I read Rick’s tips for driving the Ring of Kerry, but my husband and I will be departing from Dingle to drive the RoK and will end up for the night in Kenmare. Is this a good idea to drive the ring counter clockwise from Dingle to Kenmare? Then our plan for the next day is to depart Kenmare to visit Killarney National Park. Any tips would be appreciated!
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2187 posts
Going counterclockwise you will be on the side of the road away from the sea, so if it is very busy with traffic going clockwise, views of the coast may be obscured by approaching and passing traffic.
One way round this would be to swap the days round. Drive to Kenmare on the first day visiting Killarney National Park and then do Ring of Kerry from Kenmare on the second day?
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2950 posts
I'd avoid going thru Killarney unless you plan to visit the NP - traffic congestion in the town can be pretty aggravating for thru traffic.
Going counterclockwise around the Ring on your way to Kenmare opens up the option of stopping off at the Gap of Dunloe, as well as the very pretty Skellig Ring Road that begins just west of Portmagee - a scenic and relatively mellow drive that includes a stop at the Kerry Cliffs for picture postcard views of the Skelligs, a stop at the abbey ruins at Ballinskelligs, and maybe lunch or coffee in Waterville along the way.