Visiting Bere Island: Getting There, Things To Do + Accommodation

A Bere Island lies just off the Beara Peninsula in West Cork and is reached via ferry from Castletownbere or the Pontoon near Rerrin.

This 10km-long island is rich in history and atmosphere, with Bronze Age tombs, Martello towers, a sunken cargo ship visible offshore, and a rare legacy as one of Ireland’s former Treaty Ports.

Visitors can hike scenic coastal trails, explore military ruins, and delve into centuries of island life at the Bere Island Heritage Centre, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Visiting Bere Island in Cork

Although a visit to Bere Island is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Bere Island is located just 2km offshore from the town of Castletownbere. The island lies at the entrance of Bantry Bay on the Beara Peninsula in County Cork and it’s one of seven inhabited islands off the coast of West Cork.

2. Getting there

Two ferry routes serve Bere Island: one runs between Castletownbere and Oilean na gCaorach (takes 15 minutes), the other between the Pontoon (2km east of Castletownbere) and Rerrin Village (takes 30 minutes).

3. Staying on the island

Staying on Bere Island gives you the chance to explore its trails, history and beaches at a slower pace. There’s a mix of glamping, B&Bs and a small hotel, all with easy access to the island’s main sights.

The history of Bere Island

Bere Island has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age with megalithic tombs and standing stones still remaining as evidence of early human occupation.

Long before soldiers and superpowers arrived, Bere Island was already marked by standing stones, wedge tombs, and ringforts. These relics speak of a time when the island was sacred ground, shaped by early settlers and Celtic beliefs.

A clan stronghold turned battleground

Once part of the powerful O’Sullivan-Bere territory, the island was seized after the fall of Gaelic rule in the early 1600s. The British quickly saw its strategic value and, by the late 1700s, they were building roads across it to shuttle troops for the Siege of Dunboy.

Napoleon sparks a coastal arms race

A failed French invasion in 1796 spooked the British enough to ramp up their defences. By 1805, Martello towers sprouted up across Bere Island, joined by signal stations, barracks, and a military harbour. The goal? Protect Royal Navy ships anchored in nearby Berehaven from a possible French strike.

A Treaty Port with a stubborn British presence

Fast forward to the Irish War of Independence, and Bere Island again played a frontline role, this time as an internment site for captured IRA men. Even after Ireland gained partial independence in 1922, the British held onto Berehaven as one of just three Treaty Ports. It wasn’t until 1938 that they finally withdrew for good.

The Bere Island Ferry

There are two ferry operators which service Bere Island, both of which can carry vehicles and passengers. Both ferries operate throughout day of the year, with frequent departures throughout the day.

Bere Island Ferries

Bere Island Ferries sail between Castletownbere and Oilean na gCaorach at the west end of Bere Island. The ferry takes 15 minutes and runs:

• Winter (Sept 22–May 31): Daily sailings from 7:45am–8:30pm, with reduced service on Sundays and no early ferry on Saturdays
• Summer (June 1–Sept 21): More frequent sailings, especially on Sundays and evenings, running from 7:45am–8:30pm

Murphy’s Bere Island Ferry

Murphy’s Ferry sails between Rerrin Village on the east end of the island to the Pontoon, about 2km east of Castletownbere. The ferry takes 30 minutes and runs:

• Summer (June 22–Aug 31): Up to 10 daily sailings between Bere Island and the Pontoon near Castletownbere, with first boats at 7:30am (Mon–Fri) and 8:00am (Sat)
• Rest of the Year (Sept 1–June 21): 5–6 daily crossings, Mon–Fri only at 7:30am/8:00am, with reduced service on bank holidays and a late Friday sailing

Things to do on Bere Island

If you’re debating a stay on the island but you’re not sure if it’s worth the spin, the section below will hopefully help you decide.

There’s plenty of things to do on Bere Island to keep you occupied, and there are several pubs where you can whittle away an evening after a day of exploring.

1. The walks

One of the best ways to explore the island is on foot. Bere Island has loads of trails with routes to suit all different fitness levels. Many of the walks begin at both ferry points so you can head straight off on the trail as soon as you land on the island.

Bere Island’s walking trails are incorporated into the well-known Beara Way which includes over 200 kilometres of trails. Many of the walks on the island are loops and include stops at some of the various highlights and attractions.

One of the best walks is the Main Beara Way which is a 19km trail stretching from east to west connecting both ferry points and taking in many different sights. Shorter options include the Ardnakinna Lighthouse Loop, Doonbeg Loop, Rerrin Loop and Lonehort Heritage Trail.

2. Ardnakinna Lighthouse

Although far less known than the nearby Mizen Head signal station, the Ardnakinna Lighthouse, which was built in 1965, is home to a whole load of history.

It has white and red flashes every 10 seconds navigating out to sea and protecting the Piper Rocks below.

You can head there on a decent walk of 11km from the west end of the island. The lighthouse and walking trail offer spectacular views of the coast.

Related read: Check out our guide to whale watching in Cork (includes the best time to see whales and what tours are on offer)

3. The Bardini Reefer Ship Wreck

You’ll spot the remains of the Bardini Reefer shipwreck in the channel between Bere Island and the mainland – just the mast and funnels jutting from the water.

The ship caught fire while at anchor, burned for days, and eventually sank. What’s left is still visible offshore.

4. The Martello towers

After a failed French landing in Bantry Bay in 1796, British forces scrambled to defend the southwest coast. Four Martello towers were built on Bere Island by 1805, positioned on strategic high ground at Lonehort, Rerrin, Ardagh, and Cloughland.

These squat, round towers, with thick masonry walls and rooftop cannon mounts, were designed to resist attack and provide wide-ranging views over sea and land.

It’s believed Cornish stonemasons and local labourers constructed them, with the Duke of Wellington himself later inspecting the work. Two of the towers, at Cloughland and Ardagh, can still be seen today, standing sentinel over the island.

5. The Holy Year Cross

High above Bere Island, the Holy Year Cross stands as a tribute to community spirit and determination. Erected in 1951 to mark the Catholic Church’s Holy Year, it was funded by locals and islanders living abroad.

The concrete cross was built entirely by volunteers using horse carts, hand tools, and grit. Materials were hauled from the shoreline and bog, with water carried up the hill in barrels.

Today, it remains a proud island landmark, with an annual Mass held on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

6. Ardaragh Wedge Tomb

Tucked inside a field, the Ardaragh Wedge Tomb is one of the oldest surviving features on Bere Island. Believed to date back to the early Bronze Age, it’s made up of 14 stones, including two large capstones, and narrows from around three metres wide to two over a four-metre stretch.

Locals have long referred to it as the ‘Druids’ Altar’ – a nod to its mystical appearance and prehistoric past. The tomb is easily spotted from the roadside and offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s earliest settlers and their burial customs.

7. The Bere Island Heritage Centre

If you’re looking for things to do on Bere Island when it’s raining, you can easily spend the afternoon at Bere Island Heritage Centre.

It’s the best place on the island to learn about its unique history and culture. The centre is home to the Bere Island Experience Exhibition which details the history and lifestyle of the island through photographs, artefacts, maps and old genealogy books.

It’s all housed inside the restored Ballinakilla Old School Building, which opened in 2009. You’ll also find plenty of information there to inform your exploration of the island, including other historical sites to check out during your trip.

8. The beaches and wildlife

Bere Island’s coastline is dotted with quiet beaches and hidden coves, like Scairt Beach, where the only sound is the wind or the distant call of seabirds.

You’ll find sheltered stretches of sand and shingle with views across Bantry Bay and the Caha Mountains. Offshore, things get even wilder.

The waters around the island are home to minke whales, dolphins, basking sharks and, more rarely, humpbacks and orcas. Keep an eye on the sea from any high vantage point – you never know what might breach the surface.

Birdlife thrives here too, from diving gannets to chattering choughs on the headlands.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best beaches in West Cork and our guide to the finest beaches in Cork

9. Lonehort Battery and harbour

Lonehort Battery is a military fort built for the English army by the Royal Engineers at the eastern end of the island. Work began on the battery and deep moat surrounding it in 1899 with the help from local labourers and contractors. 

This natural harbour is believed to have once been a Viking Harbour. It was also the place that General Carew landed his troops in 1602 and used the island to prepare for the Siege of Dunboy.

12. St Michaels Church and Graveyard

St Michael’s Church was built in 1843 and extended in 1900. Its peaceful graveyard reflects the island’s layered past, with Catholic and Protestant graves, Irish and English names, and several British military headstones.

The church sits in Ballinakilla, not far from other burial sites scattered across the island. Together, they offer a moving record of the island’s history and the many lives that have passed through this remote corner of West Cork.

Bere Island Accommodation

There’s a good bit of Bere Island accommodation on offer, for those of you that fancy staying on the island.

The Bere Island Hotel is one of the better-known places to stay, but there’s one of the best places to go camping in Cork located on the island.

Bere Island Glamping

By far one of the most unique places to stay on Bere Island is this glamping and camping experience at Wild Atlantic Glamping. The purpose-built site is designed to offer comfort in all sorts of weather and includes eight luxury bell tents situated along the shoreline of the island. 

The Bere Island Hotel

This family-run bar and hotel on Bere Island is a great option to stay the night. They offer six en-suite rooms, varying from single, double, twin and family rooms. The rooms overlook Bantry Bay with beautiful views across the water.

B&Bs and guesthouses

Bere Island also has plenty of B&Bs and guesthouses available. Some places offer sea views, while others are modern self-catering lodges for a peaceful escape.

Bere Island pubs and restaurants

After a day spent ticking off the various things to do on Bere Island, you’ll have earned a bite-to-eat and, if you fancy, a post-adventure drink.

There are several places to eat and pubs on Bere Island where you can kick-back and relax after a long day on the road.

1. O’Sullivans Bar (Dessie’s Bar)

O’Sullivans Wine and Spirits, or otherwise known locally as Dessie’s Bar, is located in Rerrin Village. It has a real traditional pub atmosphere with great beer and pub meals. They also have live local music on some nights of the week. 

2. The Hotel Bar and Restaurant

The Hotel Bar and Restaurant is the dining room and bar inside the Bere Island Hotel. It’s located in Ballinakilla overlooking the bay. They’re open for food and drinks from 1pm every day except Sunday, with excellent food and friendly staff. 

3. The Lookout Restaurant and Bar

Located on the pier in Derrycreeveen, just 80m from the ferry landing, this bar and restaurant is a very convenient place to grab a meal and a pint. They serve great meals with a full bar menu, as well as, coffee and cake if you’re after a light snack.

What to do nearby

If you’re visiting Bere, I’d strongly recommend to try the Ring of Beara route, as pictured on the map above. It takes in some of the best places to visit in Cork, including:

• Glengarriff Nature Reserve: This 300-hectare woodland near Glengarriff has walking trails for all fitness levels
• Healy Pass: A winding mountain road linking Lauragh and Adrigole with sweeping views over the Caha Mountains and Bantry Bay
• Dursey Island: A remote island reached in minutes via Ireland’s only cable car
• Bantry House and Gardens: One of Ireland’s finest historic homes, with terraced gardens, bay views, and a tearoom