Beara Peninsula in April 2016

Schalker · Member

Beara Peninsula in April 2016

murphy · Guru

Hi!
We have visited Beara during 2 trips to Ireland and it is my favorite scenic part of Ireland.
As for lunch, Josie's tea room comes to mind! It is not too far from Darreen Gardens if I remember right. We had THEE most delicious scones with clotted cream one afternoon with tea, of course. Didn't have lunch there, but see good reviews on TA so based on the quality of the scones, I wouldn't hesitate to have lunch there. (Michele may chime in with more info about that)
Healy pass is not to be missed if the weather is clear, and likewise not too far from the gardens or Josie's. We spent over an hour there, wandering around the rocks, with our GD in Oct 2014, and while there are no obvious organized walking trails that we noticed, the chance for an outing with a panoramic view in all directions at the summit is second to none!
Another bucket list activity for us is the Dursey cable car located at the far end of the peninsular that you can ride to Dursey island. There may be an opportunity for walks there also. You must compete with livestock for a ride,(they get first dibs for a spot!) and you need to check their schedule carefully. The first time we were there over noon hour and they had shut down for a couple of hours. The 2nd time, we were there on an off day in Oct. We didn't realize that they run every other day after Oct 1.
I could easily spend a week on Beara Peninsular and fully intend to do so some day!
Regards,
Dan

tony2phones · Guru

See http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50006301/bunratty-to-beara/?page=1#lastPostAnchor for a great go list.

Schalker · Member

Thank you very much for your reply and pse excuse my bad English :o)

Michele Erdvig · Host

I recommend Josie's too. It is in a beautiful setting on a lake. More info: http://tinyurl.com/pvpgwpv

Derreen Gardens is more of a woodland walk and doesn't have formal gardens. But it is very scenic and enjoyable. Just wear appropriate footwear. Actually, the Beara Peninsula could take up an entire day, depending on what you do. I also recommend Ilnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island in Glengarriff and Gleninchaquin Park.

Schalker · Member

Thank you all for your input.

We go to Ireland every year for a week in March /April and have seen parts of the Beara Peninsula already (Glengariff HealyPass etc)

This year we are spending a full week on the Beara Peninsula and were looking for walks and good pubs /restaurants on one day when we are going to Dereen Gardens.
Think we ll try Josies at the Glanmore Lake and see wether we can walk the Rabach Glen as half day walk and the gardens the other half.

We rent a car but dont do so much driving its just to bring us to the points off the beaten track.

So thank you again some of it will surely fit in one of our days planning.

Green Dragon · Guru

We spent a day exploring Beara, and we found a forest and just started walking the trails. We reached the top of the hill and found two stone circles on the cleared mountaintops! There are lots of places to explore on the Ring, most of them not tourist places.

Michele Erdvig · Host

There are hikes around Glengarriff. If you drive up to Barley Lake there are hiking trails there too. Good food in the Park Bistro in the Glengarriff Park Hotel. Another pub to check out on the Beara Peninsula is Teddy O'Sullivan's near Lauragh. Hiking at Gleninchaquin too.