Beaufort

Beaufort invites you to explore Irish history and craftsmanship, as well as distinctive natural landmarks and routes. Highlights include ancient inscriptions, historic wool-making and the route through the Gap of Dunloe. These can also help guide your choice of a holiday apartment in Beaufort, depending on what you want to shape your trip.

Buildings and traces of history

Beaufort House is a detached, two-storey country house with a U-shaped floor plan. Its portico is centred on the ground floor and is prostyle tetrastyle: four columns stand in front of the building. Its orderly layout and distinctive form make the house a concrete example of historic architecture in the area.

Ballymalis Castle, a typical Irish tower house, is nearby. The state-owned National Monument is managed by the Office of Public Works. Dunloe Castle tells the story of a different era: it was built in 1215 by the Norman Fitzgeralds, the Earls of Desmond. Its purpose was to control the river crossing to the Gap of Dunloe. Beaufort House and Dunloe Castle represent different building types: a U-shaped country house in one case, and a castle controlling the river crossing to the Gap of Dunloe in the other.

The Dunloe Ogham Stones also offer insight into early Irish writing. The site consists of eight large, upright stones bearing examples of Ogham, the earliest form of Irish writing. Seven of the stones were carved in the 5th and 6th centuries. Ogham gives the upright stones their distinctive character.

Wool, gardens and native woodland

Kerry Woollen Mills is a 17th-century mill in Beaufort. For over 300 years, it has produced fabrics and yarn from fine wool. Garments made from pure wool are also produced and sold there. This connects a historic local industry with products that visitors can discover on site.

The gardens of Dunloe Castle offer another perspective on nature. They are home to an exceptionally diverse range of trees and shrubs, including species that are rare or entirely absent elsewhere in Ireland. Tomies Wood is one of Ireland’s oldest native woodlands. If you would like to focus on plants and woodland landscapes as well as architectural history during your trip, you can include these natural attractions in your plans.

Routes and experiences around the Gap of Dunloe

The road through the Gap of Dunloe runs from Kate Kearney’s Cottage to Lord Brandon’s Cottage and is about 11 km long. The route is used for walking and cycling. Take its approximate length into account when planning your day, and choose the mode of transport that suits your itinerary.

Kate Kearney’s Cottage serves dinner and dishes from its bar menu. There is also a craft shop offering a wide selection of local gifts and products. The cottage is also a venue for evenings of traditional Irish music. Alongside getting active on the route, visitors can enjoy food, local crafts and music to suit different interests.

Cronin’s Yard Loop, a moderate 5.2 km walking trail, is also located near Beaufort. The route through the Gap and this loop differ in the details provided in terms of length and character: the loop is described as moderate, while an approximate route length is given for the Gap.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more destinations: Cahersiveen, Muckross, Anascaul, Killorglin, Tahilla, Fieries, Fybagh and Ardfert.

For the broader travel overview: County Kerry.