# Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head

> From Kinsale via Mizen Head, the Beara Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry to Killarney and on to Slea Head: around 750 kilometres of the Wild Atlantic Way in…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-268-kerry-dingle-west-cork/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 528 km (328 mi) with 14 stops, from Cork to Slea Head. About 7 h 17 min of driving in total. From Kinsale via Mizen Head, the Beara Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry to Killarney and on to Slea Head: around 750 kilometres of the Wild Atlantic Way in south-west Ireland, on roads that are often narrower than your motorhome is wide.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 528 km (328 mi) |
| Driving | 7 h 17 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Cork → Slea Head |
| Countries | Ireland |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*From Kinsale via Mizen Head, the Beara Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry to Killarney and on to Slea Head: around 750 kilometres of the Wild Atlantic Way in south-west Ireland, on roads that are often narrower than your motorhome is wide.*

## The spirit of the route

In south-west Ireland five peninsulas reach into the Atlantic like fingers, and between them lies a landscape that is rarely straight. Beyond Kinsale, fuchsia hedges and stone walls frame the road, then the view opens onto bays, islands and the cliffs of Mizen Head. On Beara the air smells of peat, wet bracken and salt, sheep lie on the road, and old copper mines stand above the sea like ruins from another age. Along the Ring of Kerry, lakes, bogs and sandy bays take turns, and near Portmagee the Skelligs appear as jagged shapes in the haze. Finally, the Dingle Peninsula brings Irish on the place-name signs, beehive huts and the Blasket Islands right outside your sliding door. The weather changes within minutes: rainbows, gusts, sunshine. This route demands patience at the wheel, the courage to reverse, and a willingness to learn the tour-bus timetables.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Cork to Clonakilty (via Kinsale) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From Cork take the R600 through the Owenabue valley to Kinsale, then continue via Ballinspittle and Timoleague on the R600/R605 to Clonakilty. These are well-built regional roads with a few narrow village streets, and from Kinsale on the hedges close in at the edges. Pure driving time is just under 1.5 hours; getting out of Cork itself depends heavily on rush-hour traffic. If you arrive by ferry at Ringaskiddy, you are already on the N28/R610 before reaching the city.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Kinsale: colourful houses, harbour and lanes; Charles Fort, the star-shaped 17th-century fortress at the harbour entrance, can be reached by motorhome.
  - Old Head of Kinsale: a peninsula with a lighthouse; most of the land is a golf course, and the coast can be seen from the road at the entrance – access to the tip is not guaranteed.
  - Clonakilty: a market and strolling town known for black pudding and pubs, with the long beach of Inchydoney nearby.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Desert House Caravan & Camping Park near Clonakilty, quietly located with electric hook-up, sanitary facilities and pitches for motorhomes; check season and opening times in advance. Alternatively Garrettstown House Holiday Park at Garrettstown, close to the beach, on the route between Kinsale and Clonakilty. Book ahead in July and August and on Irish bank-holiday weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Height barriers are common in the car parks in Kinsale and along the coast, and camping in public car parks is viewed critically in the area; in summer 2026 access controls and bylaws for campervans were under discussion in County Cork (complaints included Cobh and Garrylucas near Kinsale); whether and where they apply is not documented. Therefore stay overnight only on designated sites or with the landowner’s permission.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Kinsale is tight with a motorhome: park in the larger car park on the edge of town (check the height barriers) and walk, as the lanes by the harbour are narrow and at high tide partly overcrowded. Fill up in Cork or Clonakilty – from Skibbereen on, the choice of petrol stations gets thin.

### Stage 2: Clonakilty to Goleen (via Skibbereen and Mizen Head) (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** Go via Rosscarbery and the coast road R597 to Glandore (Drombeg Stone Circle lies on a narrow side road), then on through Skibbereen and Ballydehob to Schull. From there take the R591 to Mizen Head and back via Goleen. The coast road is winding, and some sections are single-track with passing places; fuchsia hedges brush against the vehicle. Pure driving time is around 2.5 hours; with stops it takes a whole day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Drombeg Stone Circle near Glandore: a Bronze Age stone circle with a view of the coast, free to visit; the car park is small.
  - Mizen Head Signal Station: a footbridge across the gorge to the south-westernmost point of Ireland, admission charged; check opening times and season in advance.
  - Barley Cove: a long sandy beach with dunes in front of Mizen Head, almost empty in the morning.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Hideaway Camping & Caravan Park near Goleen, close to Barleycove and Crookhaven: pitches, sanitary facilities, waste disposal; a smaller site with a communal atmosphere, ask about season and opening times in advance. There are more campsites in Skibbereen and around Schull; book in high season.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Mizen Head, Barley Cove and Crookhaven there are signs against overnighting in vehicles, and at one point the road at Barley Cove is threatened by the dunes. There is no right to camp in council-owned car parks; take prohibition signs seriously.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The R591 to Mizen Head is narrow and busy at peak times; when meeting oncoming traffic, wait in good time in passing bays. Sheep’s Head (the next peninsula to the north) can be driven round on its own narrow road – with large motorhomes it is only recommended as far as the hamlet of Kilcrohane.

### Stage 3: Goleen to Glengarriff (via Durrus and Bantry) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From Goleen take the R591 to Durrus and on to Bantry, then the N71 along Bantry Bay to Glengarriff. At first a narrow regional road, from Bantry a wide national road, the N71, with good views of the bay. Driving time is a good 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Bantry House: a stately home above the bay, with gardens and a view of the mountains; the garden is a restful stop.
  - Garinish Island (Ilnacullin) near Glengarriff: an Italian-inspired garden, reached by ferry from Glengarriff harbour, seasonal operation.
  - Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve: oak woodland with ferns and mosses, a few minutes from the town centre.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Eagle Point Camping at Ballylickey on Bantry Bay: a spacious site right on the water with electric hook-up, sanitary facilities and waste disposal; check season times in advance. In Glengarriff itself, Glengarriff Caravan and Camping Park and O’Sheas Caravan & Camping Park are close to the village.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Bantry and Glengarriff there are car parks near the water, but overnighting is only allowed where it is expressly signposted. The situation varies locally – check notices and park4night reports on the spot.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The N71 is wide enough but full of coaches in summer. Bantry has the region’s large supermarkets and petrol stations: fill up, shop and top up your water here before Beara. The detour to Gougane Barra (west of Macroom) is also worthwhile, though along narrow side roads.

### Stage 4: Glengarriff to Eyeries (via Castletownbere, Allihies and Dursey Island) (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** From Glengarriff take the R572 via Adrigole to Castletownbere, on to Allihies and – on a narrow road with only a few places to turn – as far as Dursey Sound. Return to Allihies, then follow the coast to Eyeries. The Beara road is paved throughout, but narrow, winding and single-track in places. Allow several hours of pure driving time; if you take the Healy Pass variant, plan extra time for the gradients and tight bends.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Dursey Island: Europe’s only cable car over open sea water, about 250 m across the sound; limited space, no advance booking, lunch break 13:00 to 13:30, operating hours vary by season (shorter in winter) – check on site.
  - Allihies Copper Mine Museum: the history of copper mining; the ruined engine houses mark the hillside above the village.
  - Eyeries: the colourful village with a view of Coulagh Bay, a popular photo stop.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Eyeries Motorhome Park in Eyeries: a small motorhome site near Eyeries; ask about facilities, season and opening times in advance. In Allihies there is also Allihies Camping, and in Castletownbere Berehaven Golf Club Camping.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Beara there are several viewpoint car parks, but many are small and overnighting is not permitted. The community reacts to campers who damage the ground with rubbish or by wearing out the grass. Campers parked at the Dursey cable-car terminal car park easily obstruct access.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Healy Pass (R574) between Adrigole and Lauragh is narrow and steep, with hairpin bends; it is not recommended for large motorhomes and combinations – the drive along the coast road via Eyeries and Ardgroom is more relaxed in this respect. Fill up in Castletownbere; there are only a few petrol stations on Beara.

### Stage 5: Eyeries to Caherdaniel (via Kenmare and Sneem) (approx. 112 km)

- **The drive:** From Eyeries go via Ardgroom and Lauragh to Kenmare (R571/N71), then on the N70 via Sneem to Caherdaniel (Derrynane). The drive follows the Ring of Kerry clockwise, i.e. against the usual direction of the tour coaches; the narrow N70 between Kenmare and Sneem and at the Coomakista Pass is then the bottleneck. Driving time is a good 3 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Kenmare: a stone circle, a town of lanes and pubs with live music; a good place to shop before the Ring.
  - Sneem: colourful houses, a sculpture park and stone bridges.
  - Derrynane House and beach: the home of the freedom fighter Daniel O’Connell, with a beach and dunes.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wave Crest Caravan & Camping Park in Caherdaniel with electric hook-up and sanitary facilities; Glenbeg Caravan Park nearby. Both are close to Derrynane beach. Check availability, season and opening times in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Derrynane and Sneem, overnighting outside the sites is not tolerated. Staigue Fort lies on a very narrow dead-end road off the N70; you should not drive it with a large motorhome.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Tour coaches usually drive the Ring of Kerry anticlockwise (from Killarney). If you drive clockwise, you meet them head-on, especially between Kenmare, Sneem and Waterville – start early (before 9 a.m.) and use passing places. There is no toll on the N70.

### Stage 6: Caherdaniel to Cahersiveen (via Waterville, Skellig Ring and Portmagee) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From Caherdaniel go over the Coomakista Pass to Waterville, then either take the Ring of Kerry directly to Cahersiveen or the Skellig Ring (Ballinskelligs, Kerry Cliffs, Portmagee). The Skellig Ring is narrow, winding and demanding for large motorhomes. Pure driving time is several hours, depending on the variant.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee: cliffs about 300 m high with a view of the Skelligs, small car park; check admission and opening in advance.
  - Skellig Michael: a monastic rock, landing tours from Portmagee; the 2026 landing season runs from early May to 1 October, and landing is only for a limited number of visitors.
  - Valentia Island: an island with Geokaun Mountain, the Fogher Cliffs and the Slate Quarry.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Mannix Point Camping and Caravan Park near Cahersiveen, by the water with electric hook-up and sanitary facilities; Valentia Island Caravan & Camping on the island itself. Both are mostly seasonal; check opening times in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the Kerry Cliffs car park and on the roads around Portmagee, overnighting in vehicles is not tolerated. The community sometimes offers small motorhome pitches with waste disposal; check the current status in the pitch apps.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Skellig Ring road is single-track in many places, with passing bays; large motorhomes are better off taking the N70 and driving only as far as Portmagee. Book landing tours to Skellig Michael early (they are usually sold out); they are only possible in season, and whether the landing goes ahead is decided by sea conditions and guides only at short notice – stay overnight in Portmagee the evening before and allow plenty of time for the approach.

### Stage 7: Cahersiveen to Killarney (via Glenbeigh and Killorglin) (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Cahersiveen take the N70 to Glenbeigh (Rossbeigh Strand), then along Dingle Bay to Killorglin and on the N72 to Killarney. A wide, good road, with heavy traffic on the last stretch. Driving time is about 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Rossbeigh Strand: a broad sandy beach and dunes near Glenbeigh, with a view of the Dingle Peninsula.
  - Killorglin: a town with an old bridge over the Laune; the Puck Fair takes place in August.
  - Killarney National Park: Ross Castle, Muckross House and Torc Waterfall, reachable by bike or horse-drawn jaunting car.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Fleming’s White Bridge Caravan and Camping Park near Killarney, electric hook-up and sanitary facilities; Flesk Camping and Fossa Caravan & Camping Park nearby. Book in high season and during festivals.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Killarney National Park camping is prohibited under the national park bylaws. Overnighting is not intended in the car parks at the park; pitching without permission is not recommended.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The centre of Killarney is busy, and height barriers are common. The Gap of Dunloe is not suitable for motorhomes, whereas Ladies View on the N71 (about 20 km from Killarney) is easy to reach.

### Stage 8: Killarney to Dingle (with the Slea Head Drive) (approx. 130 km)

- **The drive:** From Killarney take the N72 to Killorglin, then the R561 via Castlemaine and Inch (beach) to Annascaun and Dingle. Then comes the Slea Head Drive (a loop of about 47 km): Ventry, Slea Head, Dunquin, Ballyferriter, Gallarus Oratory and back to Dingle. The road is winding and tight. Around 3 hours of driving time plus time for stops.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Inch Beach: a long sandy beach on the south coast of the peninsula; do not drive heavy motorhomes onto the sand, as it is soft.
  - Slea Head and Dunmore Head: a view of the Blasket Islands, photo stops at the lay-bys.
  - Gallarus Oratory: an early stone building and visitor centre, near Kilmalkedar Church.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Campáil Teach an Aragail near Ventry: a small site near the beach with sanitary facilities; Inch Beach Campsite with more room. Both are mostly seasonal; booking is advisable in high season. In Dingle itself space is tight.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the Dingle Peninsula, coastal car parks and viewpoints are frequently patrolled; signs against overnighting in vehicles are common. At Slea Head there is no room for large vehicles.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Drive the Slea Head Drive early in the morning, before the tour coaches are on the road; coaches dominate the traffic, and meeting them on the narrow road should be avoided. Whether a one-way or direction-of-travel rule applies is not documented – check the signage and the current status with Kerry County Council. The Conor Pass (R560) is narrow and not recommended with larger motorhomes – take the N86 via Annascaun.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In Ireland there is no general right to camp in the countryside. Land almost always belongs to private owners or councils; overnighting in a vehicle in public car parks is not illegal across the board, but in many places it is prohibited by signs, height barriers or bylaws. The rules are set by the individual council (Cork County Council, Kerry County Council).
- In the national parks (Killarney, Glenveagh and others) camping outside designated sites is prohibited. On the Beara, Kerry and Dingle peninsulas, signs against overnighting in vehicles are common; violations can result in fines. Ask landowners beforehand, and use designated motorhome stopovers or campsites.
- You can stay overnight legally on campsites, on pitches in individual towns and on farms with permission. Useful sources: Campercontact, park4night, Camping Ireland (the association of campsites) and council websites.
- Season: many sites open at Easter and close in September or October. In July and August (and on bank-holiday weekends) the sites are full, so book beforehand.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Services and waste disposal: many campsites offer disposal points for grey water and chemical toilet waste; some towns have public points (fee, usually coins). Check the current status in advance.
- Tap water in Ireland is usually drinkable; heed signs saying “Not drinking water”. Taps are often found only on campsites or in towns.
- Gas: Calor Gas and Flogas are the Irish suppliers; exchange cylinders from other countries are not swapped. Campingaz cylinders are widespread. Autogas (LPG) is rare in Ireland; fill refillable tanks beforehand and carry plenty of reserve.
- Electric hook-up: campsites mostly use the blue CEE standard at 230 V; an adapter and a polarity tester are advisable. Petrol stations are rare away from the towns – fill up in Bantry, Kenmare, Cahersiveen and Dingle.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Driving on the left. Speed limits in km/h: motorway 120, national roads generally 100, regional and minor roads mostly 80, built-up areas 50 (increasingly 30). With a trailer or caravan the maximum is 80 km/h (Road Safety Authority); whether separate limits apply to motorhomes over 3.5 t is not documented – check with the RSA before the trip.
- Maximum dimensions under Irish law: width 2.55 m, length 12 m (motor vehicles); we do not give a fixed maximum height, as the height notices at bridges and tunnels are what count (Jack Lynch Tunnel: 4.65 m). Heed height signs at bridges and car-park barriers – many public car parks have barriers at about 2 m.
- Entry: Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; a passport or national identity card is required on entry. Carry the vehicle documents and proof of insurance. The Green Card is not required in the EU but is useful. Dogs: pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment before entry (check the current status).
- Tolls: there are no toll roads on the route; the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork is toll-free (height limit 4.65 m). The M50 and the Dublin Port Tunnel are not part of the route. Alcohol: 0.5 per mille for ordinary drivers, less for novice and professional drivers. Using a mobile phone at the wheel without a hands-free kit is prohibited.
- Ferry: from France, Brittany Ferries (Roscoff–Cork, seasonal; Cherbourg–Rosslare) and Irish Ferries (Cherbourg–Dublin) operate; gas cylinders must be closed, and the shipping line’s regulations must be observed.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- An additional mirror or wide-angle mirror – on narrow roads with stone walls you will otherwise see the wing mirrors of service buses too late.
- Headlight deflector stickers or adjustment for driving on the left – short trips are permitted, longer ones not without adjustment.
- A CEE adapter and polarity tester for campsite electricity – the sockets differ, and polarity faults are possible.
- Waterproof clothing, wellies and drying cloths: Atlantic weather means wet pitches and condensation in the vehicle.
- Levelling ramps and boards for soft meadows – after rain, wheels sink quickly into grass.
- Offline maps and a paper map: on Beara and Dingle mobile reception is patchy.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Road Safety Authority (RSA) – Tourists / Driving in Ireland](https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/tourists)
- [Irish Statute Book – S.I. No. 51/2002 Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2002/en/si/0051.html)
- [Cork County Council – Cork County Motorhome Code of Conduct](https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/visitor/motorhome-supports/cork-county-motorhome-code-of-conduct)
- [OpenVan.camp – Irish motorhome body backs bylaws in Cork (Irish Examiner/Echo, 8/2026)](https://openvan.camp/en/news/law/irish-motorhome-body-backs-bylaws-cork-curtail)
- [Wikipedia – Jack Lynch Tunnel (mautfrei, Höhe 4,65 m)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lynch_Tunnel)
- [Dursey Island Cable Car – Opening times and fares](https://www.durseyisland.ie/times.html)
- [Cork Echo – Dursey cable car reopens after 1.6m upgrade](https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41159257.html)
- [Cork Echo – Brittany Ferries opens 2026 bookings for Channel sailings](https://www.echolive.ie/business/arid-41674532.html)
- [Le Petit Journal Dublin – Ferry France-Irlande 2026](https://lepetitjournal.com/dublin/ferry-france-irlande-2026-prix-routes-et-conseils-pour-voyager-450871)
- [Skellig Islands – Skellig Michael landing tour (Saison 2026)](https://skelligislands.com/skellig-michael-landing-tour/)

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Cork** (Ireland)
2. **Kinsale** (Ireland)
3. **Clonakilty** (Ireland)
4. **Mizen Head** (Ireland)
5. **Glengarriff** (Ireland)
6. **Castletownbere** (Ireland)
7. **Allihies** (Ireland)
8. **Kenmare** (Ireland)
9. **Caherdaniel** (Ireland)
10. **Portmagee** (Ireland)
11. **Cahersiveen** (Ireland)
12. **Killarney** (Ireland)
13. **Dingle** (Ireland)
14. **Slea Head** (Ireland)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Practical notes for the road

- **Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- **Kinsale → Clonakilty.** Ferry to Ireland needed
- **Mizen Head → Glengarriff.** Ferry to Ireland needed
- **Kenmare → Caherdaniel.** Ferry to Ireland needed
- **Caherdaniel → Portmagee.** Ferry to Ireland needed
- **Dingle → Slea Head.** Ferry to Ireland needed

## FAQs

**How long is Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head?**
8-day road trip of about 528 km (328 mi) with 14 stops, from Cork to Slea Head. About 7 h 17 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head?**
We suggest 8 days: about 7 h 17 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head start and end?**
It starts in Cork and ends in Slea Head.

**Which countries does Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head pass through?**
Ireland.

**Where can you camp along Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head?**
OpenStreetMap lists 50 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Desert House Caravan & Camping Park, Hungry Hill Lodge and Creveen Lodge Caravan and Camping Park.

**When is the best time for Fuchsia hedges, peninsulas and the Atlantic edge – by motorhome from Cork through West Cork, Beara, Kerry and Dingle to Slea Head?**
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)