[4] The completed trail was formally opened by Toddy O'Sullivan, TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, in June 1996.

[5] A major upgrade of the trail was completed in 2009 and involved the construction of 20 bridges, 200 stiles, 15 information boards and 30 plaques.

[12] Copper mining was the main activity in Ahillies for many years and the remains of abandoned mineworking dot the landscape.

[14] From Ahillies, the trail follows a miners' track and climbs the copper-rich crags above the village, crossing a mountain pass to reach Eyeries.

[23] The Beara Way also forms the start (or end, depending on direction travelled) of European walking route E8 which runs from Dursey Island to Istanbul, Turkey.