The Most Famous Peninsulas of Ireland

Ards Peninsulaand winds its way around in an oval shape
Located in County Down, the Ards Peninsulathrough the Healy Pass, Castletownbere and
creates a beautiful vista with Strangford Loughending in the magnificent scenic town of Glengariff
shaping an almost semi-circular peninsula lookingin County Cork. Castletownbere is a busy deep
out at the Irish Sea. It is without doubt the mostsea fishing port and of the side effects of this is
unusual shaped peninsula on the island of Ireland,the presence on very narrow roads of large
most of whom are more sharply fjord-likearticulated fridges taking fish for export or the
defined. The Ards Peninsula is well populated withDublin markets. The drivers of these awesome
busy town of Newtownards to the north of itmachines don't take prisoners- just give way
being the largest settlement. Portaferry is a lovelywhen you see one! This driving route is known as
village to the south where there is a car ferry tothe Ring of Beara and not be missed. Both ends
allow you cross to the County Down mainland.of it are great stopping points. Kenmare is a jewel
Another very attractive village located there isin the Kerry crown; a sophisticated intimate town,
Portavogie and the peninsula is a good base forgiving off an aura of opulence. Fine hotels, spas
sea fishing in the Irish Sea and the Strangfordand designer boutiques abound, whilst the
Lough itself. Newtownards has a wide variety ofrestaurant and pub scene are above average in
accommodation whilst further south hotelquality. Glengariff is much smaller but all the more
accommodation is lacking but more thanbeautiful for it and the spectacular landscape
compensated by the many guesthouse and B&Bsreminds one of the hills surrounding Monte Carlo.
that provide a warm welcome and give theThe Beara Peninsula may be less well-known than
visitor. Sights to see include Grey Abbey, which isits Dingle counterpart but it is no less spectacular
the ruins of an old Cistercian Monastery, andand beguiling.
Mount Stewart, which is an 18th century mansionInishowen Peninsula
and gardens open to the public in the summerThe Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal is the
period.largest peninsula by land mass in Ireland at 884
square kilometres. It is formed by Lough Swilly to
The most famous and visited peninsula in Ireland,the west and Lough Foyle to the east in County
the Dingle Peninsula is located in the heartland ofDerry. There is a vast variety of attractions,
tourism in Ireland, County Kerry. There so manytowns and villages in the peninsula. Buncrana
attractions on this stretch of coastline that they(population about 5,000) and
merit a book in its own right. Foremost is theCarndonagh(population 2,000) are the two largest
beautiful town of Dingle, a town of about 2,000towns with other towns dotted around the
people that swells to about two million, it appears,perimeter such as Moville, Newtowncunningham
in the summer months. The town offers so manyand the fishing port of Greencastle. The
attractions and is a perfect base for explorationmagnificent vista that is Malin Head is at the tip of
of the general Kerry area. Lively pubs, a welter ofthe peninsula.
accommodation from hostels to the five-starThere is excellent accommodation available all
Dingle Skelligs Hotel, a vast range of restaurantsacross Inishowen but Derry City is also a good
to rival Kinsale in neighbouring Cork as gourmetlocation at the neck of Inishowen Peninsula.
capital of Ireland make Dingle a compulsory stopGolfers are catered by the magnificent links
on any holiday in the area.courses at Ballyliffin, one of which was designed
One of the driving highlights of the Dingle Peninsulaby Nick Faldo.
is negotiating the Conor Pass, the highestCooley Peninsula
mountain pass in Ireland, across the top of MountLocated in North County Louth, the Cooley
Brandon at almost 1,000 metres. On a good ayPeninsula winds its way east from Dundalk to
the views are stunning although good days areGreenore and back west to Newry City via
hard to come by as fog at the peak is a frequentCarlingford and Omeath. The Tain Trail is a popular
occurrence. Off the coast lie the Blasket Islandswalking trail that incorporates locations from the
(see our Islands of Ireland section). The Dinglefamous legends of Fionn Mc Cumhaill and the
Peninsula is perfect for walking, hiking, climbing,Brown Bull of Cooley mythology.
fishing, golfing, sailing - you name it and it will beIn between are the stunning Cooley Mountains
probably in existence on the Dingle Peninsula.from which there are views across Carlingford
There are some really quaint character villages onBay to their counterparts, the Mournes, in County
the Dingle Peninsula. Ventry is the home ofDown. Greenore is a busy port handling container
famous footballer Paidi O'Se whose Ventry Innand open cargo including livestock. The beautiful
pub is a must see. Inch, with its vast strand, wasmedieval heritage village of Carlingford, with its
the location of the film Ryan's Daughter, whilstnarrow streets and the magnificent St John's
Annascaul, Ballyferriter and Ballydavid offerCastle are a compelling reason to stop a few
stunning vistas and traditional pubs and shopsdays and base yourself here. The Cooley
from a bygone era. One of the great drives inMountains provide great walking and hiking trails
Ireland, the Dingle Peninsula will leave you withand at Carlingford Marina, boat hire is available.
only one desire - to return.Accommodation is good as well as the many
The Beara Peninsulaguesthouses that are available. Omeath is a small
The Beara Peninsula lies in the South West ofvillage on the road to Newry with access to
Ireland, to the south of the Dingle Peninsula. PartCarlingford Lough. Passenger ferries run to
of the land mass lies in County Kerry and theWarrenpoint on the north side of the lough and
other larger part in County Cork. Kenmare Baythere is speculation that a bridge may connect the
creates the northern boundary and Bantry Baytwo in the future. Greenore Golf Club and
the southern perimeter. Down the centre of theBallymacscanlon Hotel and Golf Club provide
peninsula lie two mountain ranges, the Cahaexcellent opportunities to hit the small white ball
Mountains and the Slive Miskish Mountains. Theand there are a number of equestrian centres in
terrain is quite rough and scattered with the Gulfthe peninsula area. Most of the views are quite
Stream enabling foliage and fauna unknown in thestunning and the area is dubbed "Killarney of the
rest of Ireland to thrive in the benign air. It isNorth". For a spectacular drive, take the journey
good walking territory but rutted and wild and forfrom Omeath across the Cooley Mountains back
seasoned trekkers only. There is a wonderfulto Dundalk.
driving route through it that starts in Kenmare