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Escorted Tours/Ireland/Beara
Peninsula/Itinerary
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Arriving at Shannon Airport, you are met by
our own transport. You will be transferred by bus to our first
nights accommodation at Glengarriff. You will have time free to
acclimatise and to see some of the town before our welcome drink
in the evening, hosted by your guide for the tour.
Please remember we may have to wait for other people
at the airport.
Our route takes us from the village to Glengarriff Nature Reserve – passing
through this ancient forest of oaks. On the way we enjoy the
views across Bantry Bay. Continuing through open hillside we
may come across turf-cutting, which is still practised in this
part of the country. Our stay this evening is back in the town
of Glengarriff.
In the morning we transfer to Adrigole where we join the Beara
Way. Following the old Castletownbere to Glengarriff coach road
we gradually rise away from the coast. Passing between the Gowlbeg
and Sugarloaf mountains we continue on toward Glengarrif and
follow roads across the peat bogs and into the state forests.
On our journey today we once again have superb views over Bantry
Bay, and the opportunity to see some sites of archaeological
interest, such as standing stones and a wedge tomb. Descending
in the afternoon we return to our base in Glengariff and a well-deserved
meal.
Leaving Adrigole in the morning we transfer to Castletownbere,
following the Ring of Beara coast road. From Castletownbere we
take a small ferry to Bere Island and enjoy an 18km walk around
the island. On our way today we can see signs of the history
of this strategic island - including signal and defensive towers.
We also have views back to the mainland to the mountains of the
Beara Peninsula.
Following our return to the mainland we have time
to visit Castletownbere before we transfer to our overnight stop
at the picturesque town of Eyeries.
We drive to Castletownbere in the morning and once again walk
on the Beara Way to the village of Allihies. On the way you have
time to see the Derrintaggart stone circle, a large ringfort,
a megalithic wedge grave and several standing stones. We continue
to Allihies through forested sections of the Beara Way. Upon
reaching Allihies we have the opportunity to walk up to the site
of the old copper mines, which were in use from 1813 - 1883.
You have the opportunity to view some of the old mineshafts and
machinery, including the 1862 winding engine house
In the evening we return to our accommodation at
Eyeries.
A short drive along the coast road brings to the tip of the Beara
Peninsula at Ballaghboy. From here we take Ireland’s only
cable car across Dursey Sound to Dursey Island. We take an
easy walk over the string of hills that make up this island.
At the far western end of the island are some spectacular cliffs
which afford superb views and on a clear day you may be able
to spy the Skelligs. As we walk along the coastal paths you
will be treated to the sight of various seabirds oin this bird
sanctuary, and hopefully the sight of dolphins playing in the
waters below.
We return again by cable car and transfer back
to Eyeries for dinner and our overnight stop.
On this, our final day’s walking, we cross into the county
of Kerry. Starting from the lovely harbour of Lauragh, we ascend
past Knockatee Hill and up toward the central spine of the Beara
Peninsula. We have lovely views back down to the coast and across
Kenmare Bay to the Iveragh Peninsula and Ireland’s highest
peaks. Passing the Clonee Loughs we take a short detour to see
an old stone circle before returning to the main path and heading
into the scenic valley of Gleninchiquin. A walk to the head of
the valley brings us to the Inchiquin Waterfall where we can
enjoy tea and scones (not included).
We transfer in the evening to Kenmare, which is
situated on the Iveragh peninsula and overlooked by the MacGillycuddy
Reeks. After enjoying our dinner there is the opportunity to
head into town to enjoy the local hostelries and hopefully some
ceoil, caint agus craic (Irish music, chat and goodtimes)!
Transfer back to Shannon Airport for your return flight.
7 nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish
Tourist Board approved hotels and guesthouses (normally with
en-suite facilities).
Meals consist of a full Irish breakfast each day,
packed lunch and a two/three course meal each evening. Drinks
are not included.
Luggage transfer each day, route description and
maps and a general map of Kerry.
Transfer to and from Shannon Airport.
For more information on Ireland visit the Tourism Ireland website at www.ireland.ie.
Day
1 (Arrival)
Day
4 (18km Bere Island Walk)
Day
7 (14km Lauragh to Gleninchiquin)
