Beautiful Bere Island

Welcome to Bere Island's Community Website

Bere Island lies at the entrance to the magnificent Bantry Bay and guards the deep water harbour of Berehaven, in West Cork, in the southwest of Ireland.

We have a strong and vibrant community who continually strive to protect our island’s heritage, landscape and island way of life.

Despite its proximity to the mainland, Bere Island retains that distinct, easy charm of rural places distant from cities and crowds. It’s a quiet paradise, of a size that is manageable for walkers and cyclists. Bird watchers and plant lovers will delight at the many species to be found on land and at the water’s edge.

Why Not Visit

Bere Island is situated 120km miles west of Cork City on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. It is a 2 hour drive from Cork City and is only accessible by a ferry ride.

Bere Island is served by two car ferry services. Please note that you cannot book the ferry in advance. Both ferries operate a first come first served policy and you might have to queue at peak times. However you won’t be left behind, if the ferry is full, they will come back for you!

Murphy’s Ferry leaves The Pontoon, which is 29 miles from Glengarriff on the left. 30 mins ferry journey.

Bere Island Ferries is in Castletownbere on the left at the entrance to the town. 15mins ferry journey.

Bere Island parkrun

Bere Island parkrun is on every Saturday at 9.30am. The parkrun is a 5k measured course around the eastern end of the island and is open to runners, joggers and walkers.

The parkrun is free, although participants are encouraged to register online in order to obtain a bar code, which is scanned at the beginning and end of their run, allowing them to track their progress on a weekly basis.

Bere Island Community News

Waste Collection & Recycling

February 16, 2021

Waste collections will take place on the following dates 2024Tuesday 11th JuneFriday 5th July July – *please note this collection is on a FridayTuesday 23rd

Rural Transport Bus

February 16, 2021

The rural transport bus travels to Castletownbere on Tuesdays and Fridays, travelling out on the 10am ferry from the west end pier and returns on

Weekly News Update 2024

November 18, 2024

Monday 18th November Bere Island Projects GroupTo mark the 70th anniversary of the Bere Island Grotto, a short service and blessing will be held at the

Bere Island Projects Group CLG – Notice of AGM

October 14, 2024

Bere Island Projects Group CLG will hold their AGM on Wednesday 13th November at 7.00pm in the Community Centre, Bere Island. All are welcome to

Bere Island Projects Group CLG

The Bere Island Projects Group Office is located adjacent to the Community Centre and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm. Contact 027 75099.

Bere Island Active Retirement Group

The Active Retirement Group hold weekly coffee mornings in the community centre on Thursdays from 11am. For further details contact Oscar on 027 75099.

Bere Island Men's Shed Group

The Men’s Shed Group meet every Thursday at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. For details contact 027 75099.

After School Club

The After School Club is open during term time on Mondays from 3pm to 5pm in the Community Centre. All children of National School age are eligible to attend.

Bere Island Tourism & Environment Group

The Bere Island Tourism and Environment Group work to promote tourism initiatives on the island, undertake Tidy Islands projects and oversee the waste management collection. For rubbish collection dates click here

A welcome will always await...

Bere Island, just a short ferry journey from the Beara peninsula, is one of 7 inhabited islands on West Cork’s coastline – part of Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way touring route.

Due to its strategic location Bere Island has a very interesting heritage. The island is rich in archaeological sites dating from the Bronze Age through to Medieval times, including ring forts, standing stones, wedge tombs and burial sites.

Where you'll find us

Bere Island lies at the entrance to the magnificent Bantry Bay and guards the deep water harbour of Berehaven, in West Cork, in the southwest of Ireland.

The island is just 2kms offshore from the town of Castletownbere, the largest white fishing port in Ireland. The Slieve Miskish and Caha Mountain ranges of the Beara Peninsula tower over the island providing a dramatic backdrop.

Discover Bere Island

Did you know that whales, basking sharks, and bottle-nose and common dolphins can all be sighted around Bere Island? Other activities to be enjoyed on the island include swimming, sea angling, diving, and other water sports, or take in an exhibition on the island’s history at the Heritage Centre.

Island Activities

Explore the beautiful unspoiled coastline of Bere Island with breath taking views, marked hiking and walking trails, whale watching and lots of water sports to enjoy.

Island Events

Lonehort Battery Guided Tours Bere Island Parkrun

Island Stays

Choose from a great selection of Bed & Breakfasts, Self Catering Holiday Homes or for the more adventurous Glamping in style down by the waters edge.

For the adventurers

Take time to discover the delights of Bere Island with three looped routes on offer from the east or west side of the south side of the island, the adventurous amongst you could combine the three routes in a figure of a shamrock, taking around eight hours from start to finish.

Walking Trails

Walkers are spoilt for choice on Bere Island, with routes and looped walks of varying difficulty appealing to all.

Possibilities include slow rambles along by-ways as well as jaunts over more rugged terrain.

Running

Bere Island has something to offer all levels of runner, from it’s weekly park run to the annual Midsummer Run with a 5k and 10k course available, and an annual 5 mile road race which is part of the Beara Athletic Club Autumn 5 Mile Race series and includes races in Glengarriff, Allihies, Eyeries and Bere Island.

Cycling

Bere Island offers a great deal for the cyclist, from flat meandering roads, to exhilarating hills.

Watersports

The spectacular coastline of Bere Island and pristine waters is a haven for sailors, swimmers, kayakers and anglers.

For the History Lovers

Bere Island’s place in history is assured. The West Cork island’s Martello towers date from the Napoleonic wars; several American battleships based here during World War I met their fate at Pearl Harbour, and – after the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 – the island became one of three Irish ports retained by the UK until 1938.

Heritage Centre

The Bere Island Heritage & Information Centre is the focal point for the conservation and enhancement of the Island’s unique heritage. It is home to The Bere Island Experience Exhibition.

Heritage Tours

Explore Bere Island and learn about its past with one of our registered tour guides. Contact Barry Hanley 086 8845709 or Teresa Hall 086 1981541 to book.

For the Socialites

At the end of an eventful day relax and enjoy a good meal and drink in one of our local bars and restaurants where you can unwind the day away with the locals and hear all the local news and maybe participate in a traditional music session.

Lawrence Cove Marina

Located in Lawrence Cove

Dessie's Bar

Located in Rerrin Village

Hotel Bar and Restaurant

Located in Ballinakilla

Bere Island Bakehouse

Located in Rerrin Village

Bere Island Community Archive

Our Bere Island Community Archive is a history of the heritage, people and places of Bere Island. Our Community Archive is part of the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN).

Bere Island Conservation Plan

The Bere Island Conservation Plan was launched in 2003 and serves as a blueprint to protect the island’s archaeological, built and cultural heritage and its landscape and marine environment.

The Conservation Plan was put together with support from The Heritage Council and Cork County Council.

The 2024 workplan of actions for The Conservation Plan is funded by The Heritage Council’s Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2024.

For more information on the Bere Island Conservation Plan and its many achievements please click here

Our Community

The heart of our Island is its people and the community we’ve created as a result. Read about some of Bere Island’s residents.

Mary Sullivan is an award-winning West Cork artist who has been living on working on Bere Island for over 30 years.

I was born and grew up in London but spent every school holiday on Bere Island, where my mother was born.

My name is Paul Elphick. I was born in 1976 and I grew up on Bere Island.

I was born and reared here on Bere Island, one of a family of 10, 5 girls and 5 boys. My Dad was an Islander through and through but my Mom was from Allihies on the mainland.

Get In Touch

If you have any queries about Bere Island or have local news stories or events to tell us about, please contact us using the form below and we will reply to you promptly.

A THRIVING COMMUNITY. A PLACE APART.