Skellig Ring Bus Hire: a Minibus Day from Killarney
A long day on the far end of the Iveragh peninsula. Your group sees Portmagee, the Kerry Cliffs, Valentia Island and Ballinskelligs from the road and the shore. The tour does not land on Skellig Michael; that is a separate boat trip with its own booking, rules and season.
What the day covers
- Portmagee and the Skellig Experience
- Kerry Cliffs
- Valentia Island
- Ballinskelligs
When it runs
- April to October; landings May to September
The road and the vehicle
The run out goes by Killorglin and the N70 to Cahersiveen, then the R565 along the Portmagee Channel. At Portmagee the Maurice O'Neill Memorial Bridge is the only road onto Valentia Island. The Skellig Ring proper is the R566 between Portmagee and Ballinskelligs, a narrow, steep coast road over the Coomanaspic pass that is unsuited to full-size coaches. For that reason the vehicle offered is a minibus of 16 to 19 seats. Expect slow progress in summer traffic.
The stops and time on each
The Kerry Cliffs sit on private land just outside Portmagee, about ten minutes on foot from the entrance to the viewing area; allow an hour. The site closes in storms, so check on the morning. The Skellig Experience centre on Valentia, at the island end of the bridge, covers the monastery and the seabirds indoors, which suits a wet day. Portmagee is the lunch stop. Ballinskelligs has the priory ruins and a beach before the run home.
Skellig Michael tours from Killarney: booking the landing
Landings are run only by boat operators who hold a permit from the Office of Public Works, from Portmagee, Valentia, Ballinskelligs or Derrynane. The landing season is roughly mid-May to the end of September, with dates set each year. Boats carry small numbers, sailings are cancelled often on swell, and children under 12 are not allowed to land. The climb is 618 steep, uneven steps. Book the boat directly; the coach then delivers the group to the pier for the departure time.
Can a 49-seat coach do the Skellig Ring?
It is not a road for a full-size coach: the Coomanaspic section is narrow and steep, so the day is planned around a minibus of 16 to 19 seats. A larger party travels in two vehicles.
Does the tour go out to the Skellig islands?
Not as standard. Your group sees the islands from the cliffs and the coast. A landing or a sea cruise is booked separately with a licensed boat, and the day is planned around its sailing.
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Send the date, the passenger count and any timed entries you already hold. We come back with a fixed price for Skellig Ring & Portmagee.