Skellig
Michael Island (Great Skellig), a rocky outcrop elevated 714 ft (218
meters) above sea level. What makes this island so unique is that
there is an abandoned monastic complex near the top of this bleak and
weatherworn piece of rock. In the 6th century, the monastery was
founded by St. Fionan and was active for the next 600 years. Eventually the
order relocated in the town of Ballinskellig on the mainland.
The monastic complex consists of several beehive huts and two oratories
for worship, which can be reached only by an uphill climb along a dramatic 670-step
stone staircase. Skellig Michael was named a UNESCO World Heritage
site in 1996.
Access to the island is limited, but a number of boats are licensed to
make the tour. The ride to the island can be quite rough and in some weather
an approach to the island is impossible. Most trips take an hour
(or slightly longer) to reach the island and afford 2 to 2.5 hours on
the rock. Wear warm clothes and be prepared for wet conditions.
Finally, there are no facilities of any type on the island. We suggest
that you bring water and something for a snack. Scrambling up those
steps and the fresh sea air will make you ravenous.
If you are interested in visiting Skellig Michael, you should reserve ahead.
For a list of
websites running boats that can take you to the island use your favorite
search engine and enter "Skellig Michael boat trips".
For those of you who would like to know more about the Skelligs (there
is a smaller sister island that is well known for its bird colony),
but not interested in the boat trip, consider visiting
The Skellig Experience.
The Experience is on the waterfront,
near the bridge to Valentia Island directly opposite the town of Portmagee. The Skellig Experience includes an audio-visual tour of the island, along with
other presentations that will help you appreciate the determination and
religious fervor of the
island's monastic community.
The Skellig Experience Centre is located 11KM off the western sector of the Ring of Kerry - (N 70).
Take R565 west from Laharan South (located on the N70) towards Portmagee
(located just before the bridge crossing to Valentia (Valenica) Island.
You can either backtrack to where you left the Ring or continue your tour
through Valentia Island and catch a ferry from Knights Town (at the islands
north eastern edge) to Cahirciveen further along on the Ring of Kerry.
Finally, you might want to take a look at Heritage Ireland's
page on
Skellig Michael.
If you need to find
information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web
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