10 Reasons Why the Ring of Kerry Deserves an Extra Day on Your Irish Itinerary

More than just a scenic drive, South Kerry invites you to slow down, linger, and look a little closer.

The Ring of Kerry might be one of Ireland’s most iconic routes, but rushing through it in a single day is a bit like flicking through a novel and claiming you’ve read the whole thing. South Kerry, in particular, deserves more time. So before you pack up and head for Dingle or Galway, here are ten reasons to stay just one more day - and maybe even another after that.

1. Visit Derrynane House and Beach

Set against white sand and Atlantic blue, Derrynane House was once the home of Daniel O’Connell, known as The founder of the Irish Republic!. The house itself is a quiet marvel - modest in scale but rich in political history, with personal artefacts and handwritten letters on display. Afterwards, follow the wooded trails down to Derrynane Beach, one of the most beautiful (and least spoiled) in Ireland. At low tide you can also trek across to Abbey Island and see the church ruins once inhabited by reclusive monks. 

2. Explore the Kerry Cliffs

Often overshadowed by their northern cousins in Clare, the Kerry Cliffs rise to over 1,000 feet and offer panoramic views of the Skellig Islands, Puffin Island, and beyond. You won’t find crowds here, just the wind, the sea, and that exhilarating feeling of standing at the edge of the world. The cliffs are privately run (entry is €5), and the path is well-kept, making it one of the best-value experiences on the peninsula.

3. Take the Boat to Skellig Michael

If conditions allow and boats are running, an extra day gives you the time you need to make the Skellig Michael trip a reality. The boat crossing takes around 45 minutes, followed by a (thankfully optional) climb of 600 steps up to the 6th-century beehive monastic site - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a surreal cinematic landscape for Star Wars fans. It’s considered to be a one-in-a lifetime trip, this ‘otherworldly’ landscape that juts ruthlessly from the ocean. Make sure you wear appropriate hiking shoes and leave behind your fear of heights.  It’s almost unimaginable how monks lived secluded and self-sufficient lives on these rugged outcrops, in the barest of beehive huts from the 6^th to the 12^th century. 

4. Walk the Kerry Way (Even Just a Little)

You don’t need to be a long-distance hiker to enjoy the Kerry Way, a looped walking trail that hugs much of the peninsula. A short section between Caherdaniel and Waterville offers a gentle uphill climb and stunning views of the coast, with sheep for company and barely another soul in sight. It’s considered by many a hiker to be the most beautiful section of the Kerry Way. Bring water, walking boots, and no agenda. 

5. Step Into Stone-Age Kerry

South Kerry is scattered with Iron Age ring forts, Ogham stones, and ancient burial sites, many of them quietly resting in open fields, without signage or fanfare. Sites like Staigue Fort, thought to date back to around 300–400 AD, are open to the public and totally free to explore. Standing inside those thick stone walls, you can almost feel the timeline folding in on itself.

6. Spend a Night Under the Stars at Tobervilla House

An extra day on the Ring of Kerry is only as good as the place you spend it, and Tobervilla House makes a compelling case to stay put. Located just outside Caherdaniel, this immaculately restored 17th-century home blends the quiet grandeur of a country estate with the comfort and ease of a boutique stay. For generations, it was known as the Westcove Hotel, a trusted stop for travellers and locals. Today, that spirit of hospitality continues, elevated by a restoration that has given the property new life while keeping its historic character intact.

Rooms are individually styled, and there's a huge variety, giving you the chance to tailor your perfect stay. The interiors mix period elegance with comfort that feels completely current. Rooms feature antique furnishings, heritage-style décor, and expansive windows, while the 6ft long beds are layered in Egyptian cotton with pillow-top mattresses that practically insist you sleep in.

But Tobervilla’s most quietly spectacular feature? Its location under one of the world’s only Gold Tier Dark Sky Reserves. That means the night sky here is part of the experience. Guests have unlimited access to the outdoor saltwater hot tub, where they can float beneath constellations, a drink in hand from the honesty bar with nothing but silence and stars overhead.

It’s peaceful, personal, and incredibly well considered, from the gym studio for stretching out road-weary limbs, the relaxed ‘Vitality’ breakfast served each morning on vintage platters in the dining room, and the cosy lounge ready to welcome you back from a day of exploring.

One night here feels like a full reset. And once you’re in the water, looking up at a sky that hasn't changed in centuries, you'll understand exactly why Tobervilla deserves a place on your itinerary - not as a stopover, but as a destination in its own right.

7. Play a Round at Waterville Golf Links

If you’re even remotely tempted by golf, Waterville Golf Links is worth carving out a few hours for. Regularly ranked among the top courses in the world, it combines windswept dunes with championship-level design. But even if you’re just walking the course or watching from the clubhouse, the setting alone makes it an experience worth stretching your itinerary for.

8.  Discover the Story of the First Transatlantic Connection at Valentia Island

South Kerry isn’t just rich in natural beauty - it has played a quietly monumental role in global history. At the Valentia Island Visitor Centre, you’ll uncover the remarkable story of how a remote corner of Ireland became the starting point for the world’s first successful transatlantic telegraph cable.

In 1866, a deep-sea cable was laid between Valentia Island and Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, connecting Europe and North America for the first time in history. Messages that once took weeks by ship could suddenly be sent in minutes. The island’s cliffs became the frontier of global communication, and the story of that ambitious engineering feat still stirs something today.

The visitor centre brings it to life through interactive exhibits, original equipment, and personal accounts, while the surrounding scenery reminds you just how far this little corner of Kerry has reached. It’s an essential stop for anyone interested in Irish innovation, hidden history, or just seeing a story that changed the world, right where it happened.

9. Visit Skelligs Chocolate Factory with a View of the Sea

Skelligs Chocolate Factory, located just outside Ballinskelligs, is Ireland’s only fully open-plan chocolate production facility, meaning you can watch the entire process, from melting to moulding, as you sample your way through the shelves.

Family-run and proudly rooted in the local community, the factory makes small-batch, ethically sourced chocolate with creative Irish twists, like sea salt caramels, gin truffles, and even Skelligs-style hot chocolate you can take home in a tin. But it’s the setting that really elevates the experience: perched on a hillside with views out to the Atlantic, the shop looks directly toward Skellig Michael and Puffin Island on a clear day.

It’s a stop that appeals to every age, whether you’re touring with kids, friends, or just your sweet tooth. Plus, they give generous samples...

10. Simply... Sit Still

One of the great luxuries of an extra day on the Ring of Kerry? You don’t have to do anything. No lists, no timelines. Just sit with a book, walk a road with no particular end, or watch the sky shift over the mountains. In a place this beautiful, stillness feels like participation. Give yourself permission to do nothing, and see how much it actually gives back.

Go slowly. Stay longer. Let the landscape do the rest!