Ring of Beara — Insider Tip for Connoisseurs★★
The Ring of Beara is the lesser-known, rougher, and less tourist-developed brother of the Ring of Kerry — and that's exactly why Ireland connoisseurs love it. The 137-kilometer coastal road circles the Beara Peninsula between Kenmare and Glengarriff and offers similarly dramatic landscapes, but without the tour buses and crowds.
The highlights: The Healy Pass is one of Ireland's most spectacular mountain roads — a narrow road winding over the Caha Mountains, offering breathtaking views. Allihies is a sleepy village with a wonderful sandy beach and the ruins of historic copper mines. Dursey Island at the westernmost point of the peninsula is accessible via Ireland's only cable car — which you occasionally share with sheep and cattle!
The town of Glengarriff at the eastern end is the gateway to Garnish Island (Ilnacullin) — a subtropical garden on a small island in Bantry Bay, accessible by ferry (return €15). The garden is a botanical wonder, and the crossing includes seal watching.
💡 Tipp
The Ring of Beara is perfect for those who find the Ring of Kerry too crowded. The same dramatic coastal landscape, but a fraction of the tourists. Plan a full day for the drive — the roads are even narrower than on the Ring of Kerry, and the photo stops are numerous.
