Hire Car Kerry Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Kerry by Hire Car

County Kerry in the far southwest of the Emerald Isle is Ireland “at its best”.

Smaragd green hills, spectacular coasts and lonely high moors characterize the landscape, small fishing villages and hidden sandy beaches invite you to take a break when you are on the road with a hire car.

Sights in Kerry

Considered one of the most beautiful tourist roads in the world, the Ring of Kerry circles the Iveragh Peninsula. If you pick up your hire car at Kerry Airport, for example, you can reach Kenmare in less than an hour, a friendly town that thrives on tourism and is a great place to start the Ring of Kerry circuit.

To the west, the road passes through the picturesque village of Sneem and past Parknasilla, with lush, subtropical parks and an exclusive hotel. Off the road is Staigue Fort – a perfectly preserved circular stone castle where Irish chieftains once resided – the exact age of the site is unknown.

Leisure activities in Kerry

To the west of the peninsula lies Waterville, with its sandy beach exposed to the wild Atlantic and views of the Skelligs – tiny islands that centuries ago served as a retreat for monkish hermits and are now populated by thousands and thousands of seabirds such as puffins and guillemots.

In the north of the peninsula, the village of Glenbeigh boasts Rossbeigh Beach, one of the finest, longest sandy beaches in Europe. Narrow mountain passes lead from the beach up into Ireland’s highest mountains, offering spectacular views beyond each of the many bends – the highest peaks of the barren Macgillycuddy's Reeks are over a thousand metres high.

Kerry has an airport in the heart of the county about 15 minutes from Killarney. Of course, you can pick up your hire car directly at the airport.