Due to the weather and timing, we only stopped by the visitor center…read more There was an interesting movie to watch that gave some good information about the island, monks and wildlife. It looked beautiful but challenging to see as part of an island tour. The exhibits about the Skellig monastery and details about how the monks eeked out a living were quite good. Very amazed about their perseverance to live on such a remote and isolated island. A small cafe was also onsite and one could take in views of Portmagee here or outside the center. Hopefully next time we will have time and good weather to see the island.

We were a little upset that we didn't see any Jedis but that's not the fault of the island. there…read moreare two toilets on the island and all of the boats that take you there have a "toilet" but good luck with 6+ foot swells. I have a pretty decent fear of heights and I made it just about to the top. The last chain rail on the right side about 60 steps or so from the top. I had to turn around and go back down. On my way up I kept looking back to make sure I could handle the decent because that's actually the most terrifying part. I kept telling myself I was good until I finally made my decent. I just have broken a world record making it down in ten minutes. The decent is extremely steep and frightening if you look anywhere but your feet. Regardless the experience was incredible and I would probably do it again medicated

This is a haven, far form the beaten track. It has its own garden route that takes you through the…read morelocal flora down a to quiet pond. Very scenic, nested among the mountains, on a sunny days in summer, there is something magical about it. The garden centre itself has a small but great selection of seasonal plants.

Closed to the public. Drove all the way down here to see the castle pictured. Had an information…read moresigned, but you could not go near it.

Ballycarbery Castle was amazing! It is located down a narrow road outside of Cahersiveen. It is…read morenear the mouth of the Valentia River. There was plenty of parking available and a few other groups exploring when we arrived. The castle really is breathtaking. There is a path that leads up to the entrance and best of all - it is free! The castle looks like it was cut away along the diagonal and gives an excellent cross sectional view. Much of the outside is covered in ivy which makes the view that much more striking. Beware - there are beehives in the ivy. There are some sections that you can hear a loud buzzing from. For the most part, the bees are content to stay in their home but I still walked a little further away around those sections. For the ambitious, you can find your way to the upper levels. We didn't do that ourselves but saw other families making the ascent. This is the perfect place to detour if you are driving the Ring of Kerry and want a reprieve from the numerous tour buses. We didn't see any in this area! The views at the top of the hill behind the castle are also worth seeing. 5 stars.

THE BEACON (BALTIMORE)…read more Been in Baltimore quite often but never made it out as far as the famous beacon until last Saturday. Built as part of a series after the 1798 rebellion, the landmark is also known as Lot's Wife. It wasn't there when the village was sacked by Algerian pirates in 1631 but over the centuries has been a welcome sight to home-coming seafarers. It is visible from the village and once you exit to the east is easily found. You park in a small cul-de-sac or even on the road before you come to it. The climb up is quite steep but, if you start further back, you will find an easier route to walk to the Beacon. Once up by the white-painted pointed pillar, you have views all around you, most notably to Sherkin Island across to the right and then the coastal cliffs on your left. Worth the short detour if you do call to Baltimore (which is the ferry port for the many islands on that beautiful stretch of coast).

Great view from the beacon. We brought lunch and had the world's windiest picnic. It was lovely! It…read moredoes contain about 20 steps of hiking though, so be aware.

Valentia Island is connected by a bridge off the Ring of Kerry. Cute fishing village, beehive huts,…read morepottery studio and more on this little island. This location is where the first underwater cable was laid between Ireland and the U.S. Prior to the cable, a telegram to the U.S. could take up to 3 weeks (according to our tour guide), and after, it took just seconds. On a clear day you can see Skellig Michael from this spot. If you have room in your schedule, stop on the island and take in the sights. It's a nice day trip or just a few minutes. Whatever your schedule allows.

Small fee and short walk to the cliffs but even in the summer it was really cold and windy. I was…read morereally cold but it was so beautiful and enjoyed watching the waves hit the rocks ... the colors of the water. I got sick bronchitis and laryngitis day after. Definitely worth seeing if you're in the area. We had hats with brims and chin straps... tighten the chin strap as tight as possible or the hat will end up in the ocean.

When we arrived at the Kerry Cliffs parking lot the rain and wind were picking up. It was a bit of…read morea hike up a gravel path to get to the viewing spots. A couple beehive hut reproductions could be visited about midway up. For some reason a car passed us by and parked up at the top. Maybe there was a special fee or permit? By the time we reached the viewing areas it was really coming down and we were getting pushed around. Umbrellas were useless in the wind. It made it tough to see everything and a result had to cut our visit short since we were already soaked. The views we did manage to take in were quite amazing. The views here were much higher than The Cliffs of Moher and much less crowded. Hopefully will try to come back under better weather in the future.

This waterfall is beautiful and just a short walk from the car park entrance. Very easy to access…read morefor those who aren't as active! There are toilets at the car park, and plenty of parking. We opted to do the hike and we did the red trail (the hardest). It was a great workout but not too strenuous. A portion of the hike is about 45 minutes of stone stairs straight up. It was a dry day for us, but if it wasn't they would hand been slippery so wear proper footwear! We didn't realize the red trail doesn't take you to the very top with the view. So don't miss it like us! We believe it was a right turn down a path that wasn't as worn. We were bummed to miss the top but still enjoyed beautiful views along the way!

Torc Waterfall is a 20-meter (70-foot) high waterfall in Killarney National Park, where the…read moreOwengarriff River cascades down Torc Mountain. It was named after the Irish word for "boar," a local legend involves the warrior Finn McCool killing a mythical wild boar on the mountain. It was an easy maybe 4-10 minute walk from the parking (with restrooms) lot off the N71 Road. The path was well maintained and the lush green forest along the way projected and air of solitude. The map near the road shows other paths, with maybe one going to the top. The waterfall itself was pleasant and I did walk down to the water to get a closer look. It's impressive enough, but not quite what Gayle and I have experienced in the past back in the Sierra Nevada or even Iceland. And it's definitely worth a mental health stop.

It was an easy drive off the main Ring of Kerry road to get to the fort…read more It ended in a turnaround/parking lot. A bathroom was located here though it wasn't in very good shape. A push gate and voluntary admission box was the only gating items before walking towards the fort. There was limited information posted about this fort so most of what we did learn was via online searches. The fort itself was in very good condition and we were impressed with its construction. This dry walling method has withstood thousands of years in almost its original configuration. There were a couple of openings at the base of the wall that a person could duck inside. It was a bit larger than expected maybe used for storage or shelter but definitely warmer in here. Worth the drive out if you have the time. I thought this fort was more accessible versus the ring forts near Cahersiveen and cheaper than Caherconnel.

If you didn't know it was there, you would never stumble across Staigue Stone Fort. Which is a…read morereal shame, as it's considered one of the greatest examples of Iron Age fortresses still standing in all of Ireland. It's located approximately 4k off N70, the Ring of Kerry, after the town of Sneem and very near Castlecove. You pass through farm fields of sheep and cows as you jostle towards Staigue. And when it comes into view, it's breathtaking: huge, thick stone walls rise before you with rolling, imperfect tops that have been chiseled away over the nearly 2,500 years that Staigue Fort has been standing. You'll probably be alone on your visit to the Fort. Again, a shame, but also a wonderful and eerie way to enjoy your time there. Climbing up the "steps" to the top of the fort walls, you have 360 degree views of the surrounding, gorgeous Irish landscape. It's just amazing to be able to stand on the very stones that were laid by hands thousands of years ago, and amazing to see that the Fort has remained in such fabulous shape. An incredibly worthy visit when you're on the Ring, for sure.