Here is a list of some of the activities in the local surrounding region. Beara is on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare River to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. Beara boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland and the world, with the wild and untamed nature of the place and the magical coastline.
All activities and attraction’s are within one hour drive from Allihies. We have started the circuit in Allihies moving on to Dursey and Garnish, through Castletownbere, Adrigole, Glengarriff and back through Kenmare, Lauragh, Ardgroom and Eyeries.
This list was compiled by the Allihies Copper Mine Museum staff and we are more than happy to assist you with any further enquiries or booking information.
info@allihiesconnects.com / + 353 (0) 27 73218 www.acmm.ie
Allihies Village setting for the Gathering 2013
(Allihies Village. Setting for the Gathering 12th to 15th September 2013)
Discover the vast mythology and mystery that the locality has to offer! Explore the Mine Museum and take a look in the museum gallery that showcases some of the many talented artists living in Allihies and the surrounding area. Indulge in the Copper Café or have an adventure with horse trekking and admire the stunning coastal views with a ramble along some of our many beautiful walking trails and beaches. Uncover the site where the legendary ‘Children of Lir’ are said to be buried. Experience the gifts that the deep blue sea has to offer by diving into the depths with the local diving school or spend the day relaxing on the rocks with a sea angling tour! Take the time to unwind with local traditional Irish music held in the local pubs at weekends.
Allihies Mine
Garnish and Dursey Island
The cable car in Dursey Sound to the island is the only one in Ireland, operation runs from 9am until 8pm throughout the summer. Activities on the island include bird, whale and dolphin watching, picnic baskets can be collected from the Allihies Copper Mine Museum and guided tours are available from Easter through the summer months.
Information about tours and attractions +353 (0)27 73218 or e-mail info@allihiesconnects.com
Garnish has beautiful beaches and is just a stones throw away from Dursey, looking out across the sea towards Allihies. Garnish is believed to be the first landing place of ‘The Celts’ in Ireland.
Dursey Island on the Beara Peninsula
Dzogchen Beara
A Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre just 10 mins drive from Allihies. The spiritual direction being Sogyal Rinpoche, author of award winning ‘ The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’.
Visitors and guests are welcome to attend the daily classes which offer a basic introduction to Buddhist meditation and guided meditations for developing Loving Kindness. There are numerous retreats throughout the year. Dzogchen Beara also provides beautiful and peaceful accommodation with exceptional views across the ocean.
+353 (0)27 73032 http://www.dzogchenbeara.org/ / info@dzogchenbeara.org
dzogchen beara
Castletownbere
The Béara Peninsula has had a long connection with the sea; Castletownbere is one of Ireland’s largest fishing ports and has diving, sailing and boating facilities. There are numerous cafes and pubs serving the freshest seafood on offer! Also why not have a drink in the original, world renowned traditional Irish bar McCarthys! We are spoilt for choice here in Beara for art and alternative therapies, including local yoga, acupuncture, and seaweed spa treatments. There is a farmers market every Thursday in the main town square.
On the Béara Peninsula, we are gifted to have such spectacular rolling hills and captivating views, many consider it to be a golfer’s paradise! The Castletownbere Golf club is a testing 9-hole course, 3 holes of which are played across water.
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Dunboy Castle
Take a stroll beneath the trees and around the beautiful surroundings of the partially renovated Puxley family mansion. The Puxley family is synonymous with the Allihies copper mines. Discover the ruins of the O’Sullivan Bere Castle and learn about the famous ‘ Siege of Dunboy’ which took place in the summer of 1602 one of the most infamous sieges in Ireland’s history.
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Bere Island
After the idyllic short ferry crossing to Bere island visit the Martello towers, Holy cross or the Ardnakinna Lighthouse, or perhaps take a stroll on one of the many foot-trails included in the ‘Beara Way’
Adrigole
Just a short drive from Castletownbere there are numerous out-door activities to entertain the visitor in Adrigole. Why not try out sea kayaking or some other boating activities! The area being host to the highest waterfall in Ireland, The Mares tail was used in a scene of Neil Jordan’s latest movie Byzantium. Carry on your tour towards Glengarriff or discover what lies ahead on the ‘Healy Pass’ route over the mountains with spectacular picturesque views of Glenmore Lake and the Kerry Mountains.
Glengarriff
Another beautiful stopping point on the ‘Beara Way’ is this quaint little Irish village with ample shopping opportunities, restaurants and exceptional scenic harbour views of the almost exotic Garnish Island. The woods of Glengarriff are home to the oldest oak trees in Ireland. While on the drive towards Kenmare do not forget to stop at the ewe sculpture garden, it contains a wonderful variety of sculptures developed from re-cycled or natural materials!
Ewe Garden
IRELAND’s #1 GARDEN The Irish Times THE EWE SCULPTURE GARDENS http://www.theewe.com/
+ 353 (0) 27 63840
Glengariff Golf Club http://www.glengarriffgolfclub.com/
Garnish Island
Garnish Island (Ilnacullin Garinish or Garnish) is located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff it is world renowned for its gardens which are laid out in beautiful walks and it has some stunning specimen plants which are rare in this climate.
Take the Garnish Island Ferry from Glengarriff Pier to visit this amazing island garden. The very sheltered ferry trip includes a wonderful visit to seal island where you will visit the very tame seal colony.
Kenmare
Kenmare is a lovely town with a warm atmosphere about a half hour drive from Glengarriff the road takes you on a stunning journey through tunnels carved into the the mountains and across into Kerry. There are numerous beautiful hotels with luxurious 5* spa treatment facilities. Kenmare serves some of the best food and wines on offer anywhere in Ireland also there are weekly farmers markets every Wednesday and plenty of out door activities on offer. The town has a big tourism industry which comes complete with beautiful quaint boutiques , art galleries and coffee shops.
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Skellig Islands
While you’re here in Ireland why not visit one of the jewels in Irelands crown! On the summit of this awe-inspiring rock you will find a remarkably well preserved sixth century monastic settlement. On the spectacular Small Skellig Islands 23,000 pairs of gannets nest on every available ledge making it the second largest gannet colony in the world. A visit to this major tourist attraction may well be the highlight of your holiday.
Skelligs as seen from Allihies
Lauragh
Lauragh is the middlepoint between Allihies and Kenmare, where the Healy Pass meets the road on the other side of the mountain. Is is home to the tallest birch in Ireland and also the oldest writings on a stone in Ireland can be found on an Ogham stone here it actually pre-dates any other ogham stones to be found anywhere.
In the bay of Lauragh and Ardgroom fresh water mussels can be found, most of which are over 100 years old, the oldest living shellfish on the Beara peninsula. The rivers in Lauragh are reputed to be some of the best Salmon and Trout fishing grounds in Ireland.
Derreen Gardens Lauragh
The Gardens at Dereen in Lauragh boast mature and varied woodland, which open out to reveal wonderful views of Kilmacalogue Harbour, the Caha Mountains and the distant MacGillycuddy Reeks. They have an enormous selection of rare specimens of shrubs and trees. Well worth the stop and there is a lovely coffee shop also.
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Ardgroom and Eyeries
Just a few minutes by car journey from Lauragh you will come to the small but pleasant village of Ardgroom which has a wonderful shop with a great supply of wines and whole foods. This particular area of the ‘Beara Way’ is very rich in archaeological sites such as the ‘Hag of Beara’ and the tallest Ogham stone in the world. There are numerous artists, wood turners and jewellery makers in the area producing beautiful works of art indigenous to the locality.
Eyeries is the last village on the Beara Way trail back to Allihies. It is a brightly coloured place and you will always be met with a warm welcome, there are traditional Irish bars that have music most weekends throught the summer and they also have a wonderful summer festival with Gaelic dancing and numerous childrens activities and angling competitions. Their reputation proceeds them on Beara for their community spirit and dedication to their successful tidy towns awards.
Allihies Connects, events for the gathering.
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