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About Beara
About
Beara
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Here you can find general information about Beara, its history and culture and some great ideas for places to visit. Whether you are visiting Beara for a few days or if you want to take a drive along the stunning Ring of Beara, you will find a wealth of discovery awaits you.
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Beara, one of the peninsulas situated along the S.W. coast of Ireland, can be accessed by air and by ferry from Britain and France. Glengarriff and Kenmare are the two gateway towns to the Beara peninsula and routes described below are to those two locations.
Beara is one of five peninsulas that form the distinctive jagged-edged 'fingers' in South West Ireland. From North to South they are Dingle, Iveragh, Beara, Sheeps Head and Mizen.
Beara (Irish: Béarra) or the Beara Peninsula lies between Kenmare Bay on the north side and Bantry Bay on the south.
Beara is bounded at its most westerly point by Dursey Island, well worth a trip on the cable car. Dursey is the most southwesterly point in Ireland. Moving east along the shores of Bantry Bay, Castletownbere is the principal white fish port of Ireland. Further east still is the scenic village of Glengarriff which has been a tourist attraction from the 18th century. Glengarriff is the southern gateway town to the Beara Peninsula while to the north, Kenmare, at the head of the Kenmare river is the northern gateway town. The N71, Glengarriff to Kenmare road forms the eastern boundary of Beara.
The Ring of Beara is a beautiful 80km or 130km circular tour (Approx. 55 to 80 miles) depending on which route you take.
If you are starting from Kenmare, cross the Suspension Bridge and take the N71 towards Glengarriff. Approximately 11Km (7 miles) on your route, stop and visit Lorge Handmade Chocolates. A visit to his emporium on the road near Bonane is a must. Make yourselves a bag of mixed chocolates to nibble as you continue your excursion. They really are superb. For even greater fun, book a chocolate making experience, something not to be missed.
Continuing on for a few miles you will see signs for Bonane Heritage Park. This archaeological site includes Stone Age, Bronze and Iron Age monuments up un to pre-famine times.
Stretching along Ireland’s western seaboard, the Wild Atlantic Way is where land and sea collide
Over 2,500km in length, the Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal touring route in the world. It stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula in Co.Donegal to Kinsale in west Cork, and winds its way along the coasts of nine of Ireland’s western counties, taking in breathtaking scenery as well as such as iconic places as the Burren the largest limestone karst landscape in the world, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Skellig Michael, and the traditional Irish towns dotted along the western seaboard. It is easily travelled following the distinctive blue and white logo, seen on all signposts.
There are many walks and ways to be found on Beara. Whether you are a skilled hill walker looking for a beautiful challenging hike or a casual walker just looking to see some beautiful scenery, Beara has something to offer for everyone.
The road winds ahead toward another destination, another adventure. Through rock and rush, from sea to sky, let Beara take you on a voyage of discovery.