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I’m not gonna lie. This mountainous pass is not for the faint-hearted. And honestly it’s not really recommended or even advertised in many tourists brochures, and for good reason. In fact, avoid this drive unless you are a very capable driver. If you freak out, there’s no turning back, as there’s nowhere to turn. Avoid it altogether in bad weather. Don’t even think about it if you have a camper van, only cars will work. It offers gorgeous views, but is a scary driving experience, and has a mysterious story behind it…(click the link and scroll down to read the story).

As you leave Glengarriff, you will pass through various charming villages, all with something to offer. Adrigoole, Castletownberehaven, and then off the beaten track you’ll find Dursey Sound just off Dursey Island. This is where Ireland’s only cable car is, taking people and livestock over the short distance to the Island. The cable car closes from for maintenance from time to time, so check the website if you want to go on it

Gougane Barra is an area of immense wild scenery and natural beauty tucked away on 137 acres at the edge of the Sheehy Mountains. This is a little slice of paradise steeped in history. Saint Finbar was so taken with the beauty of the area that he built a monastery there. There’s a small little church by a lake surrounded by mountains and woodlands. There is a small hotel there too. Hikers have five different walking routes around the area to avail of. The drive around only takes ten minutes, so take your time, get out of the car and fill your lungs with the beauty of this landscape.

The Bamboo Gardens is an exotic experience that offer great views across the Glengarriff bay. As you explore, you’ll come across a set of stone pillars, that makes for a great photo spot.

Blue Pool is a nature park in the middle of the village, and it’s the access point for the ten-minute ferry to nearby Garnish Island. The park consists of wooded walks and a viewing point for the many seals sunning themselves on the rocks. The swimming spot has stone steps which lead you into the water. The water is deep and refreshing – if you’re lucky, a seal might join you for a swim!

The Ewe Experience is an innovative series of garden’s along a 1-kilometre trail combining nature, art, science, narrative and humour. It’s an artist’s home, which over the years has turned into an interactive open-air natural but quirky history museum with a twist!

Of all the mountain passes in Ireland, this one is an absolute must on so many levels. It’s quite simply breathtaking. My favourite mountain pass – and as you’ve seen, there are lots of thosein Ireland! It’s 12 kilometres of majestic views from both directions. It’s a bendy, twisty road through mountainous terrain, and when you reach the summit, you just don’t know where to look! Breath. Take. Ing.

The road was built during the Irish famine in 1847 and named after Tim Healy, the first governor of the Irish Free State after hundreds of years of British occupation. Miraculously, this place is still relatively unknown, so enjoy the views all to yourself.

Allihies & Eyreies are two delightful picture-postcard villages further along the route. Both villages serve wonderful seafood in the local pubs. It’s hard to miss either with their stunning multicoloured houses and Atlantic views. If it’s raining, and you want to stop for a while, then the Allihies Copper Mine Museum is well worth a visit. Further along, when you get past Lauragh, turn right on road R574 to head to Healy Pass.

As you leave Kenmare heading to Glengarriff you will pass through some stunning viewpoints like Druids View and the Caha Pass. I always start the peninsula in Glengarriff and go clockwise from there (again, to ease flow of traffic). Glengarriff is a charming village, with lots of unique attractions.