Ring of Kerry & Valentia Island – Private Tour

Overview

This self-guided add-on option starts at the Bray Head car park on Valentia Island. Your bus will drop you off and you take an uneven pathway to the top of Bray Head to explore one of Ireland’s most westerly and spectacular points that sits right on the edge of the wild Atlantic Ocean.

It is an uneven pathway with spectacular views of the Skellig Islands, the Kerry coast and the Wild Atlantic Way along the way. When you arrive at the end of the pathway you will discover Bray Head Tower, a two-storey abandoned signal tower built by English forces in 1815 during the Napoleonic wars and used as a signal station along with several other Martello towers located all along the Ireland coast. It was designed like a 16th century Irish tower house with a chimney and is surrounded by a stone wall.

Once here, explore and unearth this unique setting’s wondrous ecological beauty, historical importance and maybe even get a glimpse of the spectacular and inspiring Skellig Islands. Then make your way back down to the car park to be collect by your Wild N Happy Bus and into Portmagee for a bit to eat before continuing your journey around the spectacular Ring of Kerry

Highlights

1. Discover the majestic setting of the Skellig Ring
2. Cast your eyes over the wondrous Skellig Islands
3. Experience unique cultural delights and ecological wonders
4. Explore the spectacular Bray Head on Valentia Island
5. Visit vibrant towns and coastal villages

Itinerary

11:15 am: Bus Departure from Skellig Experience Centre

11:30 am: Start walk at Bray Head Car Park

12:10 pm: Arrive and explore Bray Head Tower

12:45 pm: Start walk back to Bray Head Car Park for collection

1:15 pm: Bus Departure from Bray Head Car Park to Portmagee

1:30 pm: Arrive in Portmagee and have lunch

3:00 pm: Bus departs Portmagee to continue Ring of Kerry Tour

1. Explore the Skellig Islands by boat
2. Learn about their incredible history
3. Discover their unique wildlife
4. See where Stars Wars, The Force Awakens was filmed 
5. Experience the edge of the world

* available from April to September

Bus Departure for The Ring of Kerry from Killarney  

Killorglin, home to the ancient Celtic festival Puck Fair, is our first encounter along the beautiful Ring of Kerry. One of the oldest festivals in the world that dates back to 1613 and is always held in August. It’s uniqueness lies in the crowning of a goat as the king of the village for the duration of the festival. People from all corners of the world to pay homage to the king goat and experience its lively street markets, music, and, as we say, the craic (fun).

We make a stop at the spectacular setting of Mountain Stage which overlooks the wide-open views of Dingle Bay, Rossbeigh, and Inch beach. We will explain its unique geological formation, the cultural impact of the old railway line, and its diverse flora and fauna.

Cahersiveen is the birth place of Ireland’s Liberator, Daniel O’Connell. In the centre of the town lies a church that is named after Daniel and is uniquely Ireland’s only church that is not named after a saint – well in our eyes he is a saint!

We will take you on an incredible tour of the spectacular Valentia Island where you can delve into its incredible history and heritage, explore its magical setting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and if you are lucky get a glimpse (weather permitting) of the dramatic Skellig Islands (of Star Wars fame).
The island is situated off the South West coast of Kerry and is connected to the mainland by a bridge at Portmagee or you can take a ferry from Reen point. The island is renowned for its great beauty, ecological wonders, and historical importance, such as  Vikings ports, the first TransAtlantic cable, and learn why Westminster Abbey is so closely connected to this intriguing island.

Our tour departs from Portmagee and we slowly make our way back to Killarney stopping off at many spectacular viewing points to learn of their historical importance and the opportunity to take that picture that will ensure an everlasting memory of paradise.

Waterville is a picturesque little village overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay with its own beautiful beach, home to one of Ireland’s finest golf clubs and most famed footballer Mick O’Dwyer. It is also known by a much-loved visitor, Charlie Chaplin. There is a statue in his honor, unveiled in 1998, and we will tell the remarkable story of how Charlie arrived in Waterville.

Following on from Waterville, we next arrive at Coomakista (in Gaelic – Com an chiste). This majestic viewing point sits 215 metres (700ft) above the sea and offers panoramic views over Kenmare River, Abbey Island, Deenish Island and Scariff Island. There are also views of Waterville village and an ancient stone fort that dates back to early Christian times around the 9th Century. It would have been built as a defended farmstead and the circular outer walls are over 2 metres high. The inner part is made up of a large round house and a smaller rectangular house.  

We take a stop in the charming village of Sneem. This is one of Ireland’s most colorful and charming villages. With two squares and a beautiful bridge in the middle of the village, this is where the River Sneem meets the currents of Kenmare Bay. It was also the regular holiday choice or Charles de Gaulle.  

One of the most beautiful and admired national parks in the world, Killarney national park was the first of its kind established in Ireland in 1932. With magnificent views of the Lakes of Killarney and Black Valley, the park gives you an opportunity to enjoy a walk in this amazing landscape and spend time strolling along the lakes.  

We make our way through Killarney National Park towards Killarney, where we will say our fond farewells. We really hope you have had an amazing time exploring the Ring of Kerry and its most unique destinations. Remember Ireland is now forever your home away from home.