Healy Pass is perhaps my favourite road from my two-week road trip in Ireland. It’s not for driving it, but for looking back as it snakes it way across the Ring of Beara in West Cork. The lookout spot is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the view if there is a parking spot free. Parking is limited to 5-6 spots at the lookout next to the small shop and a couple of others as you cross the top of the Caha mountains into Kerry.
To find this amazing stretch of road you’ll need to head for the R574 which has turn offs near Adrigole in Cork and Lauragh in Kerry. I opted to drive up to the pass and then back down it again to continue my trip around the peninsula but for those short on time just take the pass across as it’s worth it.
Healy Pass also named Bealach Scairt in Irish meaning “the way of the sheltered caves” was built during the famine times in 1847 as a way to prevent starvation. I’m not sure about you but having driven the road myself I’d have wanted to be fed pretty well to have carved out this road.
I did all of Dingle and Ring of Kerry but now you’re making me wish I had made it to West Cork! Looks beautiful!
Scott its hard to do it all as it takes so much time. I tried to just do a bit of everything instead of all of one etc. I missed lots but at least I got a sample of what was there.
I cycled from Kenmare along to the Uragh stone circle and close to Ardgroom before returning and it was gorgeous. This year I would like to cycle Healy Pass and the other side of peninsula. Which direction is it easier to come from (Lauragh?) or is it all up and down?
And how many k’s is it?
Also going to explore the smaller peninsulas 🙂
Hi Wendy, I can’t speak for coming from Lauragh but I do know going the other way is all UP to till you get to the half way point where the shop and lookout area is. I only drove up to there and then drove back down again to see the view the other way. I don’t know the k’s either but google maps should help you with that.