Beara Way
Encyclopedia
The Beara Way is a long-distance trail
in Ireland
. It is a 206 kilometres (128 mi) long circular trail around the Beara Peninsula
that begins and ends in Glengarriff
, County Cork
. It is typically completed in nine days. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail
by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council
and is managed by the Beara Tourism and Development Association.
and Bord Fáilte
. Construction was carried out by workers on FÁS
social employment schemes. The completed trail was formally opened by Toddy O'Sullivan
, T. D.
, Minister of State
at the Department of the Environment, in June 1996. A major upgrade of the trail was completed in 2009 and involved the construction of 20 bridges, 200 stiles, 15 information boards and 30 plaques. A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found the Beara Way to be one of the most heavily used of the trails. It recommended that it be one of five National Waymarked Trails that should be prioritised to be upgraded to a National Long Distance Trail, a proposed new standard of trail in Ireland, intended to meet international standards for outstanding trails.
to an altitude of 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) as it traverses the pass north of Sugarloaf mountain before descending to reach the village of Adrigole
. From Adrigole, the trail follows the southern flanks of Hungry Hill
and the Slieve Mish Mountains
to reach Castletownbere
. A spur route makes a circuit of Bere Island
, which is connected to Castletownbere by a ferry service. The route from Castletownbere to Allihies
is via an old cattle droving path. Copper
mining was the main activity in Ahillies for many years and the remains of abandoned mine working dot the landscape. Another circular spur route starts from Allihies and brings the trail to the very tip of the Beara Peninsula where a cable car
connects the trail with Dursey Island
. From Ahillies, the trail follows a miners' track and climbs the copper-rich crags above the village, crossing a mountain pass to reach Eyeries
. A ridge along the coast connects Eyeries with Ardgroom
. The trail then crosses into County Kerry
to reach Tuosist
, via Lauragh. From Tuosist, the Way crosses the northern slopes of Knockagarrane and then passes between Clonee Lough and Lough Inchiquin before crossing a mountain pass. The route diverges here, continuing north to Kenmare
or south to Bonane. The final stage returns to Glengarriff via Bonane Heritage Park
and Esk mountain. A spur route connects Glengarriff with Kealkill, Gougane Barra
and Ballingeary
.
, County Leitrim
, following the line of Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare's march in the aftermath of the Battle of Kinsale
in 1602. The Beara Way also forms the start (or end, depending on direction travelled) of European walking route E8
which runs from Dursey Island to Istanbul
, Turkey
. The E8 joins the Kerry Way
via a link route along roads between Bonane and Kenmare. The Mealagh Valley
Walking Route is a 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) trail linking the Beara Way with the Sheep's Head Way
.
Long-distance trail
Long-distance trails are the longer recreational trails mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling ....
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is a 206 kilometres (128 mi) long circular trail around the Beara Peninsula
Beara Peninsula
The Beara Peninsula is a peninsula on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare "river" to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. It has two mountain ranges running down its centre: the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish Mountains...
that begins and ends in Glengarriff
Glengarriff
Glengarriff is a village of approximately 800 people on the N71 national secondary road in the south-west region of County Cork, Ireland. Known internationally as a tourism venue, it boasts many natural attractions...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. It is typically completed in nine days. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail
Long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland
There are 43 long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland designated as National Waymarked Trails by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council. These trails are inspected annually by the National Trails Office and are maintained by local management committees, Local Authorities,...
by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council
Irish Sports Council
The Irish Sports Council or ISC is the organisation which directs the development of sport within the Ireland.The ISC is a statutory authority and was established in July 1999 under powers provided by the Irish Sports Council Act...
and is managed by the Beara Tourism and Development Association.
History
The Beara Tourism and Development Association began work on planning and developing the Beara Way in 1991 with funding from the West Cork County Development Team, CospóirIrish Sports Council
The Irish Sports Council or ISC is the organisation which directs the development of sport within the Ireland.The ISC is a statutory authority and was established in July 1999 under powers provided by the Irish Sports Council Act...
and Bord Fáilte
Fáilte Ireland
Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority of the Republic of Ireland. This authority was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act of 2003 and replaces and builds upon the functions of Bord Fáilte, its predecessor organization...
. Construction was carried out by workers on FÁS
Foras Áiseanna Saothair
An Foras Áiseanna Saothair , referred to in English as the Training and Employment Authority and commonly known as FÁS , is a state agency in Ireland with responsibility for assisting those seeking employment...
social employment schemes. The completed trail was formally opened by Toddy O'Sullivan
Toddy O'Sullivan
Toddy O'Sullivan is a retired IrishLabour Party politician who served for sixteen years as TD for constituencies in Cork, and for five years as a junior government minister...
, T. D.
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
, Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
at the Department of the Environment, in June 1996. A major upgrade of the trail was completed in 2009 and involved the construction of 20 bridges, 200 stiles, 15 information boards and 30 plaques. A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found the Beara Way to be one of the most heavily used of the trails. It recommended that it be one of five National Waymarked Trails that should be prioritised to be upgraded to a National Long Distance Trail, a proposed new standard of trail in Ireland, intended to meet international standards for outstanding trails.
Route
Starting at Glengarriff, the Beara Way enters the Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve and then climbs into the Caha MountainsCaha Mountains
The Caha Mountains are a range of low sandstone mountains situated on the Beara peninsula in south-west County Cork, in the Ireland. The highest peak is Hungry Hill, 685m tall.-See also:*List of mountains in Ireland...
to an altitude of 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) as it traverses the pass north of Sugarloaf mountain before descending to reach the village of Adrigole
Adrigole
Adrigole, is a village situated on the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, in Ireland. It is centred around the junction of the R572 and R574 regional roads. It has a sparsely distributed population of about 450 people....
. From Adrigole, the trail follows the southern flanks of Hungry Hill
Hungry Hill
Hungry Hill is a 685 m, 2248 ft mountain on the Beara Peninsula in the Republic of Ireland. It is the highest peak of the Caha Mountains and the 130th highest in Ireland...
and the Slieve Mish Mountains
Slieve Mish Mountains
The Slieve Mish Mountains are a mountain range found in County Kerry in the Ireland. Overlooking Tralee Bay on the northern side and Dingle Bay on the south, they extend for approximately 19 km from east to west...
to reach Castletownbere
Castletownbere
Castletownbere is a small town in County Cork in Ireland. It is located on the southwest coast of Ireland, in West Cork, on Berehaven harbour near the entrance to Bantry Bay. It is also known as Castletown Berehaven. The name of the town comes from the no longer extant MacCarty Castle, and not...
. A spur route makes a circuit of Bere Island
Bere Island
Bere Island or Bear Island is an island off the west coast of County Cork, Ireland. It is roughly 11 km x 5 km in dimension and has a population of 210....
, which is connected to Castletownbere by a ferry service. The route from Castletownbere to Allihies
Allihies
Allihies is a coastal parish in the west of County Cork, Ireland. The largest village in the parish is Cluin, but is often mistakenly referred to by the name of the surrounding parish...
is via an old cattle droving path. Copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
mining was the main activity in Ahillies for many years and the remains of abandoned mine working dot the landscape. Another circular spur route starts from Allihies and brings the trail to the very tip of the Beara Peninsula where a cable car
Cable car
A cable car is any of a variety of transportation systems relying on cables to pull vehicles along or lower them at a steady rate, or a vehicle on these systems.-Aerial lift:Aerial lifts where the vehicle is suspended in the air from a cable:...
connects the trail with Dursey Island
Dursey Island
Dursey Island lies at the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula in the west of County Cork in Ireland. Dursey Island is 6.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island is separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water called Dursey Sound which has a very strong tidal race, with a...
. From Ahillies, the trail follows a miners' track and climbs the copper-rich crags above the village, crossing a mountain pass to reach Eyeries
Eyeries
Eyeries is a village and townland on the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland overlooking Coulagh Bay and the mouth of the Kenmare River in the south-west. It lies at the base of Maulin, which, at , is the highest peak in the Slieve Miskish mountain range that forms part of the backbone of the...
. A ridge along the coast connects Eyeries with Ardgroom
Ardgroom
Ardgroom is a village on the Beara peninsula in County Cork, Ireland. Its name refers to two gravelly hills deposited by a glacier, Dromárd and Drombeg. It lies to the northwest of Glenbeg Lough, overlooking the Kenmare River estuary. It sits between the coast and the Slieve Miskish Mountains. The...
. The trail then crosses into County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
to reach Tuosist
Tuosist
Tuosist is a parish in the far south of County Kerry, Ireland. It shares the Béara Peninsula with the neighbouring parishes of County Cork, and the Caha Mountains form the county border. The nearest town is Kenmare...
, via Lauragh. From Tuosist, the Way crosses the northern slopes of Knockagarrane and then passes between Clonee Lough and Lough Inchiquin before crossing a mountain pass. The route diverges here, continuing north to Kenmare
Kenmare
Kenmare is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara meaning "head of the sea", referring to the head of Kenmare Bay.-Location:...
or south to Bonane. The final stage returns to Glengarriff via Bonane Heritage Park
Bonane Heritage Park
Bonane Heritage Park is an archaeological preserve near Kenmare, Ireland.The park is surrounded by the Sheehy and Caha Mountains. It is home to more than 250 archaeological sites. Recent studies show many of these sites are interrelated and some have major astronomical significance....
and Esk mountain. A spur route connects Glengarriff with Kealkill, Gougane Barra
Gougane Barra
Gougane Barra is a settlement, west of Macroom in County Cork, Ireland.The name Gougane Barra comes from Saint Finbarr, who is said to have built a monastery on an island in the lake nearby during the 6th century. The present ruins date from around 1700 when a priest called Denis O'Mahony...
and Ballingeary
Ballingeary
Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh is a village in the Shehy Mountains in County Cork, Ireland.The village is within the Gaeltacht and has an active Irish-language summer school, Coláiste na Mumhan...
.
Intersecting and connecting paths
The southern section of the Beara Way from Allihies to Glengarriff forms the intitial stages on the Beara-Breifne Way, a walking and cycling route under development, intended to run from the Beara Peninsuala to BreifneKingdom of Breifne
The Kingdom of Breifne or Bréifne was the traditional territory for an early Irish tribal group known as the Uí Briúin Bréifne...
, County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
, following the line of Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare's march in the aftermath of the Battle of Kinsale
Siege of Kinsale
The Siege or Battle of Kinsale was the ultimate battle in England's conquest of Gaelic Ireland. It took place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, at the climax of the Nine Years War - a campaign by Aodh Mór Ó Néill, Aodh Rua Ó Dónaill and other Irish clan leaders against English rule...
in 1602. The Beara Way also forms the start (or end, depending on direction travelled) of European walking route E8
European walking route E8
The E8 European long distance path or E8 path is one of the European long-distance paths, leading 4700km across Europe, from Cork in Ireland to Istanbul in Turkey....
which runs from Dursey Island to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The E8 joins the Kerry Way
Kerry Way
The Kerry Way is a long-distance trail in County Kerry, Ireland. It is a long circular trail that begins and ends in Killarney. It is typically completed in nine days. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by Kerry...
via a link route along roads between Bonane and Kenmare. The Mealagh Valley
Mealagh Valley
The is located just outside the town of Bantry, in the south-west of Ireland. It has two schools. The Mealagh Valley is most famous for its many Celtic monuments such as ringforts, tombs and standing stones. The Mealagh Valley is about 1.5 hours from Cork Airport...
Walking Route is a 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) trail linking the Beara Way with the Sheep's Head Way
Sheep's Head
Sheep's Head, also known as Muntervary , is the headland at the end of the peninsula between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork, Ireland....
.