The development of the Beara-Breifne Way as a major Irish walking route is an undertaking almost as dramatic as the historical event that inspired its creation.
In 1602, the owner of Carriganass Castle, Donal Cam O’Sullivan, staged a retreat with his followers from the Battle of Kinsale. Their route brought them past Carriganass Castle, and from there they pressed on to complete a 14-day trek from the Beara peninsula to Breifne in County Leitrim. Their astonishing journey is being honoured in the development of the Beara-Breifne Way which will see hardy walkers passing through ten counties as those original walkers did (though hopefully they’ll avoid the skirmishes Donal Cam and his men met along the way!)
The Beara Way
Though the full walking route will take some years to re-create, the Beara section of the Beara-Breifne Way is complete, and Carriganass Castle is the most important of the historical monuments on its map.
When you visit Carriganass, and pause at the bank of the river to admire the castle that rises above it, you’ll get a real sense of what it must have meant for Donal Cam and his men to leave West Cork behind them for an uncertain future.
It’s a haunting spot and an unmissable landmark on your own journey through West Cork.
The Entire Route
Click here to see a map of the proposed route.
