Staigue Fort
Staigue Fort
4.5
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Kingdom 1795
92
0.6 mi$ • Irish • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
The Bianconi
355
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • European • Vegetarian Friendly
10 Bridge Street
492
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Mediterranean • European
Jacks Bakery
185
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • Irish • Cafe
Quinlans Seafood Bar
123
0.6 mi$ • Irish • Seafood • Fast Food
Bunkers
435
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • European
The Real Burger co.
119
0.6 mi$ • Irish • Fast Food • Street Food
Giovannelli
174
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Sethu Curry House
133
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Cafe K
54
0.6 mi$ • Irish • Cafe • European
Attractions
17 within 6 miles
Reeks District Visitor Centre
7
0.6 miVisitor Centers
Killorglin Children's Playground
1
0.6 miPlaygrounds
Pauline Bewick - Kerry Collection
3
0.6 miArt Museums
The Diaspora
6
0.7 miMonuments & Statues
Puck Fair
24
0.6 miCultural Events
Ballykissane Pier
23
0.7 miHistoric Sites • Piers & Boardwalks
King Puck
37
0.8 miMonuments & Statues
Killorglin Sports Complex
1
1 miSports Complexes
Brushwood Studios
8
1.6 miArt Galleries
Kerry Bog Village Museum
344
History Museums
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
318 reviews
Excellent
151
Very good
130
Average
30
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Jaimee G
Urbana, IL435 contributions
It was a bit of a drive up a narrow road, but so are a lot of things in Ireland if you are doing a driving tour of the country. You'll get used to this pretty quickly! At the site there are toilets and a donation box. We were greeted by some friendly sheep. This secluded ring is impressive with stairs up to the top along the interior and beautiful views. We had the place entirely to ourselves, which felt pretty special. I would recommend this stop along the Ring of Kerry.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bernie O
Brigantine, NJ195 contributions
Ancient ring fort that is well worth the drive off the beaten path to get there. Walking around the fort and imagining what it was like when it was actually in use was wonderful. Looking around and seeing how something built so long ago is still standing and in good condition was great.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David T
United Kingdom38 contributions
Wonderful fort, wonderfully isolated in magnificent location high in a quite green valley. Very atmospheric. No charge, no queues.
While you're there grab a coffee from the lovely guy at 'Roast' coffee bar, right by the entrance.
While you're there grab a coffee from the lovely guy at 'Roast' coffee bar, right by the entrance.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Samiya7
Deerfield Beach, FL1,045 contributions
This fort is not a fort and is way off the beaten path about a 3 mile drive up the hill on a narrow windy one lane road - so narrow that sometimes you have to back all the way up to let another car pass. It is a chieftan’s home and is basically a circle of rocks. There is a box to put a one euro trespass fee.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris M
Ireland22 contributions
Solo
It's quite hard to rate this attraction. Because many folk may be disapointed at the scale of the fort - it's not a very big place. It is also a remote and unattended attraction. It sits forlornly at the hub of a broad mountain valley. It is also quite a detour off the Wild Atlantic Way - allow 10 to 15 minutes slow driving from Castlecove to arrive there.
But if you have a strong interest in historic places, then Staigue Stone Fort is a good place to visit. Likewise if you have kids who like to climb and explore inside stone forts - then they will like this a lot. But if you are just mildly curious - I'd say it's "just about" worth the drive up the remote valley (on a tiny single land road). The fort is small but interesting nonetheless - and on a clear day - the views are quite nice from the elevated position. Visitors are encouraged to leave a small "entrance fee" - on the honours system - at the gate.
By the way - "tiny road etiquette" seems to be : the vehicle closest to a wider area, gateway, or passing point, should reverse to allow oncoming traffic pass. Don't forget to wave to the obliging driver - as a "thank you". And bigger vehicles, campers and RVs, should try avoid going up there especially in high season!
But if you have a strong interest in historic places, then Staigue Stone Fort is a good place to visit. Likewise if you have kids who like to climb and explore inside stone forts - then they will like this a lot. But if you are just mildly curious - I'd say it's "just about" worth the drive up the remote valley (on a tiny single land road). The fort is small but interesting nonetheless - and on a clear day - the views are quite nice from the elevated position. Visitors are encouraged to leave a small "entrance fee" - on the honours system - at the gate.
By the way - "tiny road etiquette" seems to be : the vehicle closest to a wider area, gateway, or passing point, should reverse to allow oncoming traffic pass. Don't forget to wave to the obliging driver - as a "thank you". And bigger vehicles, campers and RVs, should try avoid going up there especially in high season!
Written October 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie L
Melbourne, Australia1,375 contributions
Couples
This defensive fort is thought to have been built for a local lord or king around 300 or 400AD. It is impressive to see the stones, without the benefit of mortar, still in place in the overall structure of the forbidding walls. The circular fort is surrounded by a ditch. However, I suggest a better example is the exhilarating Grianan of Aileach in County Donegal.
Written November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MissJulie 815
164 contributions
Couples
We were following the Rick Steve's guide to the Ring of Kerry, so we could avoid the tour buses. We had read up ahead of time on the sites on the ring and this fort was one that we were interested in. However, this was all going to depend on timing. I would say shortly before 9:00 AM, we started seeing signs for this fort. We were debating turning off the main road, but decided that it was now or never and that we should stop. The fort is not right when you turn off the main road. I would say you maybe need to drive for 15 minutes, following the signs. One thing to note is the road is very narrow with hedges on each side of you at one point. It is very tight for other cars to pass by. At one point, we needed to back up into a wider area so another car could get by us. If you are not comfortable with this, do not attempt to head to this fort. I will say the road does open up a little wider after awhile making it easier to pull to the side. The other nice thing is there are signs every so often to confirm that you are still going the right way. The fort is at the end of the road so you cannot miss it.
Once you get to the fort there is plenty of parking available. We arrive shortly after 9:00 AM and there was one other family there. There is a donation box at the entrance to the fort, looking for one or two euros a person. It is the honor system so you can choose to enter for free. The fort itself is actually very impressive and much bigger than anticipated. It was really cool to not only walk around inside, but also to climb on its walls as there were platforms that you could stand on. It also gave great views of the start of the ring. We were there when the weather was sunny so it was very beautiful to get a preview of the views that we would be experience the rest of the day.
We probably spent 20 minutes or so at the fort. There was never more than a handful of people there. There are also bathrooms here, I am assuming the donations probably help maintain these. They were cleaner than I actually expected them to be, but still bathrooms at a fort in the middle of nowhere. However, I would recommend using them as the stops on the ring are far and few between. The road that took you to the fort also takes you back to the main road. We actually found the drive back down less stressful than on the way to the fort, probably because we knew what to expect. I would recommend doing this early, just because of how narrow the road is. We only encountered one other car on both the drive to and from the fort, but I am sure it is worse later in the day.
Once you get to the fort there is plenty of parking available. We arrive shortly after 9:00 AM and there was one other family there. There is a donation box at the entrance to the fort, looking for one or two euros a person. It is the honor system so you can choose to enter for free. The fort itself is actually very impressive and much bigger than anticipated. It was really cool to not only walk around inside, but also to climb on its walls as there were platforms that you could stand on. It also gave great views of the start of the ring. We were there when the weather was sunny so it was very beautiful to get a preview of the views that we would be experience the rest of the day.
We probably spent 20 minutes or so at the fort. There was never more than a handful of people there. There are also bathrooms here, I am assuming the donations probably help maintain these. They were cleaner than I actually expected them to be, but still bathrooms at a fort in the middle of nowhere. However, I would recommend using them as the stops on the ring are far and few between. The road that took you to the fort also takes you back to the main road. We actually found the drive back down less stressful than on the way to the fort, probably because we knew what to expect. I would recommend doing this early, just because of how narrow the road is. We only encountered one other car on both the drive to and from the fort, but I am sure it is worse later in the day.
Written July 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Poly_Tribe
Sheffield, UK92 contributions
Couples
The signage is poor and the single-lane road is long and winding for about 4 km. Don't give up. When you arrive there is a parking area and a donation box from the local farmer (honour system), then a 10 minute walk uphill through sheep pastures and a gravel path. The Iron Age fort itself is massive -- one of the oldest and biggest in Ireland: 5.5 m high, 4 m thick, and 27 m in diameter, and rather impressive, even in the rain as it was constructed without mortar. There is a passage inside that requires squeezing through double stone lintels (a tight squeeze unless you're skinny). Sadly, there is only one small placard giving details about the history.
NOTE: Do not visit during a heavy downpour. Part of the path crosses a stream, and in heavy rains you have to ford across a narrow stone 'bridge' that is inches over rushing water. We feared it might become impassable if we stayed too long.
NOTE: Do not visit during a heavy downpour. Part of the path crosses a stream, and in heavy rains you have to ford across a narrow stone 'bridge' that is inches over rushing water. We feared it might become impassable if we stayed too long.
Written August 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jojam
NJ59 contributions
Friends
Well worth the 10-15 minute ride up the one lane road to see this huge circular fort that is still intact! The setting is spectacular and the views are amazing. Highly recommend. We went twice and it was not crowded either time. Be sure to have some euros to put in the honor box before you go thru the gate.
Written September 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Benjamin N
Palatine, IL422 contributions
Couples
We've visited a number of forts, but for some reason this one just hit home. There's not a lot to see, but climbing up and looking at the fort, there's something aesthetically pleasing to it.
Written November 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa Y
Wentzville, MO391 contributions
Quick question for you, when I google Staigue Fort a Parknasilla Resort comes up...is this where the fort is near? Or is my google map way off? Thanks!
BillyHurney
Hacketstown, Ireland6 contributions
This resort is around 28 mins 22km away from statue fort
Staigue Fort, Castlecove
Frequently Asked Questions about Staigue Fort
- Hotels near Staigue Fort:
- (0.02 mi) Beautiful House close to all amenities in scenic location
- (0.63 mi) Kingston's Bar & Townhouse
- (0.63 mi) Coffey's River's Edge Guesthouse
- (0.42 mi) Aloha House
- (1.02 mi) Grove Lodge Country House
- Restaurants near Staigue Fort:
- (0.64 mi) Kingdom 1795
- (0.65 mi) The Bianconi
- (0.65 mi) 10 Bridge Street
- (0.65 mi) Jacks Bakery
- (0.63 mi) Quinlans Seafood Bar