Castletownbere, situated at the mouth of Bantry Bay is Ireland's biggest white fishing port. Over 20,000 tonnes of fish are landed annually and exported to the gourmet restaurants on the continent and Japan.

Berehaven is blessed with a safe sheltered anchorage being the second deepest natural harbour in the world after Sydney, and plays host to Scottish, French and Spanish fishing fleets.

Why not sample the spectacular walking routes in the area, Hungry Hill mountain for example (675m / 2251feet) which lent its name to the novel of Daphne du Maurier - encompasses the wild, untamed panorama of the whole peninsula.

There is a wide choice of amenities in the area which include a riding stable next to Dunboy Castle and on Tralahan strand, just a mile west of town, there is an award winning sandy beach, which is ideal for swimming. If you would like to learn how to handle a canoe or naomhog (currach) regular tuition is available at the strand: enquire locally for details. The Berehaven amenity park and golf links boasts a 9-hole golf course, beautifully situated between the mountains and the sea.

Bicycles can be hired in town or if you just want to relax, meditation in the Buddhist Dzogchen Beara Retreat Centre should do the trick.

Clan Name

Castletownbere is part of the ancestral home of the O'Sullivans in Ireland and forms a stage of the Beara-Breifne Greenway which is based on the historic march of O'Sullivan Beara in 1603.

Heritage Houses

For info on Puxley Mansion click here

Greenways Festival 2003

Castletownbere is talking part in the Greenways Festival in summer 2003 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the legendary 1603 march of O’Sullivan Beara from the Beara Peninsula to the Breifne area. Click here for info on the events.