Southwest Ireland Highlights

Killarney & Gougane Barra (A)

Nestling on the shores of Lake Leane, the town of Killarney sits amidst a stunning backdrop of mountains and lakes. A warm up ride through the Killarney National Park is a great way to start exploring the area – there are three lakes and the magnificent Muckross House. The ride from Killarney through the Gap of Dunloe is rewarded with superb views of the surrounding countryside. The only other traffic through the Gap is by way of ponies and carts.  East of Killarney a wonderful ride leads you to the enchanting Gougane Barra Forest Park in its picture postcard setting.

(Picture shows the Gap of Dunloe)

Mizen Head & Sheep's Head (B)

Bantry at the head of Bantry Bay is a fishing port and market town.  West of Bantry the Sheeps Head peninsula which juts out into the Atlantic like a long, narrow finger offers plenty of great coastal riding. South of Sheeps Head is Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southerly point. The 700ft cliffs are a marvellous vantage point to appreciate the views. At Barley Cove, perhaps the most beautiful beach of the Mizen Peninsula, an extensive landscape of sand dunes stretches far inland. Opposite Crookhaven, a village located in a sheltered bay in the very southwest of the Mizen Peninsula lies Rock Island, with its beautiful Crookhaven Lighthouse.

(Picture shows Mizen Head)

Glengarriff and the Beara Peninsula (C)

North around the coast from Bantry Glengarrriff (the rugged glen) is an oasis of lush woodland at the head of an island dotted inlet. The warming influence of the Gulf Stream allows palm trees and sub-tropical flowers to flourish in the sheltered parts of the valley. Just offshore, and easily reached by boat, Garinish Island is definitely worth a visit.To the west of Glengarriff the rugged Beara Peninsula was once a haven for rum smugglers. At the western tip of the peninsula a cable car travels across to Dursey Island with its ruined castle and sea bird colonies. From the Healy Pass which cuts a jagged path across the spine of the Caha Mountains, there are wonderful views of Bantry Bay and the rugged West Cork landscape. The ride over the pass is superb.

(Picture shows descent from the Healy Pass)

The Ring of Kerry (D)

West from the bustling resort town of Kenmare the road that hugs the northern shore of the Kenmare River is part of the famous Ring of Kerry route that follows the coast around the Iveragh Peninsula passing through Sneem, Waterville and Cahirciveen. The road over Coolmanspig Pass leads to Portmagee from where a bridge crosses the narrow strait to Valentia Island. From Portamagee there are sea trips to the offshore Skellig Islands. On Skellig Michael, a 100 year old stone stairway gives access to one of the most magnificent monastic sites in Europe, with stone beehive huts, oratories, cemeteries, stone crosses, holy wells and the church of St. Michael. Inland from Portmagee, the road around Lough Caragh amongst the wooded foothills of McGillicuddy’s Reeks travels through some of Killarney’s finest mountain scenery.

(picture shows road towards McGillicuddy’s Reeks)

The Dingle Peninsula  (E)

The Dingle Peninsula scenery is sublime, and there is a wealth of Iron Age stone forts, oratories, beehive huts and inscribed stones. Dingle Town is a jumble of attractive streets that tumble down the hillside to the harbour. There are plenty of lively pubs in the town. The highest point of the peninsula, Brandon Mountain, crowns a chain of hills that plunges straight into the sea in dramatic fashion at Brandon Head.   From Slea Head and from Dunmore Head, Ireland’s most westerly point, there are great views of the offshore Blasket Islands. North of Dingle, the Conor Pass, the highest mountain pass in Ireland, links the north and south shores of the peninsula. From Dingle the road winds up the sides of a great green bowl to a height of 450m, giving wonderful coastal views all the way, before corkscrewing down to Brandon Bay past cliffs, lakes and a dazzling waterfall.

(picture shows views on ride around Slea Head)