Beara Way Slí Bhéara Ardgroom Lauragh

The The Beara Way Ardgroom to Eyeries Ardgroom to Lauragh

In perpetual battle with the Atlantic Ocean, the The Beara Way is approximately 220 kilometres in length and Walking Cycling Walking This section, though only 3 - 4 hours in duration, is In addition to the acclaimed seascapes, the Leaving Ardgroom along a back road for 0.5km, Beara Peninsula has an exposed and indented completes a circuit of the peninsula before turning inland to Kealkil. particularly notable for the variety of terrain meandering Coast Road, along which the route walkers skirt the foot of Tooreennamna. The area is coastline. The Slieve Miskish and Caha The route follows quiet back roads and un-tarred tracks, where encountered. Departing Ardgroom, along the Coast travels, is speckled with sites of interest and offers rich in prehistoric monuments, the most accessible Mountains that form its spine prevent easy available. Nonetheless, traffic volumes have increased in recent years Road the trail soon climbs atop a low ridge, replete multiple detours to charmingly-compact quays and of which is Ardgroom (Canfea) . A access to the hinterland of and South and walkers and cyclists are asked to take care, particularly on the with sweeping views of Bay. The brisk bays. Capricious cyclists may cover more than the 16 tranquil valley provides respite from the motorised Kerry, and the villages encircling Beara are busy roads entering and leaving towns and villages. seascapes are succeeded by inland panoramas as kilometres of way-marked route but are unlikely to world and the trail continues through part of the huddled close to sheltered, natural anchorages. walkers skirt the southern shore of Lough Fadda regret their curiosity. Dereen Estate, affording stunning views of While the rugged mountain terrain dominates, Much of the Beara Way traverses private lands. Access has been (meaning Long Lake), before rejoining the Coast Killmackillogue Harbour. To complete, follow the the landscape surprises with pockets of oak and arranged by local community groups and is entirely dependent on Road at scenic Ballycrovane Harbour. At this winding backroads into leafy Lauragh, paying careful other native woodland and the vibrancy of the goodwill of local landowners. Dogs are not permitted on the junction, walkers are urged to take the short detour attention to signage. This 4 to 5 hour section begins hedgerows where fuchsia, crocosmia and other subtropical invaders Beara Way as a condition of this access and walkers are asked to westwards to view the ‘Hag of Beara’ rock and Pulleen Loop in but concludes in . thrive in the mild climate. respect this. Please also be aware that the route is closed to the Kilcatherine Church. public on January 31st each year. Entirely off-road, Pulleen coastal walk begins at Cuas For the final stretch the trail heads off-road to The peninsula has a long history of settlement; rich deposits of copper Caves and loops around the small rise found between Ardgroom to Lauragh follow the shoreline, past the ruins of the old in the slopes above Allihies first attracted prehistoric settlers to the area. Bird and Dog’s Point. This 2 to 3-hour ramble coastguard station. Bombed during the Irish War of The standing stones, stone circles, and wedge graves of these provides ample opportunities to observe seabirds Length: 14 km Independence, this building was one of a series built pre-Christian peoples are succeeded by Iron-Age sites, ringforts, holy both native and storm-blown and en route there are a Highest point: 200m The Beara-Breifne Way to combat smuggling. The section concludes in wells, castles, churches and estate houses. Oral histories capture echoes couple of well signed shore-angling sites. As with Hours to complete: 4 to 5 hours picturesque Eyeries Village. of this succession, usually interweaving them; typically, Christian most other walks on the Beara Peninsula, the ground This route is: Moderate to The Beara-Breifne Way is concurrent with the Strenuous tradition has An Chailleach Bhearra (the Hag of Beara), Celtic goddess of is uneven and walking boots are recommended. Beara Way on the south of the peninsula and Ardgroom to Eyeries the harvest, transformed into stone by Naomh (Saint) Caitiarin; follows the fourteen-day march taken by Donal Parking is available near the Caves. Cycling alternatively she is reformed as a medieval nun, among other O’Sullivan Bere and 1,000 supporters in 1603. Length: 13 km Dazzling vistas of Ardgroom and Killmackillogue incarnations. The route runs almost the length of Ireland and Highest point: 90m harbours, characterise this 10-kilometre section. The takes the walker and cyclist to some of its most 2 Hours to complete: 3 to 4 hours Kilcatherine Church Head route follows the main R571 and caution is advised, The area has always trafficked heavily with the wider world – even the beautiful and least explored areas: across six This route is: Moderate particularly where the road follows the contours of name ‘Beara’, is, according to legend, that of a Spanish princess, the mountain ranges, along the banks of the River Drung Hill. It is in this vicinity too that another wife of Eoghan Mór, mythical second century King of Munster. Later Shannon and through the watery landscapes of kind of visitor is often espied – the Vikings, valuing the safe anchorage of Berehaven, established a Roscommon and Leitrim. Kilmackillogue harbour on Bere Island. Centuries on, O’Sullivan Bere, the last Harbour a herd of wild goats grazing by prominent Gaelic chieftain in Munster, lost Dunboy and Ardea Castles the roadside! R573 to English forces and with it control of the lucrative shipping and The Beara Way / Beara-Breifne Way fishing trade in Bantry and Kenmare Bays; events which eventually Ring of Beara / Beara-Breifne Way Cycle Route 8 R571 precipitated the epic hunger-march north of 1603. KEY TO ROADS

Subsequently, the English, fearful of Napoleonic assistance for Ireland’s National Primary Road Cycle Dog’s Point Way Rou rebel cause, built a series of defensive structures around the peninsula Regional Road ra te Lauragh ea Third Class Road B and set up a naval base on Bere Island of such strategic importance that Pulleen Loop he it remained in British control even after Irish Independence, eventually Track T Láithreach 7 reverting in 1938. The Beara Way KEY TO SYMBOLS Ardgroom Harbour 6 Today, Beara’s continental connections are as strong as ever; a stroll Bird 4 Cashelkeelty

Accommodation Food Point To Healy Pass along the pier in bad weather reveals the flags of many 7 Rhododendron R574 countries swelling the numbers of Ireland’s largest whitefish fleet. Post Office Keecragh Mountain

R571 Cummeennahillan Cleanderry Country code for Walkers ay a W ear Harbour e B • Respect farmland and the rural environment. Th 1 A boulder shaped like a reclining woman possible to explore the arches but it is unsafe to • Do not interfere with livestock, crops, machinery or Tooth is the only relic of the once endemic cult of An swim through. other property. • Do not light any fires, especially near forests. 5 Mountain Cailleach Bheara (The Hag of Beara). As Celtic • Leave all farm gates as you find them. 3 Ardgroom Canfea goddess of the harvest she had the capacity to 5. and Stone circles, such as those found • Always keep children in close control and supervision. 5 6 Coomacloghane rejuvenate, outliving seven husbands. Christianity at Canfea and Cashelkeelty, were used for ritual • Please ensure you have good hiking footwear & rain gear. Dhá Dhrom te • Keep away from livestock along the trail. ou sought to end popular worship of and/or burial purposes, and seem to have been e R • Carry a mobile phone and inform someone about your ycl intended itinerary. y C the Cailleach and legend claims that Naomh aligned to honour solar or astronomical events. Wa ra • Do not enter farmland if you have dogs with you. ea (Saint) Caitiarin or, alternately, a local abbot, The stone circle at Canfea is situated in a large e B • Always use gates, stiles or other recognised access Th turned her to stone as she sat waiting for her rath – an earthen dwelling and stronghold – points, avoid damage to fences, hedges and walls. Lough Fadda YOU ARE HERE Tooreennamna husband, Mananán mac Lir, the God of the Sea, where recent excavations revealed a central • Take all litter home. to return to shore. cremation pit dating to the late Bronze Age. • Take special care on country roads. Kerry DON’T FORGET • Avoid making unnecessary noise. • Protect wildlife and plants and trees. R571 to collect your 2.2 The derivation for the name 7.7 When rhododendron were introduced • Take heed of warning signs they are there for Beara Way Stamps Kilcatherine Church is uncertain but is most into Ireland in the late nineteenth century, the your protection. • If following a recognised walking route keep to the WHICH CAN BE FOUND ALONG plausibly attributed to a monastery of nuns climate and soil of the southwest suited it so well waymarked route. 2 Glenbeg Cork THE ROUTE founded by Naomh (Saint) Caitiarin. The apex that the shrub now tends to out-compete native • Immediately report any damage caused by your Lough actions to the farmer or landowner. 1 of the arched entrance to the ruined church is a flora and is considered an invasive problem. • Do not block farm entrances when parking. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT carved stone widely thought to depict a cat’s head Nonetheless, in early summer, when the large www.bearabreifneway.ie - an appropriation of a pagan symbol by the expanses of rhododendrons surrounding Ballycrovane Trail Grading early Christians. Lauragh come into flower, it is easy to understand Moderate - these trails may have climbs and may have an uneven surface Harbour where the going is rough underfoot, with some obstacles such as protruding their incipient appeal. roots, rocks etc. The roots are appropriate for people with a moderate level of Bonane fitness and some walking experience. Specific outdoor walking footwear and 3.3 Although very small, Cleanderry Oak clothing is recommended. Wood Natural Heritage Area (NHA) is 8.8 Derreen Gardens, planted over 100 Strenuous - These are physically demanding trails, which will typically have some sections with steep climbs for long periods and the going underfoot can Beara Way significant for its purity as, unusually for this area, years ago by the 5th Marquis of Lansdowne, be extremely rough including many obstacles. Suitable for users accustomed to walking on rough ground with a high level of fitness. Specific outdoor walking Lauragh Coulagh Bay Glengarriff Kealkill it contains no introduced species. It is also boasts a wealth of sub-tropical plants and flowers footwear and clothing required. 5 Canfea Stone Circle Ardgroom notable for a luxuriance of moisture-loving plants which thrive in the mild local climate. The garden Beara Way ay W such as the Killarney fern. is open to the public for most of the year and ra Eyeries Eyeries ea accommodates glades of eucalyptus, giant blue B The Beara Way is developed by: Trafrask Bantry 4.4 Cuas ‘Caves’, found near Bird’s Point, gums, bamboo, red cedars and, most famously, a Castletownbere Beara Tourism, Tourist Office, Castletownbere, Beara, Co. Cork Na hAoraí Allihies B comprises two low sea arches through which grove of New Zealand ferns. ea y Tel: 027 70054 Email: [email protected] ra Wa Bere Island waves break onto a small beach. At low tide it is Web: www.bearatourism.com Durrus

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