UPDATED TOUR
Expect breathtaking scenery, wild seascapes and colourful villages on our scenic tour of County Cork and County Kerry as we travel along the spectacular Ring of Beara. We also spend a day visiting beautiful Cape Clear Island and spend time at the Skibbereen Heritage Centre, Molly Gallivan’s Cottage and stunning Bantry House & Gardens. Choose from hotels in either scenic Bantry or Kenmare.
Watch this video to take a look at Bantry House & Garden
Ring of Beara – Maritime & Scenic Ireland at its Best 2025
Beara Peninsula
Garnish Island © Paul Lindsay
Cape Clear Island
Healy Pass
Molly Gallivans Visitor Centre © Failte Ireland Tourism Ireland Courtesy Brian Morrison
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival
We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 Bantry House & Garden & Garnish Island
This morning, we visit Bantry House & Garden, a family home for the past 300 years, where we have free time to explore the house and stunning formal gardens. In the afternoon guests staying at The Maritime Hotel spend the afternoon in the stunning resort of Bantry, with its semi-tropical flowers, palm trees, high mountain ridges and cascading mountain streams leading to an azure blue sea.
Guests staying at the Kenmare Bay, take the short Harbour Queen Ferry from Glengarriff to Garnish Island to see the beautiful gardens. Known around the world by horticulturists and tree lovers alike, this garden island makes a beautiful trip.
Day 3 The Ring of Beara & Molly Gallivan’s Cottage
Today we start with a scenic drive along the Atlantic Ocean, through the rugged and spectacular Beara Peninsula, Ireland’s best kept secret. Less well known than the Ring of Kerry, the Ring of Beara is full of lush natural beauty, wild landscapes, unspoilt seascapes and friendly locals. Starting from the town of Kenmare, we take in historic and colourful villages, including Adrigole and Castletownbere (where we spend free time for lunch) and the Healy Pass which offers spectacular views of Kenmare Bay to the north and Bantry Bay to the south. In the afternoon, we visit Molly Gallivan’s Cottage & Traditional Farm, where we enjoy a guided tour with tea/coffee and scones.
Day 4 Cape Clear Island & Skibbereen Heritage Centre (from The Maritime Hotel)
This morning we head to Baltimore in County Cork from where we take a 40 minute ferry journey to Cape Clear Island, Ireland’s southern-most inhabited island, with a population of 130. The journey over offers splendid views and the chance to see any passing seals and dolphins in these wildlife-rich waters. On arrival on the island, we enjoy a 1 hour minibus tour of the 3 mile long by 1 mile wide rustic island, taking in its rich history and sites of interest, before we begin our return ferry journey back to the stunning fishing village of Baltimore. We enjoy free time for lunch here before we head to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre to enjoy a 1 hour guided tour of the Famine Exhibition, where we learn about the significance of Skibbereen in terms of Famine heritage. Alternatively, instead of taking the Cape Clear ferry, you could choose to take the Queen Ferry from Glengarriff to Garnish Island as detailed in day.
For those staying at the Kenmare Bay this will be a day in Killarney.
Day 5 Departure
After breakfast, we make our way home.
Day 1 Arrival
We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 Bantry House & Garden & Garnish Island
This morning, we visit Bantry House & Garden, a family home for the past 300 years, where we have free time to explore the house and stunning formal gardens. In the afternoon guests staying at The Maritime Hotel spend the afternoon in the stunning resort of Bantry, with its semi-tropical flowers, palm trees, high mountain ridges and cascading mountain streams leading to an azure blue sea.
Guests staying at the Kenmare Bay, take the short Harbour Queen Ferry from Glengarriff to Garnish Island to see the beautiful gardens. Known around the world by horticulturists and tree lovers alike, this garden island makes a beautiful trip.
Day 3 The Ring of Beara & Molly Gallivan’s Cottage
Today we start with a scenic drive along the Atlantic Ocean, through the rugged and spectacular Beara Peninsula, Ireland’s best kept secret. Less well known than the Ring of Kerry, the Ring of Beara is full of lush natural beauty, wild landscapes, unspoilt seascapes and friendly locals. Starting from the town of Kenmare, we take in historic and colourful villages, including Adrigole and Castletownbere (where we spend free time for lunch) and the Healy Pass which offers spectacular views of Kenmare Bay to the north and Bantry Bay to the south. In the afternoon, we visit Molly Gallivan’s Cottage & Traditional Farm, where we enjoy a guided tour with tea/coffee and scones.
Day 4 Cape Clear Island & Skibbereen Heritage Centre (from The Maritime Hotel)
This morning we head to Baltimore in County Cork from where we take a 40 minute ferry journey to Cape Clear Island, Ireland’s southern-most inhabited island, with a population of 130. The journey over offers splendid views and the chance to see any passing seals and dolphins in these wildlife-rich waters. On arrival on the island, we enjoy a 1 hour minibus tour of the 3 mile long by 1 mile wide rustic island, taking in its rich history and sites of interest, before we begin our return ferry journey back to the stunning fishing village of Baltimore. We enjoy free time for lunch here before we head to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre to enjoy a 1 hour guided tour of the Famine Exhibition, where we learn about the significance of Skibbereen in terms of Famine heritage. Alternatively, instead of taking the Cape Clear ferry, you could choose to take the Queen Ferry from Glengarriff to Garnish Island as detailed in day.
For those staying at the Kenmare Bay this will be a day in Killarney.
Day 5 Departure
After breakfast, we make our way home.
The Maritime Hotel
Bantry, County Cork
A firm favourite the modern and contemporary 4 star Maritime Hotel occupies a prime position on the quayside in the waterfront town of Bantry and features wonderful décor and excellent standards of interior design. All 110 bedrooms provide a high level of comfort, and each is equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Serving Irish cuisine, the atmospheric restaurant overlooks the bay and there is a fabulous large bar with plenty of seating, including a cosy snug area. There is also a cosy library lounge.
• Lift • Extensive leisure facilities • Coach parking is off-site & free of charge
Kenmare Bay Hotel
Kenmare, County Kerry
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £518pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement from £135
Inclusions
• Return ferry crossing UK - Ireland
• Entrance to Bantry House & Gardens
• Ferry & entrance to Garnish Island
• Guided tour & tea/coffee/scones at Molly Gallivan’s Cottage
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions
The Maritime Hotel
Bantry, County Cork
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £443pp
Single Supplement from £147
Inclusions
• Return ferry crossing UK - Ireland
• Entrance to Bantry House & Gardens
• Guided tour & tea/coffee/scones at Molly Gallivan’s Cottage
• Return ferry crossing to Cape Clear Island
• 1 hour minibus tour of Cape Clear Island
• 1 hour guided tour of Skibbereen Heritage Centre
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions
Call to tailor this tour 01732 879191
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