Ireland

Ireland: the Ring of Kerry and the Aran Islands

A hundred-and-sixty-kilometre coastal route hugging Europe's south-western edge, then islands where Gaelic remains the everyday language

Ireland

Ireland: the Ring of Kerry and the Aran Islands

A journey far from the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren: the Ring of Kerry, a hundred-and-sixty-kilometre coastal route circling the Iveragh Peninsula between deserted beaches, mountains, and fishing villages, then the Aran Islands, three limestone islets at the mouth of Galway Bay where Gaelic remains the everyday language and where prehistoric stone forts such as Dún Aonghasa overlook sheer cliffs plunging directly into the Atlantic.

When

May to Sept

Price

From 2 300€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

6 nights

Ideal length

The Ring of Kerry

Days 1-2

The first chapter follows the Ring of Kerry, a hundred-and-sixty-kilometre coastal route circling the Iveragh Peninsula at Ireland's south-western tip, between deserted beaches swept by Atlantic winds, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountains rising over a thousand metres, and colourful fishing villages such as Portmagee. The route, popularised as early as the 19th century by British travellers seeking romantic vistas, offers a different ocean view at every turn, the deserted island of Skellig Michael visible in clear weather, and the remains of prehistoric settlements scattered along the coastline.

Day 1

A coastal drive to Portmagee

A scenic drive along the Ring of Kerry to the fishing village of Portmagee, a privileged viewpoint over the deserted monastic island of Skellig Michael.

Day 2

A hike in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks

A hike in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, a mountain range rising over a thousand metres and home to Ireland's highest peaks.

1 / 3

The Aran Islands, Guardians of Gaelic

Days 1-2

The road to the Aran Islands, three limestone islets at the mouth of Galway Bay where Gaelic remains, to this day, the language spoken daily by a majority of residents, a preserved linguistic status that makes the archipelago one of the last bastions of traditional Irish culture. The main island of Inishmore is home to Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric stone fort potentially dating to the Bronze Age, whose semi-circular walls overlook a sheer eighty-seven-metre cliff plunging directly into the Atlantic, with no modern safety barrier at all.

Day 1

Cycling through Inishmore's stone walls

A bike ride on Inishmore, through a maze of dry-stone walls that have marked out cultivated plots for centuries.