We will have only one day to explore Beara peninsula…

Now, I realize that we cannot see all the Beara in one day – so what are the ‘must-see’ places? What is a good itinerary that will allow us to explore it, get a good feel of it without rushing? We do not have time for the cable car to Dursey Island – so that is out.

Aaroadwatch shows for the entire loop Kenmare – R571 (North Side) - Dursey Head – R572 (South Side) - Kenmare about 100 miles and 4 hrs drive. With multiple stops, that might be 8 hrs for us, but we’ll be there in August, so daylight should not be a problem.

But by taking that itinerary, we would miss the Healy Pass. I think the only way to incorporate Healy Pass is to decide if the North or South side of the Beara ring is more interesting/spectacular. What do you think?
Thanks

The rub here is you want to start and finish in Kenmare. I would start out on the N-571 go over the pass then in Adrigole turn west and make a clockwise loop. You will be backtracking for a portion of the trip and you will miss a lovely drive on the N-71 between Kenmare and Glengarriff but with only one day and having to end up back in Kenmare your options are limited. The Healy Pass is spectacular and you can't miss it. The first time I drove it my wife had to get in the back seat and two years ago when we got to the top there was a sports car rally and they all raced down from the top heading south a brakeneck speed. The rest of the drive is easy and well marked and you might have more time then you think. Have fun

John,
Thanks – and I think I found a solution

The following day we will drive to Shull (base for 2 nights for Mizen and Sheep’s Head). So for Beara, we will stick with the itinerary you suggested, and the following day we will drive the Caha Pass through Glengariff, then explore Sheep’s Head on the way to Schull. Does this sound doable?

Now….why did your wife had to move into the back seat? Is she afraid of heights? I am…is that a problem on the Healy Pass???

I thought the Healy Pass was pretty tame as compared to the Conor Pass in Dingle. We took the pass from Adrigole north. I remember when we reached the top there was a wind tunnel affect. There was a car with two ladies -- when they opened their door to get out, it sucked all the loose papers from the car. It was pretty funny.

John's route should work for you.

Well….heights or not, we’re doing both the Connor Pass and the Healy Pass. Glad I figured out Beara route. And I’ll be careful with the map and other papers in the car…

And Budman, thanks to you and wojazz, we’re staying at the Shores – can’t wait! Yes, we got the ‘balcony’ room

Sounds good to me, I love the Mts along the N-71 south of Killarney. There are two stone tunnels carved out of the rock. Shull is nice. If you need lunch there is a nice spot called Herons Cove in Goleen. A very good restaraunt for an out of the way place. Right on the water if the tides right. Budman, we first did Healy in 1997, north to south and she couldn't look over the edge. Did Connor last year, they have improved the road, wide now with guardrails. The EU is going to ruin Ierland. Have fun

John,
Thanks for the lunch tip – always interested in good places for lunch or dinner. Is there a ‘better’ way – north to south or the other way around – to drive the Healy Pass and the Connor Pass?

xyz-
Besides bookmarking this for my own Beara loop (thanks JOHNOD ) Advice I received on preferance for the Healy Pass is north to south.

As for the Connor Pass, we went over it from South to North -Dingletown to Castlegregory- while still under construction. It was a dark and rainy drive and luck was with us as we ended up behind one of the construction trucks content to toodle along behind and goggle in amazement as we (us AND the truck) were passed like we were standing still right in the middle of the whole thing!

IMHO- I would much rather be heading north. The views are great (there is a pull out on your side that comes up rather quickly that shouldn't be missed if the weather is good...we missed it )and at the narrowest spot I would rather not feel as if I were going to scrape the mountain at any moment.

We will be going each way on the pass soon as we head into Dingle from the Shores...and back, it will be interesting to see the completed roadwork.

Our stay at the Shores was wonderful thanks to Budman & Wojazz. We had our pick of rooms and I had remembered about the balcony-it is a wonderful room with amazing views and we have requested it again for April!

Good luck- I look forward to your trip report-
Dawn

12perfectdays,
I’ve been following your posts, too – especially the one on Mizen, Beara and Sheep’s Head.
And since you’re going in April…I’m looking forward for your trip report. Have a great trip!

In my opinion (and I verified this with my wife's impression) the Conor Pass is MORE unnerving than the Healy. Our recollection of the Healy is that it was much WIDER and OPEN than the Conor, where the steep mountainside presses against one side of the road and the STEEP 'drop-off' lines the other.
We haven't driven the Conor since the road work has been done, though. Also, we DO remember that the top of Healy was REALLY windy...
Bob

On our June trip we found the Beara Peninsula very convenient to/from Kenmare.

In one day...starting a bit after 9am...we drove to Glengariff and caught the ferry out to Garnish Island and enjoyed exploring a couple hours then drove Beara Peninsula to Healy Pass...drove Healy Pass, not scarey...lots of switch backs winding all the way up...spectacular at the top. We then had a nice lunch in Ardgroom.

We got back to Kenmare in time to do some shopping and relaxing before we headed out for the evening...it was a very relaxed day...great scenery.

If you didn't visit Garnish Island you could definately get in more time on Beara...but we all did enjoy our time on Garnish Island.

Chip,
Garnish Island was on our original list…but that was when I thought we would have 2 days in Beara (when I thought that ½ day would be enough for the Gap of Dunloe). The need for a full day for the Gap of Dunloe meant a day lost from Beara. So I don’t think we’ll have time for the Garnish Island and what looks like a beautiful garden. This means we’ll need to go back to Ireland for a second trip, right?

Itallian_Chauffer,
I read in several places that the Connor Pass was ‘improved’ – not sure if that’s good or bad (I realize that a lot of places in the word are so beautiful because they are so inaccessible), but that’s a different story. Anyway, does the improved road have railings? I saw pictures taken from the Connor Pass – so scary or not, afraid of heights or not, I know we will drive it. But would be nice to know what to expect…
Thanks