The Ring of Beara

The Ring of Beara is a sightseeing tour that takes in the best of the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland. This 195km circuit winds its way between lakes, forests and mountains, while skirting the coastline with its beaches and bays. A tour you can do by bus or car!

Discover the Ring of Beara

Kenmare to Ardgroom (Co. Kerry)

Kenmare opens the ball on the N71, offering a succession of bays and coves bathed in exceptional colors. Rolling plains and rocky cliffs tumble into the deep blue ocean.

A marvel.

It’s also worth noting that the beautiful Iveragh peninsula, not far from Kenmare, can be seen in all this scenery. There are plenty of areas along the route where you can stop off, stretch your feet and admire the view (and take photos, perhaps?).

Follow the road to Lauragh, exit the town and take the Healy Pass, a narrow road that winds for 11km to reach a high point no less than 334 meters above sea level.

The view from the top is simply magnificent, offering a sumptuous panorama of Glanmore Lake, the valley dotted with abandoned stone walls, and its surrounding mountains. Let’s face it: this is one of the most beautiful views on the entire Beara peninsula! Not to be missed!

Once back down, this time follow the signs for Ardgroom. This route takes you past forests and fabulous coves and bays that are barely visible. The colors are once again splendid, and we recommend that you set foot on their clear-sand beaches: the beauty of the landscape is well worth the detour! It’s at this precise moment that you leave County Kerry and enter County Cork…
Coulagh Bay to Glengarriff (Co. Cork)Caha Pass road – © Luis

Destination: County Cork! We’re now on an ascending route through the Slieve Mishkish Mountains, towards Allihies. Once back down, you’ll find yourself in Allihies, skirting beautiful Garinish Bay. The view is breathtaking and worthy of the most beautiful postcards sold all over Ireland.

From here, take the R572 to Dursey Island, a small island accessible by cable car (average cost €4). If you’d like to set foot on the island, there’s a superb 11km loop circuit that takes you all the way around.

Once you’ve completed your tour, return to your car and head for Castletownbere, a picturesque fishing village. The pubs here are great for a drink, and the little fishing port is absolutely charming: a few fishermen untangle their nets, while other big boats leave the harbor to take advantage of the Atlantic’s prolific waters.

If you go a little further than Castletownhere, you’ll come to Bantrim Bay, the Peninsula’s stopping point. Here, too, the views are splendid, taking in breathtaking landscapes and colors.

As the peninsula tour makes a loop, you can then head off in the opposite direction, towards the destination of your choice.