Bere Island

Bere Island (IrishOiléan Béarra, meaning “bear island”, although officially called An tOileán Mór meaning “the big island”) is an island off the Beara Peninsula in County CorkIreland. It is roughly 10 km x 3 km in dimension, with an area of 17.68 km², and, as of 2012, had a population of between 210 and 220 people.

Legend says that the island was named by a 2nd-century king of MunsterMogh Nuadat, in honour of his wife, Beara, the daughter of Heber MórKing of Castile.

Bere Island (IrishOiléan Béarra, meaning “bear island”, although officially called An tOileán Mór meaning “the big island”) is an island off the Beara Peninsula in County CorkIreland. It is roughly 10 km x 3 km in dimension, with an area of 17.68 km², and, as of 2012, had a population of between 210 and 220 people.

Legend says that the island was named by a 2nd-century king of MunsterMogh Nuadat, in honour of his wife, Beara, the daughter of Heber MórKing of Castile.

History

Early traces of human occupation include megalithic tombs and standing stones. The island was the property of the O’Sullivan Bere clan and remained so until the power of the Gaelic chieftains was finally broken in 1602. This period also saw the first military interest in the island when Sir George Carew ordered a road to be built across the island to transport the …