The Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry Ireland

The Iveragh Peninsula is the other knarled finger of County Kerry jutting out into the wild Atlantic waves. The peninsula lies on the route known as the “Ring Of Kerry.” The 179Km road circuit winds its way through beautiful countryside, awesome mountains and the small villages and towns of The Iveragh Peninsula.

Although The Ring Of Kerry can be done in a day by car or the many coach trips that crawl “one-way” around the coastal road, the more time you take around it the more you will enjoy the trip. The stretch of road between Waterville and Caherdaniel in the south west of the peninsula is reason enough for coming here.

The Ballaghbeama gap cuts across the peninsulas central highlands with some spectacular views and remarkably little traffic. It is perfect for a long cycle.

Tour buses travel around the Iveragh Peninsula in an anti clockwise direction. In high season it is hard to know which is the more unpleasant- driving around behind them or travelling in the opposite direction and meeting them at blind corners.

Things get much quieter on the western end of the Iveragh Peninsula when you leave the Ring of Kerry for the Skellig Ring.

When I travel around Iveragh I always start off in Killarney and take the “Anti Clockwise route,” if I come across a line of tour buses I simply stop for a rest and take a view of the magnificent scenery.

Listed here are the places I visit:

Killorglin Glenbeigh Cahirciveen Caragh Lake Valentia Island Portmagee The Skelligs Waterville Ballinskelligs Caherdaniel Sneem Kenmare