Beara

The Beara Peninsula, home to Ireland's 2nd largest fishing port, Castletownbere (although it's sad to say most of the boats fishing from there are not Irish), home to Ireland's only Buddhist monastery and home to one of Ireland's great mountain passes, The Healy Pass, and 160Km of unspoilt rugged beauty with little traffic.

A gpx file for a suggested route is available via the blue link below and an interactive map of the route is available at the bottom of the page 

Places of interest

Casteltownbere

The main commercial centre on the Beara and a major Irish fishing port, here you'll find an abundance of bars, cafes and restaurants. 

Allihies

Once the epicentre of the West Cork copper mining industry now a picturesque holiday village, the Copper museum is well worth stopping for. 

Dogzchen Beara

The only Buddhist temple & retreat in Ireland, stop and ponder on life for a while, visit the meditation garden and experience a moment of mindfulness with the stunning views. 

Healy Pass

Originally a famine road linking Kerry & Cork counties via the mountains it's now a twisty mountain pass that rivals the best in the Alps. For the best views travel north to south.

Dursey Island

Ireland's only cable car, connecting Dursey Island with the mainland and which transports cows and sheep just as easily as people - and sometimes at the same time!

Garnish Island

The most beautiful and stunning sub-tropical gardens, only accessible via a short boat trip. It will be 2 hours of your day that will be very well spent.