The Skellig Ring is the road the tour buses can't take - too narrow for coaches, which keeps it gloriously quiet. It runs out to the most westerly tip of the Iveragh Peninsula, past dramatic cliffs and remote beaches to the harbour villages that launch the boats to Skellig Michael, the island monastery made famous by Star Wars.
Let me narrate this breathtaking little journey, guided in harmony with the views and carried along by traditional music, tales of old and a pirate story or two. Plan it here for free, then drive it with the app on the road.
Hear the full story in the app
Narrated by a traditional storyteller and triggered automatically as you drive. Download on the App Store →
How to drive it
Pick up the Skellig Ring at Portmagee or off the Ring of Kerry near Waterville, and choose the Northbound or Southbound version in the app to suit your direction. The roads are narrow and steep over the Coomanaspic pass - take it slowly and enjoy every turn. It pairs perfectly with the Ring of Kerry for a full day.
Stops along the route
These are the places the tour guides you past, in order. The stories are timed to play as you reach each one.
Ballinskelligs
A Gaeltacht village with a Blue Flag beach, a ruined priory and a McCarthy tower house on the strand.
Skellig Viewpoint
The famous telescope view out to Skellig Michael, the monks' rock and a Star Wars filming location.
St Finian's Bay
A surf beach in a green bowl of hills, with a chocolate factory looking out over the sand.
Coomanaspic Pass
A hair-raising mountain pass with sweeping views over Portmagee, Valentia and the open Atlantic.
Kerry Cliffs
Among the highest and most dramatic cliffs in Kerry, with the Skellig Islands framed beyond.
Portmagee
A single bright row of houses along the pier, where the Skellig boats and the local trad sessions begin.
Available in the app
Choose the version that fits your drive — every tour is GPS-triggered, so the stories play in the right order whichever way you head.
Skellig Ring - Northbound
Skellig Ring - Southbound
Driving the full circuit? The Skellig Ring also comes bundled with the Ring of Kerry in the extended Northbound and Southbound tours.
Common questions
How long does the Skellig Ring take to drive?
The Skellig Ring is a short loop of about 30 km and the audio tour runs around 40 minutes, though you will want longer to stop at the cliffs and viewpoints. It pairs perfectly with the Ring of Kerry for a full day.
Can you see Skellig Michael from the Skellig Ring?
Yes. There are several viewpoints, including the famous telescope point, looking out to Skellig Michael, the island monastery from Star Wars. Landing on the island itself needs a separate, pre-booked boat from Portmagee.
Is the Skellig Ring suitable for campervans and larger vehicles?
The roads are narrow and steep over the Coomanaspic pass, which is why tour coaches cannot use it. Cars and campervans are fine if you take it slowly and with care.
Do I need a phone signal for the audio tour?
No. Download the tour first and it runs on your phone's GPS, so it works even where there is no mobile coverage.
Drive Skellig Ring with its stories
MacÉireann is live on the App Store. Download it, choose Skellig Ring, and let a traditional storyteller ride shotgun — turn by turn, hands on the wheel.
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