On the N71 road south from Killarney towards Kenmare, two viewpoints stop traffic — sometimes literally. Ladies View and Moll's Gap sit within a few kilometres of each other on the mountain road that forms part of the Ring of Kerry, and between them they offer some of the most photographed scenery in Ireland. Both look back towards Killarney across the Upper Lake, with the full sweep of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks forming the horizon.
At a glance
- Ladies View 19km from Killarney on the N71
- Moll's Gap 25km from Killarney on the N71
- Road N71 — the main Killarney to Kenmare road
- Best time Morning light from the east falls directly on the lake
- Entry Free — roadside viewpoints
Ladies View
Ladies View gets its name from a visit by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting in 1861, who reportedly declared it the finest view they had ever seen. Standing at the viewpoint today it is easy to understand why — the Upper Lake spreads out below, framed by the mountains on both sides, with the valley opening towards Killarney in the distance. In autumn the hillsides turn deep red and gold and the view is even more extraordinary.
Local tip: Most people stop at the roadside car park and look from the barrier. Walk a short distance along the old road to the east for a wider, unobstructed view — and far fewer other visitors in the frame.
Moll's Gap
Moll's Gap sits higher on the mountain road, at the point where the N71 reaches its highest elevation before descending towards Kenmare. The views here are wider and more open than Ladies View — you can see across to the Iveragh Peninsula and on a clear day the Kenmare River estuary is visible in the distance. The gap itself is named after Máire Ní Dhuibh — known as Moll — who kept a poitín still and a sheebeen here in the early 19th century, serving travellers on the mountain road.
Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting declared Ladies View the finest they had ever seen — it has been drawing visitors ever since.
Combining both viewpoints
Both viewpoints sit on the same road and are easily combined in a single drive. The N71 from Killarney to Kenmare is one of the most scenic roads in Ireland — Ladies View comes first heading south, then Moll's Gap a few kilometres further on. Many visitors continue to Kenmare for lunch before returning to Killarney via a different route, making a half-day loop of it.
Practical information
Getting There
Drive the N71 south from Killarney towards Kenmare. Ladies View is 19km, Moll's Gap 25km
Parking
Small car parks at both viewpoints — can fill quickly in summer. Arrive early or visit in the evening
Best Light
Morning light from the east illuminates the lake — aim for before 11am for photography
Nearby
Kenmare town is 10km beyond Moll's Gap — worth combining for lunch or a browse of the market town