Kerry
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
County Kerry is your real McCoy picture postcard country. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular, with dramatic mountain passes, crystal clear lakes, heather-dressed moorland and Atlantic sea views which seemingly stretch for an eternity.
The 110 mile Ring of Kerry offers all this and more, most notably the generously warm welcome of the Irish themselves at a host of eateries and hostelries that await discovery on what is a truly fantastic insidebikes route. However, there is a down side - you won’t be the first to discover the area’s charms. Killarney is a real tourist trap, its streets clogged in summer with tourist coaches and traditional pony-and-trap jaunting cars. But it’s not without its charms and, aside from the route, offers plenty to see and do.
It’s even worth joining the tourist hordes on a famous local excursion by taking a jaunting car up the Gap of Dunloe and returning by boat through MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. Insidebikes is indebted to Con O’Leary of Motofun Tours of Ireland for his expert advice. For organised motorcycle tours throughout Ireland contact him.
The Route
Kenmare - Sneem - Cahirsiveen - Glenbeigh - Killorglin - Killarney
Bikers are advised to travel clockwise around the Ring of Kerry, starting in Kenmare This avoids trailing the plethora of slow-moving tourist coaches who travel in an anti-clockwise direction. On leaving Kenmare, pick up the N70 for Sneem. The N70 is effectively the Ring of Kerry road (and is particularly well signposted) and opens with a winding coastal run through mountains, peaking at Coomanasig Pass overlooking Puffin Island, then descending through magnificent scenery towards Killarney.
The N70 will guide you through Waterville, Cahersiveen, Glenbeigh and Killorgin, where you then pick up the N72 into Killarney.
In Kenmare try the Bean & Leaf Cafe off Main Street. The Scariff Inn, about 10 miles west of Sneem on the coastal road, offers panoramic views of Derrynane Bay whilst a good half-way halt can be found at Brennan’s Bar & Restaurant on Main Street, Cahersiveen. At the end of the day The Lake Hotel, just outside Killarney on the N71 Kenmare Road offers an excellent and great value bar menu, good atmosphere and a beer garden - highly recommended!
Biker Beds
Ireland’s impressively warm welcome is happily extended to bikers. Contact the Irish Tourist Board’s Killarney office for details. In high season is it is highly advisable to book in advance.
Speed Traps
None reported. Ireland’s speed limits on national routes such as the N70 is 60mph, dropping to 30 or 40 mph in towns. The motorway limit is 70mph.
