Skellig Ring Full Day or Half Day Tour
The entire Skellig Coast is inspiring and energising. The coastal route can take you off down narrow lanes and through tiny ports and villages. You may find yourself climbing steep cliff roads, steeling yourself and be wind-swept above crashing seas, or strolling along a wide sandy beach. The Skellig Ring Tour is a real hidden gem and covers around 32km. This includes Ballinskelligs, St Finian’s Bay, Portmagee and Valentia Island.
After leaving Waterville the tour heads west off the N70 and links back up with The Ring of Kerry Road south of Caherciveen. Ballinskelligs is the first destination with a lovely Blue Flag beach and many historical landmarks including Ballinskelligs Castle. From here onwards the truly breathtaking landscape begins to unfold.
The long and winding road takes you up and down mountains with the Atlantic Ocean clearly seen. You will enter St Finian’s Bay known locally as
The Glen with a beautiful beach, ideal for surfers. Nearby is The Skelligs Chocolate Factory, an ideal way to start your day with a sample of handmade Irish chocolates and a cup of Tea/ Coffee.
The tour then takes in the beautiful Coomanaspig pass with the adventurous ascent and descent giving you panoramic views of Valentia Island and Dingle clear to be seen from the top of the peak.
The Kerry Cliffs is then a must see as a stop along the way. This destination is a rugged 1,000ft-high cliffs known for walking, bird life and a panoramic view of Skellig Michael and The Puffin Islands.
From here, it is off to the lovely fishing village of Portmagee where seafood bars and cafes are available if one is in need of refreshments. A boat trip from Portmagee to the famous Skelligs Islands can be arranged and pre-booking is essential. From the fishing village of Portmagee, cross over the bridge to Valentia Island, one of Ireland’s most westerly points and filled with many places of interest.
The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre is the first stop, and this outlet tells the story of the famous Skellig Rock which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. A film presentation, gift shop and restaurant is a must to break up your trip.
Our trip then takes in the site where the first permanent communications link between Europe and North America took place in 1866, The Transatlantic Telegraph Cables.
Geokaun Mountain is the highest mountain on the Island and Fogher Cliffs with sea cliffs of 180 metres are definite inclusions on the Tour. The Slate Quarry and Grotto overlooking the wild Atlantic Ocean were first opened in 1816 and today the quarry exports slate all over the world. Glanleam House amid sub-tropical gardens is close by as is Valentia Lighthouse Visitor Centre. The Island has two villages, Knightstown and Chapeltown where food, drinks and other amenities are always available.
The return trip back to Waterville takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Ring of Kerry Full Day Tour
The Ring of Kerry full day tour covers 180km – guests will experience one of the most famous coastal route and experience outstanding views.
Our adventure starts in Waterville and our first visit takes us on The Coomikista Pass, a very scenic area to make a quick stop and enjoy the outstanding views. Nearby is Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’ Connell, a layer, politician and one of the great figures in Irish history After the village of Sneem, the route continues on to Kenmare or a left road can be taken to see the wild and rugged views from ‘’ Lady’s View’’ 19km from Killarney.
The Torc waterfall is a lovely 200 metre walk from the car park and takes about 15/20 minutes to complete. Close at hand is The Killarney National Park, home to Muckross House and Gardens and The Lakes of Killarney. It covers an impressive 10,200 hectares. The town of Killarney is only 10 minutes away and we advise a break for maybe a spot of lunch or some shopping.
Upon leaving Killarney we take in Killorglin town and hear about the ‘’ Famous Puck Fair’’ which takes place every year on August 10, 11 and 12. The Lovely village of Glenbeigh is next and is a wonderful place to relax. Kells Bay Gardens is an exciting place to visit and it includes ‘’The SkyWalk’’ Ireland’s longest rope bridge.
Our next big town is Caherciveen, home to The Daniel O’ Connell Church (The only church in Ireland named after a lay person). This town has many Bars, Shops and Restaurant’s.
From here back to Waterville takes about 20 minutes to complete
.
Dingle Peninsula Full Day Tour
In all Ireland there is no place with such a wealth of historical monuments, Gaelic culture and literature found on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. The mountains that backbone the peninsula from Sliabh Mish to Brandon are lofty, brooding, and punctuated with megaliths – the breathtaking Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland. The coast is a marvellous chain of sandy beaches — many of them, as at Castlegregory, Inch and Ventry, devoted to aquatic sports — interrupted in the west by cliffs and deep coves. The area north and west of Dingle (An Daingean) is a veritable open-air museum, full of ancient sites. This area is also the Gaeltacht (official Irish-speaking region).
This is a full day trip and takes just under two hours to travel and is almost 100km. It’s a very scenic route with Inch Beach a very popular destination.
Dingle town and the Dingle peninsula is one of the most visited places in Ireland. There are some many things to do in the town including a visit to the many Bars, Restaurants and gift shops. Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium is home to many penguins, otters and sharks. Nearby is The Marina with many different Boat trips available. By road the most popular routes are The Slea Head Loop, and The Conor Pass,
For years Dingle has been chosen as the destination for many productions of well-known films.
Ryan’s Daughter 1970,
Far and Away 1992 and
Star Wars ‘The Last Jedi’ 2017.
A trip to Dingle is an experience not to be missed.
Scenic Heli Tours
Our Helicopters offer the pinnacle of luxury aviation, offering cutting-edge technology, and premium comfort for elite travellers. These helicopters cater to aviation enthusiasts who demand the best in aerial mobility.
Take to the skies on a Hogs Head helicopter for a 30 or 60-minute Scenic Tour of the South Kerry Area. Hogs Head Transportation offers Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula Heli Tours, each Heli tour will take in the stunning views of the Kerry Coastline.
While on the Ring of Kerry Scenic Tour, you will enjoy vistas of the magnificent lakes situated in the Killarney National Park, marvel at this scenic tourist attraction from the blue skies above before returning.
Don't forget to capture the views on your camera so you can share the experience.
