Ardgroom: Coastal Views, Walking and a Stone Circle

From the Pulleen Loop, you can see Kenmare Bay and the coast of County Kerry. The Beara Way offers a different way to explore, with its section from Ardgroom to Lauragh. Ardgroom is also associated with the world’s tallest Ogham stone. These distinctive coastal, walking and cultural highlights can help you choose the character of your stay in Ardgroom.

Coastal highlights along the Pulleen Loop

The Pulleen Loop offers views of Kenmare Bay and the coast of County Kerry. At Dogs Point, there is a small beach and a sea cave on the loop. The Coosmore sea cave system is 250 m from the starting point of the Pulleen Loop. This makes it easy to distinguish between the named sites: the beach and cave are at Dogs Point, while the distance given for Coosmore is measured from the starting point. If you are particularly interested in coastal scenery when planning your trip, the loop offers several specific points of interest, from the views to the features at Dogs Point.

Walking the Beara Way

The Beara Way section from Ardgroom to Lauragh takes 3 to 4 hours, is of moderate difficulty and reaches a maximum elevation of 200 m. These details give you a concrete basis for fitting the walk into your day’s plans. The route leaves Ardgroom via a minor road that runs parallel to the main R571 road. Along the way, the section passes the prehistoric Ardgroom (Canfea) stone circle. It is considered the most accessible prehistoric monument in the area. Further afield in the region, the Beara Way section also passes through part of the Dereen Estate. For walking enthusiasts, the route combines details about duration, difficulty and maximum elevation with a named prehistoric monument along the way.

Stone circle and Ogham stone

The Ardgroom (Canfea) stone circle gives the Beara Way section a prehistoric connection. Also associated with Ardgroom is the Ogham stone, which is considered the tallest in the world. If you are interested in cultural and historical features, these are two distinct points of interest to explore in connection with the area. The stone circle lies along the walking route described; the Ogham stone is associated with Ardgroom.

Trout fishing at the lakes

The lakes are another possible interest during a stay in Ardgroom. Glenbeg is one of the area’s two lakes; Derryvegal is the other. Trout fishing is possible at both lakes. Their names help you connect this activity with specific bodies of water, rather than associating it with the landscape in general. If fishing is important to your travel group, you can consider Glenbeg and Derryvegal as specific topics when planning.

Choose the right focus for your stay

Before looking for a holiday rental in Ardgroom, decide how you would like to spend your days: with activities planned in advance or with room for spontaneous discoveries. This way, your choice of base will suit your personal holiday pace.

More places to discover: Mallow, Ahakista, Timoleague, Glanmire, Churchtown, Rosscarbery, Kinsale, Tracarta.

For the broader travel overview: Cork.