The Beara Peninsula
Last Updated: 1st September, 2018
The Beara Peninsula is rich in sites of historical and archaeological interest, from wedge tombs which are thousands of years old to church sites of more recent origin. The area is doted with stone circles, alignments and gallauns.
There are a number of Martello towers, from Dursey Island and Garnish to Bere Island, which has two. Thre are also a number of ogham stones, on of which is the largest in the world. Many of these sites are open to the public. The area is ideal for West Cork Walking and Cycling with a range of great beaches available.
Beara Way
For the most part the Beara Way is off tarred roads following old roads and leading along the hills with the agreement of farmers taking in some of West Cork's stunning peninsula. It is 125 miles long, stretching from Kenmare to
Glengarriff, West to Dursey, and back along the North side to the peninsula of Kenmare. Bere Island is also included and it takes in part of the O'Sullivan Bere Way.
The Ring of Beara
The Ring of Beara is a stunning coastal drive with some of Irelands most scenic sights to be found enroute from Cork into the county of Kerry. A route not to be rushed, it can be started from Glengarriff and take in the towns and villages enroute all the way to Kenmare or equally start in Kenmare and work your way all around to Glengarriff.
You will drive through Glengarriff, Adrigole, Castletownbere, Allihies, Eyeries, Ardgroom, Lauragh, Tuosist and Kenmare.
How long does it take to complete The Ring of Beara
- Glengarriff to Castletownbere takes 30 minutes driving
- Castletownbere to Allihies another 30 minutes
- Allihies to Eyeries 30 minutes
- Eyeries to Lauragh (Co Kerry) 25 minutes
- Lauragh to Tuosist 13 minutes
- Tuosist to Kenmare 20 minutes
This scenic drive is definitely one not to be rushed and as the area is well known for its walking routes and trails the most famous being the Beara Way and also its many cycle routes, the well known Beara Cycling Route, so you can see that the route is to be taken at a slow pace to take in the rugged beauty, peace and tranquil nature of this wonderful area in West Cork.
There are so many areas that you will have to stop and take in the views, so you will have to allow time and highly recommended to book in and stay a few days.
Top Things to see and do enroute along The Ring of Beara
- Garnish Island Tropical Garden & Seal Wildlife, Glengarriff
- Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve
- Castletownbere fishing port
- Dereenataggart Stone Circle near Castletownbere
- Dunboy Castle near Castletownbere
- Allihies Copper Mine Museum
- Allihies Diving
- Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Centre Allihies
- Eyeries colourful village
- Ballycrovane Ogham Stone
- Ardgroom picturesque little village and Glenbeg Lough
- Ardgroom Stone Circle
- Derreen Gardens Lauragh
- Cashelkeelty Stone Circle Lauragh
- Kenmare Stone Circle
- Gleninchaquin Park Kenmare
- Reenagross Woodland Park Kenmare
- Bonane Heritage Park Kenmare
Top Things to see and do a short distance from the route of The Ring of Beara to be further explored at your leisure
- Dursey Island a short Cable Car ride
- Dursey Signal Tower Dursey Island
- Bere Island a boat trip from Castletownbere
- Bere Island Heritage Centre
- Ardnakinna Lighthouse Bere Island
- Martello Tower Bere Island
- Whiddy Island a boat trip from Bantry
