Why the Amazing Skellig Ring Needs to Be on Your Ireland Itinerary
The Skellig Ring is a must if you are driving the Ring of Kerry in Ireland.
What is the Skellig Ring?
And where exactly is this?
Let’s dive in and find out all about this awesome part of Ireland.
Where is and — more importantly — what is Skellig Ring?
So Skellig Ring is basically an extension of the Ring of Kerry which is located in County Kerry.
Many of you may already be familiar with the Ring of Kerry — a 179km driving route around the Iveragh Peninsula.
Skellig Ring is simply an offshoot of this famous drive.
But — and this is the best part — it’s a wee road so no motor coaches are able to drive it.
The N70, the Ring of Kerry road, is wide enough for motor coaches and this route can be loaded with the big busses.
Once you veer off of the N70 onto the Skellig Ring road, you will leave the motor coaches behind.
Bye bye big motor coaches.
Hello bliss!
What is there to see on Skellig Ring?
For a short route of just 32km, Skellig Ring packs a big punch.
I’m going to start at the end by Waterville, so this makes it a clockwise drive.
Ready?
Ballinskelligs Castle and Abbey ruins
Admittedly, I didn’t visit either of these, but I’m wishing I did.
I love ruins!
And that’s what these 2 sites — just a couple minutes apart —are.
Ruins.
They happen to sit along the sea so the location is fab!
If you love exploring crumbling places and imagining what they looked like in their prime, then don’t miss Ballinskelligs Castle and Abbey.
Skelligs Chocolate
I love chocolate.
And one of the best things to do on Skellig Ring is to visit the Skelligs Chocolate factory and store.
Yes, you get free tastes.
Yum!
Their chocolate is delicious.
And you can watch them make it.
You can buy chocolate of all kinds for gifts — or for yourself.
They make truffles, chocolate bars, clusters, shards and even hot chocolate.
There is also a cafe where you can have some treats.
Note: It is not a cafe that serves lunch food.
Skelligs Chocolate is a family run business, but it’s a good-sized operation.
Not large like Willy Wonka, but a bit bigger than I thought it would be.
It’s free to enter and there is no organized tour.
You are simply free to wander about, watch them make chocolate and ask any questions you may have.
And of course, taste anything.
Don’t miss Skelligs Chocolate.
It’s the tastiest part of the drive for sure.
St Finian’s Beach and Bay
And right next to Skelligs Chocolate is St Finian’s Beach with its lovely bay.
This is a must for your trip around Skellig Ring as you get views to the Skellig Islands — Skellig Michael (of Star Wars fame) and Little Skellig.
The beach is definitely a fabulous stop and, on a good weather day, would be a wonderful spot to have a picnic lunch topping it off with a few treats from Skelligs Chocolate.
Supposedly, it’s a good surfing spot as well.
I love Irish beaches.
Between St Finian’s and Kerry Cliffs
The drive on Skellig Ring is so much fun — and incredibly picturesque — from St Finian’s Bay to the Kerry Cliffs.
It’s a wee road that has a few switchbacks but when you get to the top there is a viewpoint parking area.
The views from here are stunning in every direction.
Out to the sea and the Skellig Islands, over toward Valentia Island (and other islands out in the sea) and inland toward the mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula (the Ring of Kerry).
I was so fortunate to have good weather for my Skellig Ring drive.
Do be sure to stop and drink in these amazing views.
Kerry Cliffs
The Kerry Cliffs are not the Cliffs of Moher or Slieve League or the Cliffs of Kilkee.
But they are a worthy stop along the Skellig Ring road.
It does cost a few euro to visit.
However, I think it’s worth it and they do a nice job of maintaining the paths and viewpoint areas.
The cliffs themselves are beautiful and impressive.
Again, not as swoon worthy as some other cliffs in Ireland.
But the Kerry Cliffs are certainly not a waste of time.
So do be sure to set aside some time for the cliffs on your Skellig Ring drive.
Portmagee
I wish I had not simply driven through this little village but had actually stopped and walked around a bit.
Portmagee is the main town of the Skellig Ring.
It’s a cute and colorful village along the sea and it’s the ferry port for boats touring to the Skellig Islands.
If you want to spend a night or 2 on the Ring of Kerry, Portmagee would be a good choice as it does have any array of places to stay and eat.
Valentia Island
This is a bit of an extra because technically it’s not on Skellig Ring.
So it’s a bonus place to visit if you have the time.
From Portmagee there is a bridge joining the mainland to Valentia Island.
I truly wish I had taken the time to explore it as I here it is awesome with more sea cliffs (and views), more ruins and some good paths for walking and hiking.
So if you have the time I highly recommend adding Valentia Island onto your Skellig Ring experience.
Final thoughts on Skellig Ring
I think I enjoyed this part of the Ring of Kerry more than a lot of the rest of the 179km drive.
While I did find the area between Derrynane and Waterville to be beautiful, Skellig Ring is truly my favorite.
And so many people don’t see this little piece.
I get it as some folks are going to take the motor coach tour.
And the motor coaches can’t do Skellig Ring.
But if you can do this little extra ring, do it!
And then tell me all about it.
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If you do decide to travel internationally, please do your research or use a travel planning service such as Wander Your Way. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC.
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I think you had me at FREE chocolate tasting. The beach looks fantastic as well.
The Chocolate was definitely a big hit for me!
Wow these are some pretty impressive stops – I can’t believe I’ve never heard of them, so glad I chanced upon your post!
Skellig Ring is quite impressive.
II travelled to Ireland several years ago, but I cannot remember visiting Skellig Ring. Now, I have a solid reason to go back 🙂 I’ll pin it for later and use your article as an inspiration for my next trip to Ireland.
It’s definitely worthy of a visit
Love this guide to Skellig Ring in Ireland! So many beautiful stops!
Yes there are. All worthy of time for sure.
We drove through this area of Ireland as part of a coach tour, but we obviously weren’t able to stop and take a proper look at the different points of interests. I can’t wait to go back and explore Skellig Ring!
Yes, well you wouldn’t have even been on Skellig Ring in a motor coach. So you’ll need to go back!
I was sold at road trip, ruins and chocolate! What an incredible trip! The landscapes look absolutely incredible! The cliffs and beaches look so dramatic! I’d definitely love to visit Skellig ring in person and take in all of the views! Thanks for the great guide!
It’s definitely a must for adding onto the Ring of Kerry. Best part, in my opinion.