A Guide to Healy Pass in Ireland
Read our guide on Healy Pass, a highlight of the scenic R574 in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, and when to go.
There were many stunning scenic roads we discovered while road-tripping Ireland.
So it won't come as a surprise when we say it's hard to pick which one was our favorite as they all were amazing.
Still, the Healy Pass on Beara Peninsula ended super high on our list.
This 14-kilometer mountainous route across the Caha Mountains offers everything you would expect from this type of adventure.
A narrow winding road with very little traffic, sheep on the road, hair-raising drops, steep incline, and amazing scenery. But don't worry.
The experience is not as scary as it might sound.
This entire area is also part of the Wild Atlantic Way, and thanks to its easy accessibility, it's very natural to incorporate into your Ireland itinerary.
Without any doubt, Healy Pass is one of the best things to do in Beara Peninsula.
And here's everything you should know about this scenic road before you go.
Where is Healy Pass
Situated on Beara Peninsula, the mountainous road R574 connects the small villages of Adrigole and Lauragh via Healy Pass.
The pass itself is at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level on the border of County Cork and County Kerry.
History
The drive is a long winding road up to the top of the mountainous pass that offers spectacular views.
Today, it's mostly visited by tourists and sometimes used by locals who need to cross Caha Mountains, but its original purpose was completely different.
Healy Pass was built in 1847 during the famine to help prevent starvation. It was named after Timothy Michael Healy, County Cork's politician and the first General Governor of Ireland.
In the past, this ancient route was known as Bealach Scairt (the way of the sheltered caves).
How to Visit Healy Pass
As we traveled around Beara Peninsula clockwise, we joined the R574 from Lauragh.
Adrigole or Lauragh
If you're wondering whether Healy Pass is best visited from Adrigole or Lauragh, we can only say from our own personal experience that it doesn't matter where you connect to this road.
R574
The road is incredibly scenic from both directions. By the way, it also surprised us how different the landscape actually is on both sides of the mountains.
It reminded us a bit of the Sheep's Head Peninsula, but the scenery on Beara is arguably even more striking. But back to the Healy Pass.
Back home, we both agreed that this was one of the most beautiful roads we had driven in Ireland.
The road relentlessly climbed up while revealing stunning vistas and panoramic landscapes behind every turn.
Be prepared that the road is not wide enough for two cars but has plenty of pullouts.
Driving a car on a narrow single-lane road with tons of curves and limited pull-overs for passing traffic might seem like a challenge.
Yes, the road might appear daunting at first, but if you drive slowly and carefully, you'll be fine.
Moreover, the road is not suitable for buses or large vehicles like the neighboring Ring of Kerry, so it's not busy.
Still, make sure to read our tips for driving in Ireland.
The first section looked like every second rural road in Ireland.
With no shoulders, very narrow, occasional stone walls, and surrounded by a lot of greenery, it definitely felt like driving in a tunnel.
Glanmore Lake
A few minutes into the drive, the views started to open up, revealing more and more of Lake Glanmore on our right-hand side.
Just before we reached the pass, there was a stunning Lake Glanmore viewpoint and parking for at least a few cars.
Otherwise, you would have to rely on the pullouts (not exactly recommended) in case you want to take photos along the way. Here we left County Kerry behind and entered County Cork once again.
Healy Pass
Finally, we arrived at the pass itself. There was another small parking and a small shack.
The view from the top that featured the other side of the valley with the hairpin bends of R574 was equally spectacular.
The road was pretty much empty, so we hopped into the car and descended back to the bottom of the valley while immersing ourselves in the driving experience.
The route changed into a two-lane track once again, and we eventually arrived at Adrigole.
In our opinion, the Healy Pass route is breathtaking, and it's definitely well worth the trip.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
When to Go
Obviously, the best time to visit Healy Pass is on a clear day, regardless of the season. On a foggy and rainy day, it's probably better to stick to the coastal routes.
We crossed the Conor Pass on Dingle Peninsula while it was covered in a complete mist, and it was definitely an experience on its own, but there were no views along the way.
And honestly, the views are the main reason to visit Healy Pass, as you will find a narrow and winding road pretty much on every corner in Ireland.
Don't forget that good visibility also helps you see the road ahead and what's coming toward you, making the journey safer.
Unfortunately, the weather on Ireland's southwestern peninsulas can be unpredictable, so a certain amount of improvisation might be required from your side.
Even on a cloudy and rainy day, the weather can change for the better within a few hours.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
How to Get
The best way to explore the Healy Pass is by car. There is no way around it, as relying on public transport is not an option in this case.
Even though it's very easy to rent a car in Ireland, there are a few things you should know about this topic before you go.
Alternatively, you can join a guided tour that includes Healy Pass in the itinerary or hire a driver in Kenmare, Glengariff, or some other town in this area.
Lastly, we can't fail to mention that if you prefer to spend your vacations actively, you can always cycle to the top.
Directions
Lauragh is only 25 kilometers from Kenmare, and it usually takes about 30 minutes to get there.
Killarney is 60 kilometers northeast of Lauragh, and if driving in this direction, make sure to take the scenic N71 instead of the N22 and R569.
Cork is 110 kilometers east of Adrigole, and the trip via the most direct route takes about two hours.
Galway is a four-hour drive from here. The journey from Dublin takes about five hours.
Where to Stay
Many travelers visit Healy Pass on a road trip. And staying overnight in this area before rushing off to the next destination is a great choice.
Here are a few tips on the best places to stay in Beara Peninsula.
Glengarriff | Eccles Hotel and Spa - Overlooking the Bantry Bay, Eccles Hotel and Spa is one of the best accommodations in Glengarriff. The hotel is set in a beautiful location and features modern rooms with panoramic sea views, a fabulous spa, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
Adrigole | Mossie's - One of the best bed and breakfasts in Beara, Mossie's features individually decorated rooms with sea views, a beautiful garden, a shared lounge, a bar, on-site parking, and wonderful hosts.
Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel - Situated in a quiet location in Kenmare, Brook Lane is a charming boutique hotel that features stylish rooms with floor heating and large and comfortable beds, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
