Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring Private Tour from Killarney

Cahergall Stone Fort dates to around 600 AD, its sturdy walls among the best-preserved early medieval examples on the Ring.

A private guided tour of the Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring from Killarney with an experienced driver and guide who grew up in South Kerry. The route covers historical sites, coastal villages and scenic viewpoints over eight to nine hours, with hotel pickup included. Optional paid entry to Valentia Slate Quarry, Valentia Lighthouse and Kerry Cliffs is available. Lunch is not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cahergall Stone Fort20m
2. Valentia Slate Quarry10m
3. Ladies View10m
4. Torc Waterfall20m

Explore Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island

• Stop at Lough Leane shore
• Visit Cahergall Stone Fort
• Tour Valentia Island
• See Valentia Slate Quarry
• View Cromwell Point Lighthouse site
• Explore Portmagee fishing village
• Admire Kerry Cliffs and Skellig Rocks
• Relax at Ballinskelligs beach
• Pass through Waterville village
• Visit Sneem village
• Stop at Ladies View
• Walk to Torc Waterfall

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Killarney hotel and a drive to Lough Leane, where the route begins at the shore. From there the tour moves through the Ring of Kerry's main stops: Cahergall Stone Fort, a dry stone fort built around 600 AD with walls roughly 6 meters high and 3 meters thick; Valentia Island, one of Ireland's westernmost points, where you can see the Slate Quarry that supplied stone to the Paris Opera House and London's Houses of Parliament; Portmagee, a fishing village on Valentia Harbour; and Cromwell Point Lighthouse, built in 1838 on the site of a 17th-century fort. The guide handles the driving and navigation, so you watch the landscape unfold without managing the route.

The tour includes stops at Kerry Cliffs, which rise over 1,000 feet above the Atlantic and look out toward the Skellig Rocks (one of only three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ireland), and Puffin Island. Ballinskelligs Beach, a Blue Flag beach in Ballinskelligs Bay, and the villages of Waterville and Sneem are also on the route. Ladies View, about 12 miles from Killarney, is the tour's most famous viewpoint. Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting visited in 1861 and the view was named after them. The final stop is Torc Waterfall, a short 200-meter walk from the road just outside Killarney town. The full loop takes eight to nine hours.

Your guide was born and raised in South Kerry and shares knowledge of the region's history, culture and less-traveled spots alongside the main attractions. The tour suits all fitness levels and accommodates infants in prams or strollers, as well as service animals. Optional paid tours of Valentia Slate Quarry and Valentia Lighthouse can be arranged, and entry to Kerry Cliffs costs €5 per person if you choose to visit.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Killarney.
• an experienced local guide born and raised in South Kerry.
• stops at Cahergall Stone Fort, Valentia Island, Portmagee, Cromwell Point Lighthouse, Kerry Cliffs, Ballinskelligs Beach, Waterville, Sneem, Ladies View and Torc Waterfall.
• the full eight- to nine-hour route with driving and navigation handled.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 5

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Wild Atlantic Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs eight to nine hours with a full day of driving and multiple short stops, so it suits travelers with a flexible schedule and comfort sitting in a car for extended periods. If you prefer a shorter outing or want to set your own pace at each site, a self-guided drive or half-day alternative would fit better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cahergall Stone Fort and why is it on this tour?

Cahergall Stone Fort is a dry stone fort built around 600 AD with walls approximately 6 meters high and 3 meters thick, making it one of the best-preserved examples of an early medieval stone fort on the Ring of Kerry. It sits on the route as a window into the region's ancient history.

Can I visit Valentia Slate Quarry and the lighthouse on this tour?

Both Valentia Slate Quarry and Valentia Lighthouse are optional paid tours available during the day. The quarry, which reopened recently, is famous for supplying slate to the Paris Opera House, London's Houses of Parliament and billiard tables for royalty. Entry fees are not included in the tour price.

How far is Ladies View from Killarney and what makes it special?

Ladies View is about 12 miles from Killarney and is probably the best-known viewpoint in the area. It was named in 1861 after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting visited during a royal tour and were so impressed by the view that it became known by their name.

What is included in the tour price and what costs extra?

The tour includes the guide, driving, hotel pickup and stops at all main attractions on the Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring. Lunch is not included. Optional paid entry to Valentia Slate Quarry, Valentia Lighthouse and Kerry Cliffs (€5 per person) can be added at checkout.

Is there a walk to Torc Waterfall, or do I see it from the road?

Torc Waterfall is a short walk of approximately 200 meters from the road, located about 7 kilometers from Killarney town. The walk is brief and the tour accommodates all fitness levels.

Who is the guide and what makes their perspective different?

Your guide is an experienced driver who was born and raised in South Kerry, so they share firsthand knowledge of the region's history, culture and hidden spots beyond the main tourist stops. Wild Atlantic Tours is a family-run business based in Killarney specializing in guided tours of Kerry and South West Ireland.