Beara (Irish: Béarra) or the Beara Peninsula is a peninsula on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare "river" (actually a bay) to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. It has two mountain ranges running down its centre: the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish Mountains. The northern part of the peninsula from Kenmare to near Ardgroom is in County Kerry, while the rest forms the barony of Bear in County Cork.
History
Beara was the traditional seat of power of the O'Sullivan Beare and was one of the last points of native Irish resistance after the Battle of Kinsale. Allihies, on the tip of Beara, later became major copper mines and featured in the Daphne du Maurier novel Hungry Hill, also made into a film.A plaque placed by the Beara historical Society offers the following to explain the origin of the name:
- In the early centuries AD, Conn Céad Cathach (Con of the hundred battles) fought a fierce battle against Owen Mór, King of Ireland at Cloch Barraige. Owen was badly injured in the battle. Those of his followers who survived took him to Inis Greaghraighe (now known as Bere Island) as a safe place for him to recover. There, the fairy Eadaoin took him to her grianán (bower) where she nursed him back to full health. Nowadays, this place is known as Greenane.
- Owen and his followers then sailed southwards until they reached Spain. There he met and married Beara, daughter of the King of Castille.
- Later Owen, Beara and a large army sailed from Spain and landed in Greenane. Owen took his wife to the highest hill on the island and looking across the harbour he named the island and the whole peninsula 'Beara' in honour of his wife. Rossmacowen, Kilmacowen and Buaile Owen most likely are named after Owen Mór and his son. According to local tradition Owen’s wife, Princess Beara, died and was buried in Ballard Commons in the remote and peaceful valley between Maulin and Knocknagree Mountains.
25 things you should know about Beara
1.The Celts first landed in Ireland at Garnish near the westernmost end of the peninsula.2. The Beara Peninsula was named after a Spanish princess, Princess Beara.
3. The highest waterfall in Ireland and the UK is the Mare's Tail in Adrigole.
4, The warmest place in Ireland is by Adrigole Bridge in Adrigole.
5. The oldest writing on a stone in Ireland is pre-Ogham and can be found in Glentastel, Lauragh.
6. Berehaven harbour is the second safest natural harbour in the world.
7. The Cailleach Beara is one of the oldest mythological antiquities in Ireland.
8. The four mythological Children of Lir are buried in Allihies.
9. 511 historical sites, some dating back to 2000 B.C. can be found on the Beara Peninsula, making it the location of one of the highest number of antiquities in one area in Ireland. Bonane Valley has many fine examples.
10. The Beara Peninsula is the only peninsula in Ireland that is located in two counties -- Cork and Kerry.
11. O Sullivan Beare is the only Irish chieftain whom Queen Elizabeth I of England did not pardon after the battle of Kinsale .
12. O Sulivan Beare's march in 1603 is the most famous march in Irish history.
13. The freshwater mussels that live in the Ardgroom area are over 100 years old--the oldest living shellfish on the peninsula.
14. In 1796, the French longboat landed in Bere island and Wolfe Tone anchored in Berehaven harbour at the same time.
15. In 1914, Berehaven harbour was the most fortified harbour in western Europe with the cannons on bere Island.
16. After one hundred years of being mined, the copper mines in Allihies are so deep and extensive that they go under the sea.
17. The Dursey Cable Car is the only cable car in Ireland.
18. The Glengarriff Forest is home to the oldest oak trees in Ireland.
19. The Beara Peninsula is home to one of the rarest birds in Ireland -- the Chough.
20. Ballydonegan in Allihies is the only beach in Ireland made from crushed stone; the stone was taken from the copper mines
21 The tallest birch in Ireland is a downy birch, 25m high growing in Lauragh
22 The tallest ogham stone in the world can be found in Eyeries.
23 In the Viking age Dursey Island was used as a slave depot.
24 Blackball in Cahermore was a volcanic area.
25 The Beara Peninsula is the most scenic route in Ireland.
