TheBearaPeninsula...

The Beara Peninsula lies south of the magnificent and world famous Ring of Kerry and all along the route there are great views of the peaks of the Kerry Mountains.The Beara Peninsula is the only peninsula in Ireland that is located in two counties, Cork and Kerry. Bordered between Kenmare bay to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south.

The peninsula is named after a Spanish princess, Princess Beara. Owen Mór the King of Ireland sailed to Spain after being badly injured in battle, there he met and married the princess. On his return to Ireland he named the nearby island and the whole peninsula 'Beara' in honour of his wife.

The peninsula is a treasure trove for history buffs, some 511 historical sites can be found in the area, making it the location of one of the highest number of antiquities in one area in Ireland. An example of Pre-Ogham writining can be found in Glentastel, Lauragh. Indeed the tallest ogham stone in the world (17 ½ feet / 5.3m) is situated at Ballycrovane, Eyeries. It is at Garnish that the Celts first landed. The extensive copper mines at Allihies were mined for almost a hundred years, as a result they are so deep they go under the sea at parts.

 

 

TheBearaPeninsula has a wide range of quality accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from hotels and bed & breakfasts to hostels and self catering accommodation. TheBearaPeninsula has a nice variety of pubs which are well worth a visit on a warm summers evening or a cold winters one!.

For diners there are a selection of restaurants

While on your tour of the Beara Peninsula you are sure to see the Kerry cow believed to be one of the oldest breeds in Europe. Brought here by Neolithic man, they are black in colour and a bit smaller that regular cows.

Your vacation wouldn't be comlete without a visit to one of the local golf clubs choose from Berehaven Golf Club, Glengarriff Golf Club and Kenmare Golf Club.

The woodland gardens of Derreen Gardens in Lauragh have lots of colour, bamboo plants, eucalyptus trees and sweeping lawns. Planted by the fifth Marquis of Lansdowne in the 1870s, the garden is continuously changing and developing most resently two new ponds were added by the Marquis' great-grandson who now owns and runs the property.

Gleninchaquin Park is a great day out for the whole family. The present owner is committed to restoring and conserving the cultural and natural heritage of the valley that has been in his family for more than 130 years.

While on tour why not give sea angling a go. There are a variety of fishing sites in the area which have been developed by Beara Tourism Development Association. Each fishing site is clearly singposted and have information board which detail the types of fish to be found at that site. The tourist information centre in Castletownbere will give you anyadditional information required.

Regarded by many as the best in Ireland, the Beara Way Walking Route covers 125 miles of beautiful countryside and scenery. The Beara Cycling Route has also been developed and links up with the Beara - Kilgarvan and Beara-Gougane Barra Cycling Routes.

The peninsula has a great selection of bars, superb food, excellent accommodation and a wide range of shops.