Gardens
IlnacullinThis horticultural miracle of an island was created in the early 20th century when the island's owner commissioned architect Harold Peto to design a…
Image by Gareth Mccormack / Getty Images
Beara Peninsula
After Kerry and Dingle, the Beara Peninsula is the third major 'ring' (circular driving route) in Ireland's southwest. Its intricate coast and sharp-featured mountains are a geologist's paradise of exposed and contorted rock strata, making for dramatic scenery at almost every turn.
You can easily drive the 137km Ring of Beara in one day, but you would miss the spectacular Healy Pass Road (R574), which cuts across the peninsula from Adrigole in Cork to Lauragh in County Kerry. In fact, if pressed for time, skip the rest and do the pass.
The south side, along Bantry Bay, is a string of working fishing villages. The north side, in contrast, has only a few small hamlets dotted along craggy roads with grand views north to the mountains of Kerry. At the tip is a cable car linking the peninsula to tiny Dursey Island.
The northeastern part of the peninsula lies in County Kerry, but most is within County Cork.
Explore Beara Peninsula
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Beara Peninsula.
Ruins
Dunboy CastleThe ruins of this 15th-century castle, a former stronghold of the O'Sullivan Beare clan, sit on a promontory overlooking the southern entrance to the…
Nature Reserve
Glengarriff Woods Nature ReserveThe valley of the Glengarriff River, to the northwest of Glengarriff village, was once the private estate of the Earl of Bantry. As such its ancient oak…
Island
Bere IslandOnly 12km by 7km, Bere Island has around 200 permanent residents and attracts scores more to summer holiday homes. There are ruined Martello towers,…
Gardens
Ewe ExperienceMore than 20 years in the making, this interactive sculpture garden is imaginative, thought-provoking and humorous, with nature and art working together…
Farm
Milleens CheeseThe town of Eyeries is home to Milleens cheese, first created by the late pioneering producer Veronica Steele. Visitors are welcome to visit the Steele…
Farm
Gleninchaquin ParkThis working sheep farm offers a whole range of things to do, from waymarked history and geology walks to trout fishing and feeding the lambs (in spring),…
Gardens
Derreen GardensDerreen Gardens were planted by the fifth Lord Lansdowne around the turn of the 20th century. Mossy paths weave through an abundance of interesting plants…
Museum
Allihies Copper Mine MuseumAllihies' history as a copper mining area is chronicled in this engaging museum, the result of years of work by the community; there's also tourist…
Lake
Glanmore LakeAbout 1km west of Lauragh, a side road leads to forest-fringed Glanmore Lake, with the remains of an old hermitage on a tiny island in the middle. Get…
Historic Site
Derreenataggart Stone CircleOn a lonely hill 2km northwest of Castletownbere, the impressive Derreenataggart Stone Circle, consisting of 10 stones, can be found close to the roadside…
Gardens
Bamboo ParkGlengarriff's mild, frost-free climate allows this small 12-hectare park to flourish. It has a variety of exotic plants, including palm trees and tree…