Ring of Kerry tour: MacGillycuddy Reeks & Ladies View

MacGillycuddy Reeks, mountain passes, a working sheep farm, and two bays in one loop

A six-hour loop tour from Killarney around the Ring of Kerry, driven by a local guide in an air-conditioned coach. The route circles the MacGillycuddy Reeks through their passes and valleys, stops at Ladies View overlooking the lakes, passes through Killarney National Park, and includes a sheep-dog demonstration where a farmer's dogs respond to whistled commands to gather the flock. The Kerry Bog Village and the village of Sneem are comfort stops with time to walk or rest. Check in at Deros Tours office (22 Main Street) by 10:00 AM for a 10:15 AM departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ring of Kerry scenic tour and stops

• Visit Kerry Bog Village
• Drive through Cahersiveen town
• Pass Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church
• Pass Daniel O'Connell historical site
• Pass Caherdaniel on Iveragh peninsula
• Stop in Sneem village for break
• Pass Moll's Gap mountain pass
• Pass Ladies View scenic viewpoint
• Pass Killarney National Park
• Attend Kells Sheep Dog Show (optional)

The experience

Killarney sits at the start of a loop that runs through mountain passes and along two bays (Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay) with the MacGillycuddy Reeks dominating the inland view. The tour circles these mountains rather than crossing them, so the drive stays on the N71 road and moves through valleys and passes named for their history: Moll's Gap, where an 18th-century landlady ran an unlicensed pub, opens onto views of the Reeks themselves. The coach is air-conditioned and sized to the group booking. A local driver provides commentary throughout.

Ladies View, named after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who visited in 1861, is the signature stop: a high vantage point where the Long Range waters wind into the three main lakes of Killarney. Killarney National Park, Ireland's oldest, covers 26,000 acres and includes Carrauntoohill, the country's highest peak at over 1,000 meters. The tour passes through rather than stopping for a long walk. The Kerry Bog Village, a reconstruction of late-19th-century rural cottages with period furnishings and farm equipment, serves as the morning comfort stop with time to tour the buildings or simply rest. Sneem, a colourful village on the southwestern Iveragh peninsula, is the afternoon stop for ice cream, tea or a drink, with views of Derrynane Bay and the surrounding mountains.

The sheep-dog demonstration at Kells is optional and costs €8 per person, paid in cash on site. A local farmer and his dogs respond to whistled commands to gather sheep into a pen, and a question-and-answer session follows. The flock includes rare breeds. The tour returns to Killarney by approximately 4:15 PM, though the operator notes this is an estimate and may vary due to traffic, weather or roadworks. Priority seating in the first four rows can be reserved in advance for €8 per person, paid at the office before departure.

What’s included

• Driver and guide in English.
• air-conditioned coach sized to your group.
• stops at Ladies View, Killarney National Park, the Kerry Bog Village (with period cottages and farm equipment), and Sneem (a colourful village with shops and cafes).
• morning and afternoon comfort stops.
• a question-and-answer session following the sheep-dog demonstration (€8 per person, optional, paid in cash on site).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:15

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (8 to 14 years) · Child (2 to 7 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Deros Coach Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so the commentary and stops are accessible to English-speaking travelers. If you want priority seating in the front rows for better views of the mountains and lakes, reserve it in advance for €8 per person at the office before the tour begins.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 14 years); Child (2 to 7 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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 Ladies View and why do people stop there?

Ladies View is a high scenic overlook on the Ring of Kerry named after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, who visited Killarney in 1861. From this point you see the meandering waters of the Long Range flowing into Killarney's three main lakes, with the MacGillycuddy Reeks in the distance. It is one of Ireland's best-known viewing points and a standard stop on the tour.

Do I have to pay extra to see the sheep-dog show?

Yes, the sheep-dog demonstration at Kells costs €8 per person and is optional. You pay in cash on site if you choose to attend. The demonstration shows how a farmer's dogs respond to whistled commands to gather sheep, followed by a question-and-answer session about the flock and rare breeds.

What time does the tour leave Killarney and when does it return?

The tour departs at 10:15 AM from the Deros Tours office at 22 Main Street, where you must check in by 10:00 AM. The estimated return time is approximately 4:15 PM, though the operator notes this is an estimate and may vary due to traffic, weather, roadworks or other delays beyond their control.

Is Killarney National Park a stop where I get out and walk?

The tour passes through Killarney National Park, which covers 26,000 acres and includes Ireland's highest mountain, Carrauntoohill. The coach drives through the park as part of the loop. It is not a dedicated walking stop. The Kerry Bog Village and Sneem are the main stops where you have time to get out and explore.

What happens if the weather is bad or the roads are closed?

The itinerary is subject to change at the driver's discretion due to weather or parking availability on the day. On certain dates, such as the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on July 3rd, 2027, full road closures require a detour that may exclude Killarney National Park from the route. The operator will inform you of any changes in advance when possible.

Can I bring hot drinks or food on the coach?

No, for health and safety reasons hot drinks and food are not allowed on the coach. You have time for refreshments at the Kerry Bog Village, Sneem and other comfort stops along the route.