Ring of Kerry’s looping road through County Kerry

Ring of Kerry is a circular road route in County Kerry, in south-western Ireland, and it begins and ends in Killarney. Its appeal lies in the route’s visible shape: a long loop that links inland town, mountain passes and Atlantic coastline.

Ring of Kerry and the Iveragh Peninsula

The route follows the Iveragh Peninsula and is commonly described as about 179 km (111 miles) long. That length places it among the major scenic drives of the region, with the road’s arc giving it a clear geographic identity.

The route name is tied to a landscape of lakes, low mountains and sea-facing bends. Killarney sits at the northern end of the loop, while the western and southern stretches move through the peninsula’s coastal country.

Roads, settlements and the Kerry landscape

Several named places lie on the loop, including Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Glenbeigh. The road also connects with the N71, N70 and N72, which helps define the circuit as an organised transport route rather than a single viewpoint.

The route is a road tour rather than a heritage site with walls or gates. Its character comes from the succession of settlements, bends and open stretches across a peninsula that keeps sea and upland close together.

Ring of Kerry as a route experience

The Ring of Kerry is one of the best-known ways to move through this part of Ireland’s south-west, but its substance is practical and geographical rather than monumental. The road shape, the named stops and the peninsula setting are the features that define it.

Because the loop begins and ends in Killarney, the town works as its natural reference point. From there, the route makes a full circuit of the peninsula before returning to the same inland centre.

Visiting Ring of Kerry: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The route begins and ends in Killarney and runs around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. It follows the N71, N70 and N72 through a series of named towns and villages.
• The road is long and circular, so the landscape changes from inland stretches to coastal sections and back again. The route belongs to driving country, with a peninsula outline rather than a simple point-to-point road.
• Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Glenbeigh are among the places on the loop. Their sequence gives the route its structure.
• The official language is Irish and the currency is the euro.

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Frequently asked questions about Ring of Kerry

Where is Ring of Kerry?

Ring of Kerry is in County Kerry in south-western Ireland. The route starts and ends in Killarney and loops around the Iveragh Peninsula.

What does a visit involve?

It is a road journey through town, upland and coast, with a series of named stops along the way. The route is defined by the road network and the peninsula’s broad sweep.

What makes it distinctive?

Its circular form and its mix of inland and coastal scenery make it easy to recognise on a map. Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Glenbeigh mark out its route.