Ring of Beara

Again we start in the town of Kenmare. Linking the famous Ring of Kerry with the ruggedly beautiful Ring of Beara, Kenmare is the perfect location from which to tour the South West of Ireland. The unspoiled Ring of Beara abounds in historical and archaeological sites and spectacular views.

The area is dotted with stone circles, alignments and gallauns. From Kenmare we head South, passing through Bonane we head literally through the Caha mountains through which OEThe Tunnels¹ have been created . On the way downhill to Glengariff there are spectacular views of Bantry Bay with Garnish Island in the distance. From GLengariff we head west through Adrigole. On our right above us is Hungry Hill made famous by Dauphine De Maurrier in her novel of the same name in which she describes the harsh life in the coppermines, the remnants of which still can be seen in the area.

As we head into Castletownbere one of Irelands largest fishing villages we see Bere Island in the distance. West of Castletownbere we visit the ruin of the castle of the O¹Sullivan Bere famous for his ³wonderous Winter¹s march² from Beara to Leitrim in1603. Beside this is Dunboy Castle or Puxleys Mansion the 19th Century home of the Puxley family who made their fortune from the copper miines in Allihies.

Heading west and down into Allehies with it¹s copper and zinc mines, we can see out to our left the Skelligs and the Bull rock lighthouse. We head back through Urhan where the film OEFalling for a Dancer¹ was made and into the colourful village of Eyries, the home of the OEHag of Beara¹ Beyond the village at Ballycrovan is the tallest ogham standing stone in Ireland.

Continuing on into Ardgroom village we keep the OEwild Atlantic¹ to our left heading down into Lauragh¹s leafy greenery and back to Kenmare via tuosist passing the Clonee lakes with their fishing boats. On our left as we return to Kenmare we see Dinish Island and the shoreline of the Iveragh Peninnsula opposite.