Cruising Ireland’s West Coast

Cruising Ireland's West Coast // Nattie on the Road

On one of the days in between hiking and biking Rob and I jumped in our little rental car and headed out for a little roadtrip down the west coast of Ireland.

That phrase, “west coast, best coast” usually applies to California, but I think it applies to Ireland too. The dramatic cliffs and bright blue ocean make for some pretty awesome scenery.

THE RING OF KERRY

The Ring of Kerry is basically a road that goes in a circle around the Iveragh Peninsula of County Kerry in the south west corner of Ireland. We drove it counter clockwise, starting in Killorglin, and ending at Killarney National Park. This also coincidentally (or not), is the opposite way that the tour buses go, so we never got stuck behind a slow moving bus.

Always checking out the views // Nattie on the Road

Beaches of Ireland // Nattie on the Road

Explore Ireland's West Coast // Nattie on the Road

SKELLIG RING

We took a little detour off the Ring of Kerry near the tip of the peninsula, to drive around the Skellig Ring. We stopped for lunch in the little town of Portmagee, and had some awesome seafood, and walked around a little bit.

Little colored houses in Portmagee, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

Fisherman's Bar, Portmagee // Nattie on the Road

Little lighthouse - Portmagee, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

CLIFFS OF KERRY

As you leave Portmagee you’ll see signs for the  Kerry Cliffs, there’s a 4 euro charge to go in and park, but it’s worth it for the views. From the cliff side you’ll be able to see the Skellig Islands, and for all you nerds out there, that’s the island at the end of the new Star Wars movie. The Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but you can take boats out there from Portmagee, but I don’t think you can actually get on any of the islands.

Cliffs of Kerry, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

The Skellig Islands, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

Cliffs of Kerry, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

Get out and see the world // Nattie on the Road

Cliffs of Kerry, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

Explore Ireland's west coast, Cliffs of Kerry // Nattie on the Road

KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

At the end of our loop around the peninsula we drove through Killarney National Park. We did hop out of the car to take a look around and check out the views though.

Get out of the car, check out the view // Nattie on the Road

Killarney National Park, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

This is my explorer face // Nattie on the Road

CLIFFS OF MOHER

Heading north from the Ring of Kerry we decided to stop at the Cliffs of Moher. It was pretty late by the time we got there, the visitors center was closed as was everything around it. I think you are supposed to pay a little fee like at the Cliffs of Kerry, but since there was no one around we just kind of walked in. It was really cold and raining so I was not stoked to get out of the car, but after some coaxing Rob got me out to go see the cliffs, and hopefully a sunset. It was the solstice, so it was kind of cool being in such an epic place on the longest day of the year. No dice with the sunset though, too many clouds, and I suspect not enough smog (why else do you think SoCal has such beautiful sunsets?).

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland // Nattie on the Road

That look, when it starts raining while you're trying to sight see // Nattie on the Road

10 comments

10 thoughts on “Cruising Ireland’s West Coast

  1. Pingback: 4 Best Ways to Experience Ireland - Nattie on the Road

  2. Kana

    The Fisherman’s Bar looks SO adorable – did you go in? All the pictures look so gorgeous! Random but I love your orange jacket too! Thanks so much for joining #FlyAwayFriday – we appreciate it so much! Hope to see you next week! xo

    Reply
    1. nattiekaf Post author

      The Fishermans Bar was really cute, I had lunch there, some of the best sea food I’ve ever had! Thanks!

      Reply
    1. nattiekaf Post author

      Thats awesome! Its so beautiful, definitely take a little detour onto the Skellig Ring out to Portmagee. The tour busses don’t go out there making it a bit mellower and the views are awesome!

      Reply
  3. Chloe

    Omg such beautiful pictures!! Ireland is just so dreamy!! Thank you again for joining #FlyAwayFriday!! Were so happy to have you and cant wait for all the fun post! Xo Chloe

    Reply
  4. Pingback: 10 Things I Love About Ireland - Nattie on the Road

  5. Pingback: Packing for 2 Weeks in Ireland - Nattie on the Road

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