Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
If you are driving along the southern coast of Ireland, chances are you will have a day where you drive from Cork to Kerry or vice versus. This part of Ireland is often overlooked for some of the coastal areas such as the Ring of Kerry, Skellig, or the Cliffs of Moher, but this area is full of beautiful villages and drives worth exploring.
Give yourself a little extra time to explore this area. Below you can see what we did on our drive as well as some extra suggestions for exploring the Southern Coast of Ireland.
We did this drive as part of our 7 day Ireland itinerary: Our Complete 1 Week Ireland Itinerary around Southern Ireland.
Route Overview
Cork → Kinsale (optional) → Drombeg Stone Circle → Glengarriff → Healy Pass → Lauragh → Kenmare → Kerry
- Distance: ~100–120 miles depending on route
- Driving time without stops: ~3–4 hours
- Recommended time: full day
What we did: Driving Cork to Kerry
After spending the night in Cork at the Cork Vienna Woods Hotel & Villas we got a very early start and spent the morning exploring Cobh. This southern Ireland town is worth the a stop to see the colorful rows of houses and visit the Titanic Museum. I’ve written a full guide on what to do in Cobh, but if you are exploring this part of Ireland, make sure to plan at least 2 hours in Cobh.
Since we got an early start, we were back in Cork by mid-morning for a quick stop in the Cork Market for picnic food before heading out on our drive to Kerry.
After leaving Cork you have a few options for routes to drive. If you have a full day, start your drive with a stop in Kinsale. This is another beautiful coastal town where you can grab a bite and walk around. Make sure to check out Old Head Lighthouse. If you are visiting Kinsale, note that this is not directly on the route to Kerry so you should give yourself extra time.
Next plan a stop as a stone circle. We stopped at Drombeg Stone Circle. This is a lovely and peaceful circle without a lot of the crowds. You can stop in the parking lot and take a short walk to the circle. We packed sandwiches and enjoyed lunch at the circle.
After the stone circle, we continued on along the coast. If you haven’t packed a lunch there are plenty of small towns to grab a bite to eat. From here you can continue right to Kerry, but if you are looking for a scenic drive, consider driving over Healy Pass. We added this onto our drive initially because this is where Dave’s family is from, but it is a stunning drive and a quieter part of the region to visit.
Winding through the Caha Mountains on the Beara Peninsula, this narrow mountain road is one of Ireland’s most spectacular drives, yet it’s often overlooked in favor of the Ring of Kerry or the Wild Atlantic Way.
As you climb toward the summit, the road twists back and forth through a series of tight switchbacks with sweeping views over rugged mountains, valleys, and shimmering lakes. We visited on a clear day, and it felt like we had the entire road to ourselves.
The pass reaches an elevation of about 1,100 feet (335 meters), and there are several small pull-offs where you can safely stop to enjoy the scenery. Just remember that this is a narrow road with occasional sheep wandering across the pavement, so take your time and drive carefully.
For us, Healy Pass ended up being one of the unexpected highlights of our Ireland road trip. While many visitors rush straight toward Killarney or the Ring of Kerry, this detour offers a quieter, more authentic side of southwest Ireland that’s well worth the extra driving time.
After crossing the summit, the road descends into the small village of Lauragh before continuing north toward Kenmare, where you can begin exploring County Kerry or continue on to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.
After driving over the pass, you will drop into the town of Lauragh and then continue north towards the Kerry region and Kenmare.
Other Stops between Cork and Kerry
If you have extra time on your drive from Cork to Kerry, there are several worthwhile stops you can add along the way. Your exact route will depend on whether you take the coastal road, detour through the Beara Peninsula, or head directly toward Kenmare and Killarney.
Baltimore
This small fishing village on the southwest coast is known for its colorful harbor, island views, and relaxed atmosphere. If you have time, consider taking a short boat trip to see the nearby islands, including Cape Clear Island and Sherkin Island.
Glengarriff
Located at the entrance to the Beara Peninsula, Glengarriff is a great stop for nature lovers. Visit Garinish Island for gardens and coastal views or take a walk through Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve.
Beara Peninsula
If you have a full day, consider exploring more of the Beara Peninsula before heading toward Kerry. The peninsula is often quieter than the Ring of Kerry but offers dramatic coastal scenery, colorful villages, and some of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes.
Kenmare
A perfect overnight stop or base for exploring the region, Kenmare has colorful streets, excellent restaurants, and easy access to both the Ring of Kerry and Beara Peninsula. It’s one of our favorite towns in southwest Ireland for slowing down and exploring.
Molls Gap & Ladies View
If you continue toward Killarney, don’t miss these scenic viewpoints in Killarney National Park. The road climbs through dramatic mountain scenery, with sweeping views over the lakes and valleys below.
Mape of the Drive Cork to Kerry
Things to Know about This Drive
You Need a Car
The first thing is that unless you are doing this on a tour or with a driver, you will need to rent a car. Roads throughout Ireland are narrow and winding. Be prepared to drive slowly. Also google maps works well but not perfectly. At one point we ended up on a dirt road and got stuck in a traffic jam with farm equipment.
Here are my top tips for driving:
- Allow more time than Google Maps suggests — every stop and winding road adds up.
- Healy Pass is paved but narrow. Take your time and use the pullouts to let cars pass.
- Avoid rushing this drive after dark.
- Many roads are unlit, narrow, and bordered by stone walls or hedges.
- Download offline maps before leaving. Cell service can be spotty in rural areas.
How Long do you Need?
Plan to spend a full day doing this drive. We left Cork around 11:00 and got to Sneem where we were staying around 6:30 at night.
Is the drive from Cork to Kerry worth adding to your Ireland itinerary?
Absolutely. While many visitors rush toward the famous sights of Kerry, this route shows a quieter side of Ireland filled with colorful villages, ancient stone circles, mountain passes, and dramatic coastal scenery. If you have the time, slow down and make this a full-day adventure rather than just a transfer between destinations.
How to Choose your Exact Route
Option 1: Fastest Route
Cork → Macroom → Killarney
- Best if you are trying to maximize time in Kerry
- Less scenic, but gets you there faster
Option 2: Coastal Route
Cork → Kinsale → Drombeg → Glengarriff → Kenmare
- Best for first-time visitors
- Mix of villages, history, coastline, and scenery
Option 3: Beara Peninsula Route
Cork → Glengarriff → Healy Pass → Kenmare
- Best for dramatic landscapes and fewer crowds
- Requires more winding roads and slower driving
