Beara Peninsula

Today we drove the Beara Peninsula, steeped in myths and legends. The mountains and valleys are rich in archaeological sites such as stone circles, wedge graves and other relics from the past. With scenic lakes cradled by gorgeous mountains and a rugged coastline. The Beara Way passes through the Allihies village were we stayed for the evening last night. The Beara Peninsula is renowned for its beautiful scenery, quietude, and fun-filled towns and villages. We drove through Glengarriff then Bantry with it's scenic harbour. From Eyeries, we headed along one of the most scenic drives in Ireland viewing the Atlantic Ocean from Coulagh Bay and the with the Skellig Islands rising from the sea. The last of the villages we passed through were Castletown Bearhaven and Glengarriff.

Looking back over Allihies the village we stayed in last night

Derrintaggart West Stone Circle believed to have been built between 1500 and 500BC approximately 3,000 years old constructed as a ceremonial or ritual site. The diameter is 7 metres, made of 10 upright stones and at least 5 fallen stones. The axial, or recumbent, stone is at the west end (280°) of the circle and is 1.30 metres tall. The two entrance stones are on the east side (100°) of the arrangement, they are 1.90 metres and 2.20 metres tall, with the taller being towards east.

With all this sunshine I had to play with the shadows

Teernahillane Ring Fort was just 1 km up the road from the stone circle about 6 feet high in a flat large paddock. It is hard to think what may have been the purpose of the fort as it is not high up on mountain or cliff as other forts we have visited are. Therefore it may have not been used for fortification as the others have been that we have visited.

More views of the peninsula

These amazing fuchsias grow wild along the sides of the lanes and roads