Ring of Kerry: Portmagee and Skellig Ring Tour from Killarney
Description
Embark on the scenic Ring of Kerry journey, unveiling Ireland's breathtaking landscapes, quaint villages, and iconic landmarks. Immerse yourself in a captivating blend of nature, history, and local culture as you traverse this renowned coastal route, offering unforgettable views. When it’s over, you’ll take home more than photos - you’ll have a heart full of unforgettable Irish memories and discover fascinating stories on this 1-Day small-group tour from Killarney.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The quest continues, taking us to the tiny fishing village of Portmagee where you have time to explore and grab a bite to eat. Or you could skip all that and head straight to Portmagee Whiskey, because some things take priority.
It's time to coast along the Skellig Ring. This incredible 18km stretch of road is an extension of the Ring of Kerry, and often overlooked... we're not sure why. Get ready for wild views of raw beauty, everything that makes Ireland unfathomable. The best part? Big coaches can't take the road, yet another reason we love our small mini-buses as a way to explore off-the-beaten-track.
As we make our way back towards Killarney, we’ll pause at a few scenic spots within Killarney National Park. This is a landscape where rugged mountains merge with glacial valleys, peaceful woodlands, and the shimmering Lakes of Killarney. And as you take in the sweep of ancient oak forests and wild bogs, it’s easy to see why so many legends are woven into this place.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You’re restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This may consist of a small bag for onboard personal items and a larger suitcase or rucksack.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour departs
- Minimum age for travel on this tour is 5 years old
Reviews(26)
I’ll start by saying Mother Nature didn’t cooperate. The Skellig Ring was completely covered in mist, so we missed many of the famous views. Surprisingly, I still had a fantastic day. Our guide, Mick (or Mike…or Michael), absolutely made this tour. He was funny, engaging, and full of stories, local history, and Irish humor. By the end of the day, our van had become “the joke van,” and I came home with plenty of stories to retell. I will also think fondly of the milk cat, the two dogs joke, and the 10-inch pianist. Even without the scenery, the itinerary was enjoyable. We explored the Kerry Bog Village, met Paddy the donkey and Sky the dog, stopped in Portmagee for lunch where I had delicious soup overlooking the harbor, enjoyed a chocolate tasting at Skelligs Chocolate (highly recommend ordering the café mocha made with fresh chocolate!), and never felt rushed at any stop. As an unexpected bonus, we stopped at Torc Waterfall on the way back, which was a great way to end the day. Obviously, I’d love to come back on a clear day to see what everyone raves about, but even with the weather, I don’t regret booking this tour. If you end up with Mick as your guide, you’re in for a fun day regardless of the forecast.
Absolutely lovely tour of the Ring of Kerry! Views were beautiful departing from and returning to Killarney and our group was great, which I want you to keep in mind when I tell you that my favourite part was our tour guide, Mick. He took an incredible experience and made it unforgettable. Had our entire group laughing and engaged the entire day. Always quick with a bit of history and brought all of us out of our shells with his sharp humor. We had an unusual amount of fog roll in during the afternoon and didn't get to see the Skellig Islands very well, and I'm not even sure anyone was phased because of how much we were enjoying our time thanks to him. Mick, if you're reading this, I'm splitting the G on a Guinness in your honour! Thanks for making this tour one of the best I've ever been on and hope our paths cross again one day, however unlikely that may be.
Fantastic experience with our tour guide Martin. Loads of information provided by Martin accompanied by mind-blowing scenery of one of Ireland's most beautiful areas. I really liked that this was a small group and the van could get to places were buses could not. 5/5 experience.
Great tour to discover the Skellig Ring, an authentic part of Ireland, a true hidden gem. We were blessed with a mild weather but expect it to be extremely windy anyway. We made multiple stops along the way so it didn’t feel too tiring. Lunch in Portmagee was fine, but I wish we had more time there, so as at Derrynane House & gardens.
My wife and booked this small bus tour to explore the Ring of Kerry. The scenery was beautiful and our tour bus guide was knowledgeable, courteous and safe.
Phenomenal experience especially with a small group. We were to make many stops along the ring and to see the Skellig ring due to the smaller bus size. We were fortunate and had a sunny day. Beautiful scenery of ocean, mountains and villages.
I’ve done the ring before but drove myself. It was nice to be in a small group and be able to sightsee. As expected, some of the stops are very rushed. The stop at The Red Fox Inn was completely unneeded. Giant touristic mess. The Skellig Ring was the best part of the tour. Sit on the right side of the vehicle for the best views. If you stop at the Derrynane House, go down the path to the left of the entrance to see the dunes. Stunning. The driver may tell you there isn’t enough time. It seems it was a means (lie maybe) to funnel people to the cafe. Overall, a nice trip.
Great tour, with only one disappointment. The Red Fox Inn was a cheesy, crowded tourist trap. Other than that there was plenty of spectacular scenery with a lot of good stops. Martin, our guide was both entertaining and informative.
This van (16 people max) can go on smaller roads that big buses can’t. Derek is a great driver and guide! We not only saw great views but learned so much about Ireland. We even stopped to buy chocolate, as well as visiting several sites in Killarney National Park. Don’t miss this! I did a big bus tour several years ago, but this is much better.
Martin provided plenty of informative comments interlaced with some dry Irish music throughout the day. Very enjoyable.
