Kenmare, County Kerry: Day 6

Drive south to Kenmare (2 1/2 hours), nestled at the foot of the Cork and Kerry mountains in southwest Ireland, makes a good base for touring the sights in County Kerry. Depending on your mood, drive along the Ring of Kerry en route to your hotel in Kenmare or check in and start from there.

Where to Stay in Kenmare

• Besides magnificent seascapes, there are picturesque villages, ancient forts, Celtic standing stones and grand manors...

  Sheen Falls Lodge – Set above Sheen Falls and Kenmare Bay this lavish Relais & Chateaux manor features well-appointed rooms, a mahogany wood library and leather-trimmed bar

• Park Hotel Kenmare – This Victorian manse offers sweeping views over Kenmare Bay, luxuriously furnished rooms and inviting public spaces decorated with Flemish tapestries and marble fireplaces

Ring of Kerry – This fabulous drive will take an entire day and can be broken up with scenic hikes and interesting stops. We recommend going against the tour bus course and travel clockwise along this 170km (105mi) circular coastal route. Starting in Kenmare, drive down to the coast, around the Iveragh peninsula and inland to Killarney. Besides magnificent seascapes, there are picturesque villages, ancient forts, Celtic standing stones and grand manors. While it can get congested with tourists in the summer, it is still well worth the visit.

Some highlights:

• Staigue stone fort – Circular Iron Age fort outside Sneem

• Derrynane House – Former summer home of statesman Daniel O’Connell near Caherdaniel. The austere stone edifice is now a museum and the ruins of St Finian’s Abbey and Caherdaniel Fort are also on the grounds

• Hiking – Park and hike around Derrynane down into the fishing village of Portmagee

• Muckross House, Garden & Farms – 19^th century estate built for wealthy landowners located in Killarney National Park. Beautiful stone mansion, grounds and traditional farm

• Ross Castle – 15^th century castle also in the park, on the banks of Lough Leane (Lake of Learning).

• Ladies View – This dramatic panoramic viewpoint in the park was apparently given the name because Queen Victoria’s Ladies-in-Waiting were taken with the vista during an 1861 visit