Let’s start with the new topic ” Things To Do In Beara peninsula“. Where: Beara Peninsula, Cork/Kerry The remote and hauntingly beautiful peninsula straddling the border of these two counties at Ireland’s southwestern tip that will make you feel like you are in another time.
Kenmare Bay in Kerry and Bantry Bay in Cork; Beara is nestled neatly between the two.
With proof of human existence on the peninsula dating back to 3000 BC, and one which will leave a mark that never fades.
Lesser known than its neighbouring Dingle Peninsula or Ring of Kerry, but Beara has a magic that is all its own and you will never forget the below listed facts. Welcome To Our Blog Voy Trips and I am your Friend Frank Richard.
Some quick need-to-knows about the Beara Peninsula
While a visit to the Beara Peninsula is fairly easy, there are some need-to-knows that will just make your trip that little more enjoyable.
1. Location
The beautiful Beara Peninsula is located on the magnificent south-west shore of Ireland. Almost 90% of the peninsula is Tributary to Cork, including a large section where Co. Kerry ends.
2. Still Somewhat of a “ Hidden Gem “
Now, hold on there — you see outside of Ireland (and even within) relatively few people could name drop Bears. Most however, er in favour of the neighbouring Iveragh Peninsula. The great thing about this is that as the busy summer months approach, it becomes a fraction of how crowded places like those in Tulum.
3. Ring of Beara and the Beara Way
The long-distance Beara Way (takes 4-9 days) and the fabulous Ring of Beara drive or cycle, a 148 km circular route that can be driven in just half-a-day. Info on both below.
4. Key attractions
Key sights on Beara include Healy Pass, Glengarriff Woods and Gardens, the Allihies Copper Mines, Gleninchaquin Park and the many islands such as Dursey Island or Garnish which are accessible by boat cruises.
5. Main towns and villages
Some of the prettiest villages and towns in Cork are found on The Beara Peninsula. There are a ton of little villages to explore on the peninsula, from Allihies and Eyeries (pictured above) in the north through Ardgroom in the middle all down south again to Adrigole, then over to Castletownbere.
Things To Do In Beara Peninsula
These are the top things to do on the Beara Peninsula, according to myself I have visited multiple times during my 35 years.
At the end of this post I have a google map with all highlights and scenic drives on the Beara Peninsula embedded!
1. The Ring of Beara
The most logical way to explore the peninsula is by embarking on the Ring of Beara drive (148 km/92 miles; 4 hr), a beautiful scenic trail. Well, you will need at least a few days if you wish to actually spend time seeing the islands and doing some walking but half-a-day is fine for an exploration.
The route is a drive that is made in a clockwise direction and you can begin it from either Kenmare or Glengarriff. I will guide you through the key stops on this journey, below!
2. The Caha Pass
One such gem is the Caha Pass, which hangs off Ireland’s N71 road between Kenmare and Glengarriff. This one (by God this unassuming twist of a tarmac) got under my skin in quite another way.
Climbing to 332m, those who follow it are rewarded with sprawling valley views for miles around.
Tunnel aside, they take you for a very memorable ride. And the first tunnel is 180 m long, while three smaller ones comprise about another 70 metres.
Upon leaving the main tunnel it provides a more majestic overlook of Barley Lake and Bantry Bay, with you descending into lush pastures framed by mountains as part of Sheen Valley.
3. Garnish Island
One of the most popular activities on Beara Peninsula is Garnish Island, which you can get to with a brief ferry trip from Glengarriff (€15; 15 minutes).
The island is a hunger paradise with magnificent and mature gardens designed 70 years ago by the owner Annan Bryce plus landscape architect Harold Peto.
Bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953, it is now under the care of The Office of Public Works.
The island is quite small and can be leisurely explored by foot with numerous snorkel trails around the main areas.
4. Gleninchaquin Park
The Kerry section of the peninsula is also home to Gleninchaquin Park, which many consider as being one of its often overlooked tourist attractions.
Recreated by the ice age over 70,000 years ago Gleninchaquin is a remote valley park with numerous trails ranging from easy to challenging so there really is something for all levels.
The piece de la resistance is the multi-cascade 140m waterfall visible from the carpark.
Walk through the park listening to the waterfall and just see McGillicuddy Reeks Killearney in the distance.
5. The Glanmire Lake Viewpoint
I am always compelled to try and enjoy a pleasant picnic lunch there, which I have failed at both times because mute swans are very aggressive! One of my favourite things to do on the Beara Peninsula is driving Healy Pass (coming up below) then stopping briefly at sections near the top (map here).
Between us and that dense conifer stand, there is a flat (and generally quite boggy!) Left of the parking hill Climb it. The sight you see in the photos above will be right around the corner.
Many wheelchair bound friends like us often double down on ourselves to climb the rock that we can enjoy viewing at this back view point called pull-in area (gps location here).
6. Glengarriff Woods
No one seems to really go on about the Glengarriff Nature Reserve and it is a crying shame. Just a 3-minute whirl out from town, these walking trails are spread over 300-hectares.
And for the more experienced hiker of you, take on Esknamucky Trail a 2.8km moderate route will have you walking thereabouts 1h30 mins.
Take the Waterfall Walk for a quick, but worthwhile stroll.
A nice woodland walk which leads to the small Glengarriff Waterfall (which should take 30 minutes in total).
7. Bull Rock
Further Charlies Brown than Dursey Island is Bull Rock Island, located 9km off of the Beara Peninsula.
Dursey Boat Trips offer trips to the rocky outcrop, with a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) waiting to whisk you through the waves.
Of course, you won’t actually get on to the island — but you will sail directly beneath it via a tunnel (as seen in the photo above).
Be sure to keep an eye out for whales, dolphins and basking sharks who will be fighting the seabirds here in common use of these richer feeding grounds.
8. The Beara Way
Where to do a long-distance walk If you have 9 or more days: Walk the Beara Way — an incredibly scenic, rugged loop of about 206 km through some of Ireland’s wilder country.
The way-marked hike (check out the map ) is a significant one that boasts an overall accumulation of 5,245m—with Glengarriff being both the start and finish line.
The Beara Way presents solitude and magic — ancient standing stones, lakes rimmed by mountains, fishing villages that still farm interspersed with some of the most remote bog roads you could ever hope to find between woodland paths.
9. Allihies
It’s a sweet spot, the little village Allihies (and Eyeries next door). A special feature of the locality is the road that winds its way down into Allihies from above.
An easily missed space to pull in — tiny, on the edge of a blind spot. The view from here, and as you go down is mind-blowing.
Arriving at the village make your way to Ballydonegan Beach – white sand merging with clear waters.
Allihies producedcopper from the early 1800s, starting in 1812. The village’s Copper Mine Museum tells you everything about it. One other option is to hike the copper mine trails.
10. Dursey Island
Ironically, Dursey’s isolation is one of the things that has helped preserve its beauty and a trip to this tiny island offers an evocative glimpse at what West Cork would have been like several decades back.
It’s off the tip of Ireland on the Beara Peninsula and can only be reached by taking a cable car across. It is just 15 minutes away.
It can only transport 6 passengers (or a cow or 12 sheep!) and passes 250m over the current or turbulent sea below.
Finally, the Signal Tower on Dursey island was built over 200 years ago while your arrival at this point will be marked by the ruined church of St Kilmichael and O’Sullivan Beara’s castle.
Conclusion
Don’t know where to start with planning your activities on the Beara Peninsula? This map of things will help you.
Here you will also find the Ring of Beara route mapped as well along with a lot more things to see and do. So, if it’s an overnight or two on the Beara Peninsula in Ireland you need plenty of b&Bs and hotels to choose from. Kindly don’t forget to share with your friends and family.