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Tourists exploring the stunning country of Ireland frequently opt for the 1,600-mile Wild Atlantic Way route – often overlooking a far quieter yet equally beautiful peninsula.

Nestled in Ireland's southwest, straddling Cork and Kerry, lies the spectacular Beara Peninsula, renowned for its coastal route, the Ring of Beara. The region boasts some of the country's most dramatic and picturesque landscapes, framed by the Caha Mountains and the peaceful Slieve Miskish Mountains.

This corner of Ireland is believed to capture how the country appeared years ago – both peaceful and untouched. The narrow roads cannot accommodate large tour coaches, meaning it remains largely unspoiled by mass tourism, attracting only the most adventurous travellers instead.

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Visitors to the peninsula often tackle the Beara Way, a 128-mile trail suitable for both walking and cycling. This impressive circular route begins and concludes in Glengarriff, guiding you around the entire peninsula in its full splendour.

Along this loop, you can glimpse the charming Dursey Island, accessible only by cable car – the sole transport of its type in all of Ireland.

Celebrated as a premier whale watching location, the island is remarkably remote, featuring only a monastic church, a signal tower and castle ruins.

One visitor who completed the route described it as "well worth the time spent". Their TripAdvisor review reads: "We actually did the drive and not the walk, but it was amazing, especially Healy Pass. Do try and make the time for this; I think you will be richly rewarded."

Another traveller said: "Absolutely breathtaking views on this walk, the green fields, the sound of the sea and the singing of the birds. Its really a magical place. Definitely worth doing."

Nestled within the peninsula are several stunning villages, enveloped entirely by Beara's untamed landscape. Visitors frequently choose these locations as their base for discovering the region and enjoying hearty meals in authentic Irish pubs.

Castletownbere stands as the largest town in the area, maintaining its role as an important fishing harbour. Meanwhile, holidaymakers are regularly attracted to the charming settlements of Eyeries and Allihies, both celebrated for their brightly painted cottages and coastal charm.

The region boasts a fascinating heritage believed to stretch back more than 5,000 years, housing numerous ancient sites and upwards of 500 archaeological locations.

Along your journey, you'll encounter attractions beloved by heritage enthusiasts, including 70 standing stones, wedge tombs and the popular Uragh Stone Circle.

After exploring the ancient landmark, one visitor shared: "On this trip to southwest Ireland we became stone circle fanatics. Although the smallest stone circle of the hundreds in Ireland, Uragh was easily our favourite due to its isolation and gorgeous setting."

They went on to describe it as "one of the loveliest places" they had ever been to, noting they had the entire site to themselves. This highlights just how tranquil and unspoilt the Beara Peninsula remains compared to Ireland's more crowded tourist attractions.