Recreation

The Beara Breifne Way

The Beara Breifne Way Project is an ambitious undertaking which will see the development of a walking and cycling route along the spine of the country, from Beara in Co. Cork to Breifne in Co. Leitrim. It follows the line of the historic march of O’Sullivan Beara in 1602.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Kinsale, Donal Cam, chieftain of the O’Sullivan Beara clan, and his followers undertook this epic 14-day march. Many clans were involved in both the march and in the skirmishes which took place, and the story lends a fascinating historical and heraldic theme to the route. It is complemented by various sites and ruins along the way which will be archaeologically assessed and appropriately presented to those who use the route.

A televised reconstruction of the march has been broadcast several times on RTÉ. The same characters and community groups shown on-screen are now participating in the project. It is astounding that such a distant event should give rise to so many local legends — some of which are still hotly debated!

The Beara Breifne Way will not rely solely on this historic theme. All aspects of the route’s heritage are being considered, and archaeological and ecological surveys are being undertaken. Plaques and map-boards will be erected along the way, covering topics ranging from local mythology to bird life and hedgerows.

More importantly, the route is being developed to the highest standards required by the National Waymarked Ways Committee and will be subject to their inspections.  The project is now in Phase 1, with routes in Cork, Tipperary and Galway being developed.

The Beara Breifne Way is unique in Ireland in terms of its size — when completed, it will pass through counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Offaly, Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim. Walkers will be able to experience the whole range of beautiful landscapes that Ireland has to offer — seascapes, mountains, woodland, bogs, riversides and rolling farmlands.
On a local level, the route is divided into a series of smaller Ways, some of which are already complete — including the Beara Way and the Ballyhoura Way. Around these local walks and cycles, a number of loops and spurs are planned where there are features of interest away from the main route. In time, all associated routes will benefit from the high standards implied by the Beara Breifne branding.

As with many walking routes in Ireland, the Beara Breifne Way is based on the cooperation of community groups and the good relations they maintain with local landowners. This is absolutely fundamental, as no walk can exist without access agreements, usually arranged by someone known to the landowner. With 240 farmers living on the Beara Way alone, the scale of community collaboration becomes clear.

The funding partners for Phase 1 are the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland (using ERDF monies) and the three County Councils — Cork, South Tipperary and Galway. The five community groups (Beara Tourism, IRD Duhallow, Ballyhoura Fáilte, Multeen Tourism, IRD South Galway) involved in Phase 1 are also signatories to the agreement and are responsible for maintenance and future marketing.

Beatrice Kelly of the Heritage Council is co-ordinating the project. Council have employed a Project Manager, Gillian Scott, and a Project Consultant, Jim O’Sullivan, to assist in the project’s delivery. They are also providing administrative support.

Phase 1 will be completed in June 2008.