Ireland- Driving the Ring of Kerry

Today we drove part of the Ring of Kerry, a popular scenic driving route on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, before tomorrow's horse ride along the Ring of Kerry. We started off our drive in the town of Killarney. It’s touristy, but a good jumping off point, because there are lots of good restaurants, pubs and places to stay. We’re staying in Foley's Townhouse right in the center of town. We had the typical big Irish breakfast before we began our drive.

Driving on the left side of the road is no joke. I am totally not used to it. Every time I make a turn, I have to remind myself to drive on the left side. It’s very strange. It’s also disconcerting to see the many signs along Irish roads, telling you how many people have died on the road that you are just about to venture down.

Our GPS system, who we have named Matilda, though very helpful in getting us from A to Z, also is very helpful in leading us onto the tiniest one lane roads in any given area. Sometimes it’s great, like when it leads us to a ruined castle, totally off the beaten path and not in any guidebooks that I have seen. Other times, Matilda leads us to onto roads most certainly too narrow for our rental SUV.

Some of the roads on the Ring of Kerry remind me of Amalfi Drive in Italy. They really wind around along the coast, with great views. Just fasten your seatbelt and hold on tight as you drive in Ireland.

Learn more about equestrian vacations in Ireland and riding the Ring of Kerry..

Darley Newman is an equestrian travel expert and the host of the Public Television series Equitrekking®, which takes viewers on horseback riding vacations around the world. Visit equitrekking.com and purchase Equitrekking DVDs, the Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback book and more at ShopDarley.com