The Iveragh Peninsula is the middle and largest of the three of Kerry's peninsulae. The peninsula enjoys very mild weather and as a result you can find sub-tropical plants here that would not survive in other parts of the country. The Iveragh peninsula is most famously known for its 176km looped drive called the Ring of Kerry Doing the route anti-clock wise is best for both scenery and as this is the main flow of traffic you wont meet much on coming traffic on the narrow winding roads. Take your time on the driving tour to enjoy the mountains, cliffs, sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and forests, there are also a number of viewing areas to pull in for a picturesque picture.
Towns and villages on The Ring of Kerry include Cahersiveen, Kenmare, Killarney, Killorglin, Sneem and Waterville. The Skellig Islands and Valentia Island lie off the coast.
Part of The Kerry Way, 230km of scenic marked walking route goes through the peninsula. There are also great hiking routes up the MacGillycuddy Reeks the highest mountain range in Ireland, its summit Carrauntoohil which is marked by a 5metre (16 feet) cross offers fantastic views over Kerry. To cross the mountain range you go through the Gap of Dunloe. If you'd like a jaunting car will take you from Kate Kearney's Cottage originally a coaching inn, through the gap.
TheIveraghPeninsula has a wide range of quality accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from hotels and bed & breakfasts to hostels and self catering accommodation. TheIveraghPeninsula has a nice variety of pubs which are well worth a visit on a warm summers evening or a cold winters one!.
For diners there are a selection of restaurants
There are a number of festivals on throughout the year you can catch on your tour of the Ring of Kerry. From a set dancing and music festival, children's festival to a King Scallop festival on the Island of Valentia. But the most famous festival is the Puck Fair, in Killorglin which is on 10-12 August. This pagan festival dating back 3,000 years always attracts large numbers, it is centred around the locals going up the mountains and capturing a wild goat which is then caged in the village centre for the duration of the festival and is crowned “King Puck”.