A view of Coomasaharn Lake with a large green mountain, stone walls, a sheep, and a wire fence.
Coomasaharn Lake in Glenbeigh, Kerry, features calm waters surrounded by green hills and stone walls. Courtesy Finola White

Glenbeigh, County Kerry – Visitor Guide

📍 Glenbeigh, Kerry

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 21 May 2026

Overview

Glenbeigh (Irish: Gleann Beithe, meaning “glen or valley of the birch”) sits on the north-west side of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. The village is framed by a horseshoe of hills, with Seefin Mountain to the north and Curra Hill rising sharply to the west. The Caragh and Behy rivers flow on either side of the settlement before meeting at Castlemaine Harbour.

Positioned on the N70, Glenbeigh is a practical and well-serviced stop on the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way. It functions as a local service hub, offering shops, a Garda station, a community centre, and a range of accommodation. Beyond its amenities, the area is defined by its natural assets: a long Blue Flag beach, dense concentrations of prehistoric rock art, and a network of walking trails that feed into the national Kerry Way.

History & Legend

The landscape around Glenbeigh carries layers of human history stretching back over 4,000 years. The valley is steeped in Fianna mythology. Local tradition holds that Diarmuid and Gráinne took refuge in a cave in the Behy valley during their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Nearby Rossbeigh Strand is remembered as the departure point for Oisín and Niamh, who rode out to sea on a white horse to reach Tír na nÓg, the land of youth.

Archaeological evidence supports the area’s ancient significance. The hills surrounding Coomasaharn Lake contain one of Ireland’s densest clusters of open-air rock art. These cup-and-ring marks, dating to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age (c. 2300–1500 BC), belong to the Atlantic tradition and were carved by communities who hunted and farmed these valleys millennia ago.

More recent history centres on Wynne’s Folly (also called Glenbeigh Towers), a castellated mansion built in 1867 by Lord Headley Wynne. The estate became notorious during the early 1880s when tenants faced brutal evictions after failing to meet rent hikes imposed to fund the castle’s construction. The house was burned by Irish Republican forces in 1921 and never rebuilt. Its stone ruins remain a prominent landmark on the village fringe, with interpretive panels detailing the estate’s turbulent past.

Rossbeigh Strand

Just a short walk from the village centre, Rossbeigh Strand is a five-kilometre sandy spit extending into Dingle Bay. The beach holds Blue Flag status and is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months. The wide, firm sand makes it suitable for long coastal walks, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing. Horse-riding trails run parallel to the dunes, and the eastern mudflats create an important feeding zone for migratory waders.

A historic stone guide tower once stood at the northern end of the sandhills, helping vessels navigate into Castlemaine Harbour. After storm damage in 2011, salvaged stones were used to build a replica on Glenbeigh’s main street, serving as a tangible link to the village’s maritime past.

Walking & Hiking

Glenbeigh is a key junction on the Kerry Way, Ireland’s longest national waymarked trail. The route passes through the village, offering walkers several options ranging from gentle coastal circuits to strenuous mountain loops.

  • Kerry Way (Stages 3 & 4) – Stage 3 runs 18 km from Glencar to Glenbeigh, while Stage 4 covers 28 km from Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen. Both sections can be walked in either direction and feature forest tracks, quiet backroads, and open mountain ridges.
  • Coomasaharn Horseshoe Loop – A 12–16 km moderate-to-strenuous circuit that circles Coomasaharn Lake. The route climbs over peaks including Teermoyle Mountain (760 m) and Coomacarrea (772 m), passing ancient rock art and Ogham stones before returning through glacial valleys.
  • Drung Hill Mountain Loop – A 6.5 km, roughly 3.5-hour walk to the summit of Drung Hill (640 m). The path follows an old Butter Road and a historic pagan pilgrimage route, offering 360-degree views of Dingle Bay, Valentia Island, and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.
  • Seefin Mountain Return – A 10.5 km trek to Seefin (493 m). The route combines forested lower slopes with open heathland, providing reliable views of the surrounding coastline.
  • Rossbeigh Hill Loop – A 10 km moderate circuit around Rossbeigh Hill (274 m) that links directly to the Kerry Way and offers clear sightlines across the bay.
  • Kerry Greenway (under development) – Following the disused Farranfore-to-Valentia railway line, this proposed 30 km coastal route will eventually connect Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen. When completed, it will pass through mountain tunnels and cross the 70-ft Gleensk Viaduct, creating a dedicated off-road path for cyclists and walkers.

Wildlife & Nature

The Rossbeigh mudflats and dune systems form a designated natural heritage area. During spring and autumn migrations, the intertidal zones support oystercatchers, curlews, red-knots, and dunlins. Harbour seals frequently haul out on the sand at low tide, particularly near the southern end of the beach. The dunes themselves host specialised flora, including sea thrift, sand-dune violet, and marram grass, which help stabilise the coastline against Atlantic weather systems.

Food, Drink & Accommodation

Glenbeigh offers a compact selection of pubs, restaurants, and stays that cater to both passing Ring of Kerry tourists and longer-term visitors.

  • Pubs: Ashes is a century-old family-run pub on the main road, known for live music and spacious outdoor seating. The Glenbeigh Hotel Bar hosts Sunday traditional sessions and is noted for its chicken curry. Rosspoint Bar & Restaurant provides panoramic Atlantic views, a pool table, and regular live sets.
  • Cafés & Restaurants: Emilie’s operates as a café, deli, and bakery, specialising in wood-fired sourdough pizzas and artisan desserts. Curra Restaurant at the Towers Hotel offers fine dining focused on locally sourced seafood and Kerry mountain lamb, accompanied by live piano music.
  • Accommodation: Options range from the historic Victorian Towers Hotel (est. 1895) and the family-run Glenbeigh Hotel to self-catering cottages like Seabreak near Dooks Golf Links. Glen Ross Caravan & Camping Park sits at the village edge, offering sea-view pitches and direct beach access.

Practical Information

  • Getting there: Glenbeigh is accessed via the N70, linking Tralee, Killarney, and Cahersiveen. Kerry Airport (Killarney) is approximately 45 km away. Public transport is limited; most visitors arrive by car.
  • Parking: Free on-street parking is available in the village centre. Rossbeigh Beach has a large designated car park that fills quickly in July and August; additional roadside spaces are provided nearby.
  • Visitor Information: The local information point can be reached at +353 66 976 9184. Staff provide trail maps, event listings, and route advice. Opening hours vary seasonally.
  • Accessibility: Main village streets and most pubs are wheelchair-accessible. Rossbeigh Beach features boardwalk sections suitable for limited mobility, though the sand itself remains firm but uneven.
  • Safety & Seasonality: Lifeguards patrol Rossbeigh during summer months. Mountain routes like the Coomasaharn Horseshoe are open year-round but require sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate layers, and a map or GPS device. The beach and coastal walks are most comfortable from May to September, while the mountain trails are best attempted in drier weather.

Nearby Attractions

  • Banna Strand – A Blue Flag beach to the north with extensive dune systems and historic connections to the 1798 rebellion.
  • Beaufort – A gateway village to the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, offering additional dining and accommodation.
  • Black Valley – A remote, scenic valley ideal for quiet walks and wildlife observation.
  • Caragh Lake – A glacial lake surrounded by ancient woodland, suitable for canoeing, fishing, and lakeside picnics.
  • Valentia Island – Ireland’s westernmost inhabited island, accessible by road via the Ring of Kerry, featuring slate quarries, a historic lighthouse, and fossilised tetrapod tracks.
  • Skellig Coast – The departure point for licensed boat trips to the Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Check tide times before walking the full length of Rossbeigh Strand, as the eastern mudflats become exposed at low water and can be difficult to cross. The village’s central location on the N70 makes it a straightforward base for splitting your Ring of Kerry itinerary, allowing you to tackle the western mountain stages in the morning and return for a quiet evening meal by the harbour.