The "Ring of Beara" follows the roads for about 148 kilometres (92 mi) circumnavigating the peninsula. It goes from Kenmare, crossing the Healy Pass through Adrigole, passing Castletownbere, Allihies, and turn offs to Dursey Island, Eyeries and Ardgroom, and on to Glengarriff. The area has had a long connection with the sea; Castletownbere is one of Ireland's largest fishing ports and the largest white fishing port. It has diving, sailing and boating facilities.
Allow us to spoil you at Casey’s Hotel, Glengarriff where comfortable rooms, superb dining, best base location for Beara peninsula, Ideal for touring, walking, cycling, kayaking the wild atlantic way. Our welcoming warm friendly personal service will make choosing Casey’s the very best decision.
Healy Pass is a sinuous mountain road with beautiful views over Bantry Bay and the Kenmare river. What people say about Healy Pass "some of the best scenery i have ever seen. Healy pass was spectacular it was a clear sunny day" Stay at Casey's Hotel Glengarriff.
Garnish Island is located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, on The Wild Atlantic Way. Garnish is world renowned for its gardens which are laid out in beautiful walks and it has some stunning specimen plants which are rare in this climate.
Dursey Island is at the western tip of the Beara Peninsula . It is 6.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island is separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water called the Dursey Sound which has a very strong tidal race, with a reef of rocks in the centre of the channel which is submerged at high tides. This peaceful island, with only a handful of semi-permanent residents, is ideal for walking enthusiasts .
Allihies, the last village at the end of the beautiful Beara peninsula, sits between an impressive rocky mountain range and the rugged Atlantic coast. The saying ‘a view around every corner’ certainly applies here. The panorama from Barnes gap is unforgettable and, as you descend towards the village through the small fields, the Man Engine house at the Mountain Mine leaps out from the grey mountain ahead.
Castletownbere boasts possibly the finest natural harbour in Ireland. Nestling between the Caha and Slieve Miskish Mountains the town is sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by Bere Island. The market square in Castletownbere is a joy to behold. Traditional and spacious this market hits its peak on the first Thursday of each month with a selection of top quality food and bric-a-brac. The market operates from 9am – 2.30pm.
Tourist attractions on the peninsula include the ruins of Dunboy Castle and Puxley Mansion, the Copper Mines Museum in Allihies, Garnish Island by Glengarriff (maintained by the OPW) and Derreen Garden (privately owned but open to the public).
The Beara Way is a long distance walking route around the peninsula with several historical and archaeological sites en route. The main towns on the route are Castletownbere, Kenmare and Glengarriff. There are a number of villages in between including Allihies, Ardgroom, Adrigole, and Eyeries. Bere Island and Dursey Island can be reached by a short trip by ferry or cable car respectively. The Beara Way is part of the Beara-Breifne Way based on the march of O'Sullivan Beare in 1603. The tallest Ogham stone in Europe, the Ballycrovane Ogham Stone, is close to Eyeries.
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Casey's Hotel Glengarriff a Great Place to Stay
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