A Guide to Skellig Ring
Read our travel guide on Skellig Ring in Ireland. Includes best things to do and see, tips on where to stay, how to get, or when to go.
Skellig Ring is a scenic drive that encircles a wild and rugged stretch of Ireland's coastline and features some of the most beautiful scenery in County Kerry.
And we're not afraid to say that even in entire Ireland.
For those road-tripping the Wild Atlantic Way, Skellig Ring will most definitely be one of the highlights of this popular scenic drive.
One of the main reasons to visit Skellig Ring is that it lacks the crowds of the Ring of Kerry.
The rural roads in this remote part of Ireland are simply too narrow for the big tour buses, so finding a peaceful moment is never difficult here.
So even though the Ring of Kerry is one of Emerald Isle's top attractions that is crowded during the summer, this regional road is often far from busy. But there is more.
The edge of western Europe was not that long ago also popularized by the Star Wars movies.
So if you're a fan of Star Wars and want to explore the home of Jedis, traveling to a galaxy far, far away has never been easier.
Without any further ado, here's everything you should know about Skellig Ring before you go.
Best Things to See and Do
Despite its relatively small size and compactness, there are still plenty of things to do and see on Skellig Ring.
In summer, this area is especially popular with summer sports enthusiasts, while the road-trippers will enjoy the drive any time of the year.
To make this guide easy to follow, we listed the must-see places in the order in which we visited them.
Ballinskelligs
The small seaside village of Ballinskelligs is home to a Blue Flag Beach, beach castle ruins, and tranquil scenery.
It was our first stop on Skellig Ring and a perfect introduction to this area.
While the temperatures were far from ideal during our visit, and we didn't dare to swim in the shallow waters of Ballinskelligs Bay, we still had a great time there.
Walking barefoot along the sandy beach was fun, as was exploring the ruins of Ballinskelligs Castle and Ballinskelligs Priory.
Simply put, Ballinskelligs is one of those tiny places that make the Ireland road trip so memorable.
And even though we didn't get a chance to stay overnight in Ballinskelligs, we really enjoyed our time there.
St. Finian's Bay (Ba Fhionain)
Halfway into the journey from Ballinskelligs to Portmagee, we arrived at St. Finian's Bay, home to a lovely beach and a popular cafe serving delicious food.
If you have time, it's worth pulling over and stretching your legs there.
For some, St. Finian's Bay will be only a quick stop before rushing off to the next stop on Skellig Ring, while others will spend several hours here.
The beach is much smaller than the one in Ballinskelligs, but the views of the endless ocean are arguably even more breathtaking.
There is tiny parking near the beach, so finding a parking spot on a busy day may be a bit challenging on a busy summer day.
Undoubtedly, St. Finian's Bay is one of the best stops on the Skellig Ring.
Skelligs Chocolate Factory
There is one more reason to pull over at St. Finian's Bay.
This remote place is home to Skelligs Chocolate, and as the name suggests, this stop is all about the delicious tastes of the local chocolate.
You can join a free tasting tour and have the opportunity to buy chocolate after the tasting.
If you're visiting Skellig Ring on a rainy day or your tour to Skellig Michael got canceled, a trip to Skelligs Chocolate might sweeten your mood a bit.
As expected, Skelligs Chocolate is super popular with families with kids.
So if you're looking for a family-friendly activity on Skellig Ring, this might be a great place to stop by.
Coomanaspig Pass
A scenic viewpoint that lies at 300 meters between Ballinskelligs and Portmagee is hard to miss.
On your way from St. Finan's Bay to Kerry Cliffs, the road steeply climbs up to the pass, features several zig-zags, and slowly reveals breathtaking scenery along the way.
A fairly large parking area at the top offers views of both sides, so it's a perfect place to take a short break after a hair-raising drive.
On a clear day, you should be able to see rolling green pastures, the Atlantic Ocean, Valentia Island, and even Dingle Peninsula in the distance.
Mind you. The single-lane road is very narrow in this part of the Skellig Ring, and there is not much room to maneuver if you meet oncoming traffic.
Just drive slowly, and you should be fine.
If you're looking for similar scenic drives in Ireland, make sure to also include Healy Pass, Gap of Dunloe, or Old Military Road in your itinerary.
Kerry Cliffs
One of the highlights of every trip to Skellig Ring, the majestic Kerry Cliffs, will make your heart skip a beat.
Standing on the edge of Europe while watching the waves of the restless Atlantic Ocean crashing into the cliffs is an unforgettable experience.
If you've enjoyed Cliffs of Moher or Slieve League, the 200-meter Kerry Cliffs should be on your Skellig Ring itinerary.
There is a small admission, but it's well worth the money, even when traveling around Ireland on a budget.
With views beyond words, Kerry Cliffs are a must-see site when road-tripping Skellig Ring.
Portmagee
The seaside village of Portmagee quietly sits on the northern side of the Skellig Ring and is worth visiting for several reasons.
While the local smugglers led by Captain Magee are long gone, tourism has been booming here lately.
Most importantly, the local tour operators use the small port to bring tourists to Skellig Michael.
Additionally, the picturesque village has colorful houses, accommodations, and restaurants, making it a great stop for everyone while driving along the Skellig Ring.
Skellig Michael
When we mentioned Star Wars at the beginning of this blog post, some of you probably got really excited. And the hype was real.
There is probably not a better place to visit in Ireland for Star Wars fans than the stunning Skellig Michael.
Unfortunately, getting there is not easy, as we learned the hard way.
The landing tours were not yet running at the beginning of May (the exposed landing spots are only accessible during late spring, summer, and early autumn), and while we could have opted for the regular boat trips, we decided it was not worth it.
Hopefully, we'll get a chance to come back someday and visit Skellig Michael ourselves.
But it would be foolish to think that Skellig Islands (there are actually two islands) are only worth visiting for those strong with the Force.
The rugged rock rising almost 200 meters above sea level was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is home to an ancient monastic settlement that features two oratories, domed beehive huts, steep stairs, and a medieval church.
The islands are also popular with bird watchers, as it's easy to spot puffins and gannets there.
Valentia Island
Honestly, there is no better way to start or finish your journey than Valentia Island.
While following the R565 from Portmagee all the way to Cahersiveen was the more sensible choice, we couldn't resist making a short detour to this remote island.
A road bridge connects Portmagee with Valentia Island in the south, and a ferry service runs between Knightstown and Reenard Point in the east.
The local ferry runs frequently, and even though the ride is short, it's well worth it.
There are plenty of things to see and do on Valentia Island, especially if you're interested in history and beautiful nature.
Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs and Bray Head offer epic views, great trails, and stunning landscapes.
Valentia Transatlantic Cable Station tells the story of modern communication, while Tetrapod Trackway will send you 300 million years back in time.
You can also visit the Valentia Lighthouse, Valentia Island Skellig Experience Museum, or Slate Quarry.
Simply put, Valentia island is a fantastic place to explore.
How Much Time Do I Need
Even though it takes only an hour to drive around the Skellig Ring, you should take into account that every visit is highly individual.
We suggest allowing yourself at least three to four hours for the top attractions along the Skellig Ring.
This amount of time will allow you to explore Kerry Cliffs, Ballinskelligs Beach, and Portmagee in a relatively relaxed manner.
We can't fail to mention that Skellig Ring is a perfect area to end (and start) your day.
If you're beginning your journey in Killarney National Park, consider staying overnight here to get the most out of your trip.
When to Go
The good news is that Skellig Ring can be visited all year round.
Although every season has pros and cons, late spring, summer, and early autumn are considered the best time to visit Skellig Ring.
We visited Skellig Ring in May, and there were not many tourists around during this period.
Well, even the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula were still pretty quiet, but that's another story.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
What to Pack
Due to its coastal location, Skellig Ring is known for harsh and changeable weather conditions.
For starters, make sure to have a good windproof rain jacket with you.
It will come in handy not just here but pretty much in every part of Ireland.
Seriously, whether you want to explore Mizen Head or Burren National Park, this item should be on your Ireland packing list.
We usually keep them in our daypack, even on sunny days, just in case.
Alternatively, bring a windbreaker to ward off the sea breeze and stay warm.
How to Get There
There are many ways to reach Skellig Ring. Despite the name, Skellig Ring is technically an 18-kilometer route along the R566 connecting Ballinskelligs and Portmagee.
However, the starting points are usually considered Waterville or Cahersiveen, depending on whether you travel around the Ring of Kerry clockwise or counterclockwise.
Car
Without any doubt, the best way to get to Skellig Ring is by car.
Skellig Ring is about 80 kilometers west of Killarney, but the journey takes several hours as there are many wonderful stops along the way.
Limerick is about 170 kilometers northeast of the Skellig Ring, while Cork is 170 kilometers southeast of here.
The journey takes about five hours from Dublin.
The roads are narrow in Ireland, so drive carefully.
Before you go, make sure to read our guides on driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Bike
Active travelers can explore Skellig Ring on a bike. You can rent bikes in Cahersiveen, and Skellig Ring is not the only route you will find in this area.
For instance, you can also explore the area north of the village that features beaches and stone forts such as Cahergall or head west to Valentia Island, which you can easily combine with Skellig Ring.
Public Transport
While bus service does exist here, it's far from convenient, and only a fraction of travelers opt for this mode of transport.
Tours
Organized trips are perfect for travelers who don't want to arrange their transport or plan itinerary.
Here you can reserve the Ring of Kerry Tour, which also includes the Skellig Ring.
Where to Stay
There are only a few small hotels on Skellig Ring, but you will find plenty of charming bed and breakfasts and family-owned guesthouses here.
If you want to stay in luxury resorts, you need to look elsewhere.
But this lack of development is that's what makes the Skellig Ring experience unique and why we can only recommend finding a place to stay overnight in this area.
Here are some of the best hotels on Skellig Ring.
Ballinskelligs | The Skellig Lodge and Hostel - Whether you travel on a budget or not, The Skellig Lodge and Hostel is a great base for exploring Skellig Ring. This affordable hostel overlooks the sea and offers a fantastic location, basic but clean rooms, a fully-equipped shared kitchen, and a homey atmosphere.
Waterville | Butler Arms Hotel - Butler Arms Hotel has spacious rooms with stunning ocean views, friendly staff, a seafood restaurant, and free parking.
Portmagee | The Moorings Hotel - Situated in the heart of Portmagee, the Moorings Hotel offers great value for your money, a seafood restaurant, and a lovely harbor location close to everything.
Staying Safe
Skellig Ring is a very safe place to visit, but you should still use common sense to avoid unpleasant situations.
In this part of Ireland, crime is very low, but you should still never leave your valuables in your car.
In fact, one of our best travel tips is to limit what you bring for your vacation to have a stress-free trip.
The main roads are not as narrow as on Sheep's Head Peninsula, but you should still exercise caution when driving there.
Without any surprise, unpredictable weather presents the biggest challenge for your safety.
Always make sure to come prepared. When visiting the cliffs, always stay on the designated trails.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Skellig Ring Worth Visiting?
Whether you're short on time or have several days to explore, Skellig Ring is definitely worth visiting.
As we already mentioned, it's super easy to get there, especially if you have your own transport, and the scenery is beyond breathtaking.
For those who already incorporated the Ring of Kerry in their Ireland road trip itinerary, it only makes sense to include this extension as well.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
