1

But your driving on irish roads, the drive to Glengariff alone
will be close to 2 hours
Are you flying into Cork airport....if so what time of the day are you due in ?

2

Well, we fly in the day before so it doesn't matter too much, but we planned to hire a car as early as possible....and then drop it back the next day so we'd have the whole day and early evening....

2 hours......damn...the website lied.

3

aa route planner puts Cork-Glengariff at 1.38h and I think even that's light. Once you are off the N roads and onto the smaller R roads things can get tough.

Perhaps Kinsale, Skibereen and Baltimore are better options although you will be retuning on the route you came out.

4

First off, I'm not sure you can hire a car for a day, most rentals have a 2 day minimum.

Your trip is do-able, although personally I think its pushing it to do the Beara Peninsula in a day trip along with all the other towns. The other peninsulas closer to Cork are in different ways just as beautiful, and maybe involve a bit less driving. Also, while the countryside and bay around Glengarrif are lovely, there is nothing much to see with the town.

I'd suggest just going as far as Bantry, which has kept a lot of its character as a typical Irish small town, with a few very good restaurants and bars, so a good place to stop. The Sheeps Head Peninsula is relatively small and can be driven in an hour or two, with a walk to the very end of the point to the lighthouse which can be lovely. But the Mizen Peninsula to the south is even more spectactular - for me, even nicer than Beara, with some gorgeous beaches on the southern side and lots of history. You could spend a very enjoyable couple of hours or so at the Mizen Head visitors centre - its 6 euro entry I think, but its well worth it for the spectacular views. The lovely village of Crookhaven is also worth a visit, and Schull is a lovely town. Do the 'loop' road, the north and south side of the peninsula have very different characters.

I wouldn't bother with Skibbereen - the best town in the area for a walk around is Kinsale, although its very touristy - it has by far the best collection of old streets and houses, and a few outstanding (and very expensive) restaurants. Clontakilty is a nice town for a walk around.

Baltimore is well worth a visit. There is little in the village itself, but the area around is lovely. Don't miss taking the narrow roads out to see Lough Ine - its quite a unique seawater lake, and its swimable if the weather is nice.

As a rough schedule I would say from Cork City take the N71 to Bantry (1.5 hours). An hour in Bantry for a coffee and look around. Then 4 hours to do a circuit of Mizen, with stops at the visitors centre, Crookhaven and Schull. The latter two would be good places for lunch - Schull having the biggest and best range of restaurants. Then 1.5 hours to go around Baltimore with a short walk at Lough Ine. Then another hour (not including stops at towns) to get to Kinsale, which would be great for dinner - Fishy Fishy is the best known and maybe best restaurant there, but book in advance, its very popular. Then back to Cork in time for a pint.

5

If you don't want to return to Cork the same way you came on the N 71, you could get on the R 584 where it meets the N 71 between Bantry and Glengarriff and take it east over the Pass of Keimaneigh to Macroom. Then go to either Kinsale or Cork from there.

6

try using Google MAPS and use the features SEARCH-NEARBY
and STREET-VIEW there are demos on Youtube explaining
"How to use Google maps"
Can i suggest on your way to Glengariff you stop by Kenmare town.
Departing Cork airport turn left heading towards the South Ring road N25 /
turn left follow signs for Killarney N22 to the R569
turn left for Kenmare about 90 minutes journey.
Restaurant, Deli bakery.....see....JAM.IE / see maps
in Cork, close to south ring road roundabout airport road
and Kenmare town.
enjoy your trip.

7

Thanks all for the advise, I'll have a look through it, and make a decision about where to go.

8

If you are going through the pass of Keimeneigh don't forget to visit Gouganebarra.Its a beautiful sight.