Kenmare, The Perfect Base for Exploring the Beara Peninsula

The spectacular Beara Peninsula has been described as one of Ireland’s overlooked coastal drives in a new feature by US travel writer and podcaster Jody Halsted of Ireland Family Vacations. We may be a little biased, but we were particularly delighted to see Kenmare highlighted as one of the best places to base yourself when exploring this very special corner of Ireland.

Discovering the Beara Peninsula

Sitting across Counties Kerry and Cork, the Beara Peninsula offers some of the most spectacular scenery along Ireland’s southwest coast. While visitors from around the world are familiar with the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, Beara remains something of a hidden gem. Here you’ll find dramatic Atlantic coastline, colourful villages, winding mountain roads, ancient history, islands, walking trails and wonderful local communities, all waiting to be explored at a wonderfully unhurried pace. It is exactly this quieter, more authentic side of Ireland that Jody explores in her new feature, ‘The Beara Peninsula: A Guide to Cork and Kerry’s Overlooked Coastal Drive.’

Kenmare, Where Beara Begins

For visitors hoping to explore the peninsula, Kenmare makes a wonderful starting point. Sitting at the meeting point of the Beara and Iveragh Peninsulas, Kenmare gives visitors the best of both worlds. From here, you can spend a day discovering the Ring of Beara, travel north towards the Ring of Kerry, or simply slow down and enjoy everything Kenmare itself has to offer. Jody highlights Kenmare alongside Glengarriff and Castletownbere as an ideal base for exploring the region, noting the extraordinary choice of restaurants, cafés and bars found in our small town. From Kenmare, the Ring of Beara leads towards Lauragh, Ardgroom, Eyeries, Castletownbere and Allihies before continuing around this remarkable stretch of coastline.

And while the direct road between Kenmare and Glengarriff may be considerably quicker, taking the long way around Beara is very much part of the adventure.

The Best of Beara

The feature and accompanying podcast include local insight from Tessa Dennison, publisher of the annual Best of Beara magazine and book and a passionate advocate for this unique region. As Tessa explains, almost everyone has heard of the Ring of Kerry, while considerably fewer international visitors know about the Ring of Beara. Perhaps that is part of its magic? Beara is a place to take your time, stop in the villages, walk a section of the Beara Way, visit a local café or pub, take the ferry to Bere Island, discover its history and archaeology or pull over simply because the view is too beautiful to drive past. There really is no need to rush.

Stay a Little Longer

Jody recommends allowing at least two nights to properly experience the Beara Peninsula, and we would wholeheartedly agree. Kenmare is particularly well placed for visitors who want to combine Beara with the Ring of Kerry while returning each evening to a lively town filled with independent shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés. It is also a wonderful reminder that some of the best experiences in Ireland aren't necessarily the places everyone already knows. Sometimes, taking the road less travelled leads somewhere rather special.

Read the Full Feature & Listen to the Podcast

A huge thank you to Jody Halsted and Ireland Family Vacations for shining a light on the Beara Peninsula, and to Tessa Dennison for sharing the story of this wonderful part of southwest Ireland with an international audience.

You can read Jody’s full guide, “The Beara Peninsula: A Guide to Cork and Kerry’s Overlooked Coastal Drive,” and listen to her conversation with Tessa on the Ireland Family Vacations podcast.

Planning a visit? Make Kenmare your base and discover the Ring of Beara at your own pace at kenmare.ie