BEARA A RUGGED BEAUTY

September 19, 2015 | gaiainaction

A few days ago saw us driving over the Healy Pass towards Lauragh in the Beara Peninsula, a most beautiful journey. Leon Urus’ term, “a terrible beauty” certainly applies to this region. More and more rugged the higher you go, interesting rock formations, some quartz and crystals shining bright among the otherwise grey rocks. Insect eating plants, mosses, ferns, and very much lovely scented camomile flowers. Amazing views of bare rocky heights and lush green valleys. Right at the highest point Glanmore lake can be seen and further down along the road plenty of Fuchsia, heathers, golden rod, and other wild flowers are still in bloom, and make for a lush tapestry of colour.

THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL AND OTHERS

April 25, 2015April 25, 2015 | gaiainaction

Today’s finds in a field on the Beara peninsula was the much sought after Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), with it’s small but very attractive scarlet flowers, easily found among the now lush green grass. The day was beautifully sunny but with a strong wind from the Atlantic. Among the other plants I found was the Chickweed (Stellaria media), one of the Stitchworts (Stellaria) with it’s delicate small white flower, and a type of Speedwell, I think it’s Wall Speedwell (Veronica arvensis). All of these wild flowers and well worth looking out for at this time of the year.

There was a lot of Plantain out too and in flower, also saw Buttercups, Lesser Celandine, March Violets, Daisies, Dandelions and many others. I love to see a fully growing and flowering meadow but you don’t see that so often anymore as the grass is cut for silage around here, the last time I saw a beautiful meadow was on the island of Naxos, the meadows there are amazing and beautifully scented.

Above: the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Below: The Stitchwort and its leaves.

Above: One of the Speedwells.

Below: The Chickweed.

COAST ROAD FROM EYERIES TO ALLIHIES

April 17, 2015April 17, 2015 | gaiainaction

Views of one of the most beautiful peninsulas in Ireland, the Beara peninsula. We went there once again the other day, and this time we travelled from the mountain village of Eyeries, along the coast road with the most incredible sea views looking towards the Kerry mountains and the open Atlantic, and inland towards the Slieve Miskish Mountains. After a beautiful journey we arrived in Allihies. I would like to share some of the photos I took along the way, even though the day was hazy and this does not make for clear photography.

Looking towards the Kerry mountains, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, with Carrantuohill as the highest peak in Ireland.

The open Ocean and a misty view of the Cow and the Calf islands.

Typical Irish traditional cottage along the road.

The road winds along the coast with very rocky views looking inland. I think that the main rocks are slate and shale, but there could also be some old red sandstone.

Sheep are the main farm income around here, and they grace the landscape with their presence.

I found these cliffs fascinating and the way the waves were crashing into them!

Looking back at Allihies village far in the distance, with the ancient copper mines behind it.

ATLANTIC COASTLINE

March 15, 2015 | gaiainaction

Making a journey on the Beara peninsula in the South West of County Cork here in Ireland, is lovely any time of the year. Fresh air is always available, plenty of it. The coastal road gives magnificent views after every single bend. Here are some photos of one particular area, Ballydonegan bay, where Knocknagallaun hill and Eagle Hill make the landscape real interesting and beautiful with a wildness all of it’s own.

EMERALD ISLAND

February 6, 2015 | gaiainaction

On a journey to Beara peninsula today, it was a glorious though cold day, and there was some snow on top of the Caha mountains, especially Hungry Hill had a lovely dusting of snow.
The landscape on this peninsula is superb, you have the sea (Bantry Bay) on one side, and you have the mountains which are very rocky, and much to my taste to your other side. There is lots of Gorse growing, but also Fuchsia and Rhododendron, whole hedges of Fuchsia flower from May till November, this makes the road very beautiful. There are also lots of Holly and Rowan trees. Lots of boggy land too, and bracken. The main town on the peninsula is Castletownbere, a little fishing town.
Here are some of the views along our way.

This is actually a view of Bantry Bay taken in Glengarriff on our way home

Hungry Hill (685m high), one of the Caha mountain range peaks. This range of hills/mountains is mostly made up of old red sandstone, which is composed of mainly quartz and/or feldspar.