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It is easy to rush through daily life without stopping to take notice. Paying attention to the present moment – to our own thoughts, feelings and to the world around you can improve your wellbeing. For now, Take Notice of the wonderful locality of Beara.

The Beara Peninsula stretches into the Atlantic from Glengarriff to Castletownbere and Dursey Island. Beara is an integral part of the Wild Atlantic Way encompassing picturesque villages and towns and breathtaking scenery of the mountains and sea. Beara is a holiday destination but as residents, we should appreciate the awe of what’s all around us on this spectacular peninsula.

The beautiful village of Allihies is set surrounded by mountains overlooking Ballydonegan beach and towards the distant Skelligs. Barness Gap is panoramic and truly unforgettable as you descend towards the quaint, unspoilt, traditional Village with its brightly-painted houses. Wrap yourself in culture at the Copper Mine Museum in Allihies which illustrates how Allihies was the largest copper producing area in Europe. Enjoy an unforgettable (for one reason or another) by taking Ireland’s only Cable Car across to Dursey Island. With no shops, pubs or restaurants Dursey is famous for being a birdwatchers’ paradise. On route to Dursey, you will pass Garnish on your right and on your left Crow Head.

Ardgroom boasts a brightly painted village and some interesting sea caves and takes advantage of being on the Ring of Beara walking and cycling routes. In Canfie, to the east of the village, is a historic stone circle dating from about 1000BC. Glenbeg Lake, less than 2km from the village, is a fjord-like lake formed by glacier movement during the last Ice Age. Walking enthusiasts really enjoy the challenging Glenbeg Horseshoe walk but for the gentle walkers, there is the Pulleen loop. Take notice of the magnificent scenic drives, shore and sea angling.

Adrigole is steeped in history and culture with historical and archaeological sites (wedge tomb that dates from 2500BC, standing stones, a stone circle and fulachta fiadh cooking places). Enjoy the Sugarloaf Mountain to the east and Hungry Hill to the west or let Mare’s Tail waterfall, the highest waterfall in Ireland which flows down the face of Hungry Hill, inspire the senses. From Adrigole, the Healy Pass winds northwards across the Caha Mountains providing spectacular panoramic views of the northern and southern shores of the Beara Peninsula. The rugged coastline around Adrigole includes sandy inlets suitable for bathing, fishing and water sports. Lookout for marine animals, specifically Seals when looking out over Adrigole Harbour.

Bere Island retains that distinctive, easy charm of a rural community far distant from city life. Immerse yourself in culture at the Heritage Centre which contains an exhibition of the island’s history and culture with numerous remains of the tow intact six-inch guns. Bere Island inspires the exploration of the Bronze Age showcasing a wedge tomb, standing stone, a Viking naust (boat house) and two Martello towers. Take notice of the Whales, sharks and dolphins which can all be sighted around the island, and bird watchers and plant lovers will delight at the many species to be found on land and at the water’s edge. While taking notice of the beauty, history and culture of the area, you can also (or instead) e active and take part in activities on the Island include swimming, sea angling, water sports, sea safari and a weekly parkrun.

Castletownbere Town sits between the Caha and Slieve Miskish mountains overlooking the spectacular Berehaven Harbour, second only to Sydney as the safest natural harbour in the world. How exciting that Castletownbere is Ireland’s premier whitefish port and the local eateries cater for the seafood enthusiast. Take Notice of the eclectic mix of artists, writers, artisan food producers and craft workers showcased all over town with many other to be featured at the regular country market. Historcally Dunboy Castle, 3km west of the town, traces back to the forces of Elizabeth I in 1602 and well worth a visit. Further west is the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Meditation Centre where visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Bantry Bay in a truly idyllic setting.

Enjoy the warmth of the welcome and the climate in Glengarriff. Glengarrif boasts four attractions that make it ‘Ireland’s Garden Haven’. Garnish Island in Glengarriff harbour, now over 100 years in existence, has collections of rare plants from the world. The Bamboo Park has a unique collection of Bamboos and plams, and Glengarriff Nature Reserve is a conserved ancient oak forest. The Ewe Experience has a wide range of interesting and quirky sculptures in a natural setting. Glengarriff is a paradise for walkers with easy strolls in the Blue Pool Amenity Area and the Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve and longer hikes on the hills and mountains.

Eyeries encourages you to take notice of the ever-changing views across Coulagh Bay and the candy floss sunsets reflected on Mishkish and Maulin mountains. Be active and take an invigorating walk to Kilcatherine point, visit the mythical Hag of Beara or spy the tallest known Ogham stone, standing at 5.3m high, near Ballycrovane Harbour. Enjoy shore walks to the old Coast Guard Station or hill walks around the picturesque village of Eyeries, a Tidy Towns award winner with multi-coloured houses.

These are only a sample of the wonderous things you can ‘Take Notice’ in Beara. What are you going to Take Notice of? What are you going to do to look after your wellbeing?

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The Wellbeing Network, West Cork
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National Learning Network Bantry t: 027 51027 e: wellbeingnetwork@nln.ie
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Most agree that giving to others is a good idea however giving to others has a knock on effect on ourselves by improving the givers mental wellbeing.

Most agree that giving to others is a good idea however giving to others has a knock on effect on ourselves by improving the givers mental wellbeing. From small acts of kindness to volunteering, giving can give you a sense of purpose, community and connectedness. Sometimes we think of our wellbeing in terms of what we have; our income, car, home or job. Evidence shows that what we do and the way we think has the biggest impact on mental wellbeing. Positive mental wellbeing means feeling good about yourself and the world around you and being able to get on with your life. Helping and supporting others and working with others towards a shared goal is good for our mental wellbeing. A 2003 study in 373 older adults found that some aspect of wellbeing were higher in those who did volunteer projects compared with those who did not. Scientists have shown that giving to others can stimulate the reward areas in the brain helping to create positive feelings. Helping others also gives a sense of purpose and feelings of self-worth.

Evidence show that good relationships with family, friends, colleagues and the wider community are important for mental wellbeing.

Many of us would like to spend more time with the people who are most important to us but sometimes life just gets in the way of that. We must make time to connect with the people that matter to us. By nurturing these relationships we feel happier and more secure, giving a better sense of purpose. A 2002 study of 222 students in the US found that the happiest amongst the group had stronger social relationships than those who were less happy. Some tips to stay connected:

Make time each day to connect with your family, friends and colleagues. This could include ‘family time’ that is a fixed time to connect each day.
Arrange a day out with friends you may not have connected with recently. Most people connect on social media sites like Facebook but a face to face contact spending your time with your friends is so much more meaningful and beneficial than a “like” or “comment” on Facebook.
Reduce your screen time when you are in company. Put the phone away, close your laptop, turn off the TV and have a chat.
Try connecting with someone new today. Talk to the person beside you on the train or in the shop. This conversation may mean even more to the person you connect with than you realise.
Leave your desk for your lunch and sit with a colleague catching up on non-work matters.
It can be as simple as a smile at a passer-by.

Learning new skills is both useful and it can also positively affect our mental wellbeing. Learning means different things to everyone. To some it will be a new qualification and to others it will be learning a new recipe in the kitchen.

Learning new skills is both useful and it can also positively affect our mental wellbeing. Learning means different things to everyone. To some it will be a new qualification and to others it will be learning a new recipe in the kitchen. Evidence shows that continuing to learn throughout life can help improve and maintain our mental wellbeing. Mental Wellbeing means feeling good about yourself and the world around you and being able to get on with your life the way you choose. In 2004 a study interviewed 145 adults about learning throughout life and various aspects of their health and wellbeing. It found that people who involved themselves in more learning reported feeling higher self-esteem, a greater ability to cope with stress, and more feelings of self-confidence, hope and purpose. Setting goals and working towards them plays an important part in the way learning influences wellbeing. Many forms of learning involve contact with others which connects us to our communities and peers.

It is easy to rush through daily life without stopping to notice much. Paying attention to the present moment – to our own thoughts, feelings and to the world around you can improve your mental wellbeing.

Taking Notice is also called Mindfulness. It is easy to incorporate mindfulness into your life and can be a very powerful tool if learnt and practiced daily. Mental wellbeing means being feeling good about life and yourself and having the ability to get on with life in the way you want. Many think about wellbeing in terms of what you have; your income, car, house or job. Evidence shows that what we do and the way we think have the biggest impact on wellbeing. To Take Notice is to notice the sights, smells, sounds and tastes you experience as well as your thoughts and feelings that occur from one moment to the next. It’s easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living in our heads. An important part of Taking Notice is to reconnect with our bodies and the sensations they are experiencing. It can be something as simple as the feel of your knife and fork in your hands. Most of us have issues we find hard to let go of and mindfulness can help us deal with them more productively. Awareness of this kind also helps us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and helps us deal with them better.

Being active is great for your physical and mental wellbeing. Evidence proves there is a link between being active physically and good mental wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing means feeling good about yourself, about the world around you and having the ability to get on with life in the way you want.
Being active doesn’t mean you need to train for a marathon. You need to find physical activity that you enjoy and can fit into your daily/ weekly routine. This may be a daily walk to the shops instead of taking the car, a weekly gardening session, some yoga, swimming or a weekend walk.
Scientists confirm physical activity can help maintain wellbeing and good mental health in a number of ways:
Physical activity helps with mild depression. Evidence shows it can protect people against the onset of depression and anxiety.
Physical activity causes a chemical change in the brain which can help change our mood.
Physical activity brings about a sense of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge – all of which help improve wellbeing.