Beara Peninsula
Follow a 148 km loop through mountain passes and fishing towns, or take the Beara Way around the peninsula. Ferries and a cable car connect to nearby islands.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
The Beara Peninsula lies on Ireland’s southwest coast between the Kenmare River and Bantry Bay. Its northern section, from Kenmare to near Ardgroom, is in County Kerry; the rest is in County Cork. The Caha and Slieve Miskish Mountains run through its centre, and the Wild Atlantic Way follows the coast. The Ring of Beara is a 148 km (92 mi) drive from Kenmare to Glengarriff. It crosses Healy Pass and passes Adrigole, Castletownbere, Allihies, Eyeries and Ardgroom, with turn-offs for Dursey Island.
For a walking trip, the Beara Way circles the peninsula and passes through its main towns, including Castletownbere, Kenmare and Glengarriff. A short ferry trip reaches Bere Island; a cable car connects to Dursey Island. Castletownbere is a major fishing port, while Allihies grew as a copper-mining centre and has the Copper Mines Museum. The area also has prehistoric sites, including standing stones, dolmens and stone circles. Add Dunboy Castle and Puxley Mansion near Castletownbere, or Garnish Island near Glengarriff, to a route around the peninsula.
Beara Peninsula in five
- Ride the Dursey cable car earlyAdults pay €10 return. It runs 9:30 to 19:30 from March to October, closes 13:00 to 13:30, and has no pre-booking. Queues build in late morning, and operators may pause island access when busy.
- Take the boat to Garinish from GlengarriffIlnacullin gardens open 20 March to 4 November 2026; adults pay €5. Boat operators charge separately for the 1.5 km crossing, which often passes a seal colony.
- Rent a car and plan slow roadsBeara's loop roads are narrow and winding, with little public transport. A compact car and a relaxed schedule matter more than a long checklist.Driving in Ireland
- Choose a start: Glengarriff, Kenmare or CastletownbereGlengarriff and Kenmare are the usual ends of the loop. Sleeping at Castletownbere or Allihies saves a long drive back after Dursey.County Kerry
- Check wind before Dursey and GarinishThe cable car and the Glengarriff boats both run in the open, and wind can pause them. Have a coastal drive as the backup plan.
Things to do in Beara Peninsula
See all attractions in Beara Peninsula
Need to know
- Airport
- Cork (ORK) or Kerry (KIR); both need a long drive
- Getting there
- By road from Cork City, Kenmare or Killarney
- Getting around
- A car; few buses serve the loop
- Best base
- Castletownbere or Allihies; Glengarriff or Kenmare at the ends
- Time needed
- 1 long day for the loop; 2 days with Dursey and Garinish
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Wet, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- FebruaryRain22 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Wet, windyFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°ShowersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Mild, gardens openAprilRain
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, gardens open
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain18 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh17°Low13°BusiestAugustRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busiest
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°CalmerSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Wet, windyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 259 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh9°Low6°Short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 237 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
Average daily high and low in Castletownbere, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Beara Peninsula
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Beara Peninsula
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°5°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°8°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°5°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat8°5°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun9°5°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 08:22 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Cork Citya long drive by roadA city night before or after the peninsula, with Cork Airport and the train station.Read the guide
- County Kerryover the county lineKenmare is the gateway to the Ring of Kerry on the Kerry side.Read the guide
- Glengarriff and Garinish Islanda short boat rideIsland garden open from late March to early November, boats charged separately.
Before you go to Beara Peninsula
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Beara Peninsula, checked
- Dursey Island cable car: adult €10 return, 9:30 to 19:30 from March to October, no pre-booking. Closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Ilnacullin (Garinish Island): 20 March to 4 November 2026, adult €5; the boat to the island is charged separately.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Beara Peninsula
Regions, rail, driving, money and entry
Read the guideCounty KerryKenmare and the Ring of Kerry next door
Read the guideCork CityThe usual starting point for Beara
Read the guideKinsaleA harbor-town stop on a Cork road trip
Read the guideDingle PeninsulaThe next peninsula north
Read the guideDriving in IrelandNarrow roads, left-hand traffic, rentals
Read the guideInsurance for road tripsCover for delays and car hire
Read the guideBeara Peninsula FAQ
How long does it take to drive the Beara Peninsula?
Plan a full day for the loop with stops. Add a second day if you want Dursey Island, Garinish or longer walks. The narrow roads make hours more useful than the distance suggests.
Is the Beara Peninsula better than the Ring of Kerry?
They suit different trips. The Ring of Kerry has more tour traffic and services. Beara is smaller, with quieter roads and fewer facilities, so it suits a self-drive trip in shoulder season.
Do you need to book the Dursey Island cable car?
No. The operator says there is no pre-booking and the cable car runs first come, first served. Arrive early, as queues form from late morning.
Can you visit Beara without a car?
It is difficult. Glengarriff has some services, and tours run from larger towns, but the loop roads need a car or a bike, and you should check the current bus options.
What is the best time to visit the Beara Peninsula?
May, June and September have long days and open attractions. Garinish is open from late March to early November, and the cable car runs year round with longer summer hours.