BEARA PENINSULA

Here are blue waters far below on one side and the majestic 'wall' of the incredibly folded Caha Moutnains on the other. The further you go the more dramatic the sea views and the more torturous the mountains.

Further on the peninsula is cut in half by taking the spectacular Healy Pass. A twisting, alpine style road with drops on one side snakes up the awesome 'wall' of the Caha Mountains, finally popping through the pass at the top to reveal County Kerry and the picturesque Glanmore Lough far below (not for the faint hearted).

Alternatively, straight on will take you to Castletownbere (Baile Chaisleain Bhearra), an important fishing port with the Slieve Miskish Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop.

The northern side of the Beara takes you through an attractive scenery, more tranquil than the wilder south, through the small village of Lauragh (An Laitreach), (where you would arrive if taking the breath-taking Healy Pass short cut) and on to Kenmare.