Beara Peninsula (Ring of Beara)

Introducing Beara Peninsula (Ring of Beara)

The Beara Peninsula (Mor Choaird Bheara) is the stuff of glossy tourist brochures, a sublime place of rock-studded mountains and green valleys sliding at impossible angles into the Atlantic. Its villages are as friendly and picturesque as you could wish for, and the thrillingly wobbly cable car at the tip of the peninsula, which takes you and the sheep out to tiny Dursey Island, is a bonus.

Sitting insouciantly astraddle the Cork–Kerry border, Beara is less visited than the Ring of Kerry to the north. You can escape even further into the landscape by strapping on your hiking boots. There’s exhilarating hill walking requiring some skill and commitment, as well as proper clothing and navigational experience.

The 196km Beara Way is a signposted walk linking Glengarriff with Kenmare (in Kerry) via Castletownbere, Bere Island, Dursey Island and the north side of the peninsula. The 138km Beara Way Cycle Route takes a similar direction, passing on small lanes through all the villages on Beara. You can find excellent maps and guidebooks in local tourist offices.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009