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About
West Cork Bantry One of Cork's more popular spots, Kinsale, (officially known as the gourmet capital of Ireland) is steeped in history. It observed a turning point in Irish history with the invasion of the English and in 1796 saw Wolfe Tone attempt with the aid of the French, to put an end to this same English occupation. Michael Collins is another character fondly associated with Cork. Born near Clonakilty on 16 October 1890, Collins was the hero of the Irish struggle for independence, best remembered for directing the campaign of guerilla warfare during the intensification of the Anglo-Irish war from 1919-1921. Sport is another integral part of West Cork's culture, with Gaelic football in particular a huge favourite amongst locals. Look out for some great golf, tennis and pony trekking opportunities too. There's an unending selection of first class hotels, restaurants and B&Bs to choose from and an array of pubs unlike any others you'll find in Ireland.
Bantry Bantry's Top Attractions The 1796
Bantry French Armada Exhibition Centre is also worth a visit. It outlines
in detail the discovery of one of the Armada ships scuttled during Wolfe
Tones failed invasion. Bantry is also home to the West Cork
Clonakilty Clonakilty's Top Attractions One of the finest beaches in Europe can be found at Inchydoney. On the road to Inchydoney, visitors will pass the West Cork Model Railway Village. The towns of Kinsale, Bandon and Clonakilty, are all replicated in miniature here. Tours of various sites about the life and times of Michael Collins can also be arranged within the town. Originally reconstructed, a unique ring fort is located two miles outside the town, at Lios na gCon Ring Fort. In terms of events, there's plenty to keep visitors occupied too. In particular, the famous Clonakilty Black and White Pudding festival, held each year in the second week of July.
Skibbereen During the Famine years, however, the town was famed more for the suffering of its catholic peasantry. When the Famine hit Ireland, Skibbereen was one of the worst towns to be affected in Cork. Marking the loss incurred at this time, The Great Famine Commemoration Exhibition in the Skibbereen Heritage Centre was opened. Its aim was to provide an insight into the hardships townsfolk endured. Look out for a copy of the Skibbereen Trail (available in newsagents), which highlights local sites linked to the Famine.
Ten
good reasons to shop in Skibbereen:
Glengarriff As well
as abundant beauty and inherent charm, Glengarriff is an ideal base
for exploring the wilder sides of Cork and neighbouring Kerry. The scenery
of the Beara Peninsula also starts here, whilst the peace and beauty
of Gougane Barra and the nearby Once owned
in the eighteenth century by the White family of Bantry House , the
300 acre Glengarriff Woods also continue to flourish and are wonderful
for a ramble. The newly opened Bamboo Park is equally as enchanting
and has 30 different species of Bamboo, 12 different species of Palm
trees, superb coastal woodland walks and some truly unique views of
Glengarriff Harbour.
Bandon In fact, with the Bandon River flowing through some of the most scenic areas in the South West, the town has been recognised as one of the best angling locations in County Cork. A vibrant location, Bandon has lots more than just fishing to offer the visitor, with historic buildings and prehistoric sites in abundance. Popular activities such as horse riding, golf and walking are all highly accessible too. Bandon's Top Attractions
Beara As history
and historical characters go, Beara has had its fair share too. Take
the English for example, who in 1602 laid waste to Dursey Fort. After
raiding the unarmed garrison there, they are reported to then have callously
tossed soldiers over the cliff to their doom. The Down through the years, Beara has proven to be a highly popular destination amongst Europeans. Many arrive on the Peninsula looking to find a holiday home, or even settle in the area. For those who do arrive, it doesn't take long to find out that gaelic football is an integral part of the community. Beara has produced an abundance of talented footballers over the years, many of whom have contributed greatly to Cork's fine sporting success. Beara's
Top Attractions Look out
for Dunboy Castle, once the ancestral home of O'Sullivan Bere. It can
be seen on on the Allihies Road, as can the Putley Mansion. Six miles
west of Castletownbere is the Dzogchen Buddhistt Centre, which offers
a daily program of mediation and compassion exercises. Dursey Island
is a unique feature of Beara, in
Kinsale
A veritible epicentre of Irish tourism, the fusion of fine history, scenery and cuisine, leave few visitors to Kinsale unimpressed. Kinsale's Top Attractions Desmond Castle in Cork Street, a fifteenth century custom house, originally served as an arsenal during the 100 day Spanish occupation in 1601. Inside the castle visitors will find the International Museum of Wine. In 1915, the British ocean liner, Lusitania sank off the old Head of Kinsale, after being struck by a German torpedo. Over one thousand civilians perished in the tragedy. Today, the old courthouse exhibits displays related to the 1915 sinking. The twelfth century Chruch of St Multose (the patron saint of Kinsale) and its ancient graveyard regularly bewitches visitors, attracting locals and tourists alike. The Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre provides a range of facilities for water sports enthusiasts, whilst deep sea trips may be arranged at the Castlepark Marina.
Dumanway
Currently encouraging inward investment, commercial development and industry back into the town, The Dunmanway Employment Initiative is made up of a committed group of local people with a unified voice for Dunmanway. Read more about the initiative here Local
Attractions
Schull Liveliest when its famed sailing regattas are in full swing- 'Calves Week' is one of the biggest social events in Scull. Usually held following the August Bank Holiday weekend, the week sees a programme full of top quality racing, making it a unique event on the Irish sailing calendar. The republic's only planetarium is also located in Scull. Situated in the grounds of Scull Community College, the planetarium has an 8m dome, as well as a video and slide show. During peak season there are three or four star shows per week, where spectators are treated to an amazingly realistic reproduction of the star-studded night sky.
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According
to ancient folklore, the first inhabitants of Ireland arrived in Bantry
Bay, landing in Donemark on the outskirts of Bantry town. As one of
the safest and most spectacular deep water harbours in Europe, Bantry
is steeped in tradition and during the Napoleonic years prospered with
the population reaching over 4000 people.
From
the turn of the century Bantry survived the hard times, becoming a boom
town in the 60s with the arrival of Gulf Oil and the establishment of
the Terminal on Whiddy island. This prosperity was short lived, however,
mainly due to the explosion of the oil tanker, Betelgeuse in 1979. This
explosion had several repercussions for the town, involving mainly the
loss of many lives.
The
last twenty years has seen a vibrant recovery for Bantry though, with
the town becoming a leader in mariculture and mussels. Now a vibrant
market town, Bantry has blossomed into an extremely popular tourist
destination attracting enthusiastic visitors from all over the world.
Chamber
Music Festival, held during the last week of June. This involves a performance
from the RTE Vanburgh String Quartet. The Bantry Mussel Fair is always
held in the second week of May. This festival has grown into a major
festival for the West Cork area, attracting people from all over the
world. There are also sea trips that circumnavigate the harbour dropping
off at Whiddy Island. With a host of hotels, restaurants and B&Bs offering
top class accommodation, Bantry has an abundance of facilities to cater
for every sort of holiday. (Right: c.1900, Bantry Town and Railway Station
- Prince of Wales route)
Originally a linen town with a workforce of over 10,000 people, Clonakilty
is a picturesque destination abundantly rich in history. With the birth
of military leader Michael Collins near Sam's Cross in 1890, the area
is steeped in folklore. With its tall spires and elegant squares, the
town is littered with historical buildings and has even been designated
West Cork's Heritage Town by Bord Failte. It was also a category winner
in the 1999 tidy towns competition, being voted the tidiest town in
County Cork. Today, Clonakilty has developed an air of affluence. Its
wide industrial base sits comfortably with the old traditional style
shops and pubs, all of which remain in close proximity to the city.
Situated 42 miles from Cork, on the banks of the River Ilen, the quaint
town of Skibbereen is one of the most scenic and frequently visited
destinations in West Cork. Owing its existence to the Algerians who
raided nearby Baltimore in 1631, the town originally grew from two settlements.
Established to accommodate Baltimore's fleeing English settlers, these
two settlements not only merged to become Skibbereen, but also solidified
the town's strong association with its protestant founders.
Losing
almost half its local population to emigration following the Famine,
a welcome reversal occurred in the 60s and early 70s. The area enjoyed
a wonderful revival in tourism and industry. Tourism today continues
to ensure prosperity for the small town, as it welcomes a steady stream
of visitors following the West Cork trail. If you've a little time to
spend in Skibbereen, look out for the famous Cattle Mart. A real taste
of agricultural Ireland; the mart has remained virtually unchanged from
days gone by and is always a unique treat for visitors.
Skibbereen's
Top Attractions
Nestled
between the Caha Mountains and Bantry Bay, Glengarriff in West Cork
greets the visitor with an explosion of wonderful greenery. Sheltered
by the rugged mountains and complimented by the influence of the Gulf
Stream, the climate in Glengarriff is well known for its gentle temperament,
making it a particularly pleasant destination to visit during the summer
months. In fact, during the second half of the nineteenth century, Glengarriff
became a popular retreat for well-to-do Victorians. Many would sail
from England to Ireland, where they would then take the train to Bantry
and from there a paddle steamer over to Glengarriff. 
lakes of are all within driving distance. Glengarriff is also home to
one of Ireland's most outstanding gardens: Garinish Island, which boasts
an internationally famous collection of plants. The English architect,
Harold Peto established the fifteen acre Italianate garden here in the
twentieth century. Peto planted a selection of exotic plants never before
seen in Ireland, which continue to flourish to this day. Watch out for
the panoramic views from the top of the Martello tower.
Referred
to as the 'gateway to West Cork', Bandon lies fifteen miles to the south
west of the city. Established by an English colonizer, Richard Boyle,
in 1608 the town was initially populated by English and Scottish settlers.
Today, In addition to the ruins of a fifteenth century castle, parts
of the original town walls remain. Lying in the broad valley of the
river Bandon, the town also has some excellent facilities for salmon
and trout fishing.
Stretching
from Glengarriff to Dursey Island, the rugged Beara Peninsula is spoilt
by natural beauty. It's wild and majestic scenery is combined with a
profound sense of tranquility and has proven to be an excellent holiday
destination for people from all walks of life.
eighteenth
century also saw Wolfe Tone, a character synonymous with Bantry Bay,
sail up the Beara coastline. Prior to World War I, a British Naval base
was then set up on the Island. Due to its strategic location within
the Bay, it proved to be of tremendous significance to both the British
and American Fleets as the war progressed. (Left: c.1900, Bantry Bay
- a view from Bere Harbour)
more than gorse bushes until 1900, when financier Annan Byrce turned
it into a subtropical dream island. The Byrce family bequeathed the
island to the Irish people in 1953. Hungry Hill at the foot of Castletownbere
stands at 2245ft and from the top affords a magnificent view of the
Beara penninsula and Bantry Bay. (Right: c.1900, Puxley Mansion, Castletownbere)
so
far as it is only accessible by cable car, and not to be missed - Bere
Island, with its wonderfully profound sense of tranquility. Situated
12 miles west of Castletownbere, spectacular Allihies juts out 50km
into the Atlantic ocean. The well known Copper Mines here are located
just north of Allihies village and have signs pointing to the remains
of the quarry. (Berehaven Harbour c.1912)
Heralded
as the 'gourmet capital of Ireland', Kinsale's culinary fame doesn't
entirely outshine it's historical significance. Located at the head
of West Cork, The Battle of Kinsale was fought here in 1601. Seen as
a watershed in Irish history, the battle ensured British occupation
of Ireland for the next three hundred and twenty years. The Battle itself
took place about four miles north west of the town near a creek off
the Bandon river. The Irish forces, led by Hugh O'Neill and Hugh O'Donnell
with their Spanish allies, challenged the power of the British troops
under Lord Mountjoy. All their endeavours, however, were to no avail.
Today,
visitors to Kinsale are often taken back by the spectacular beauty of
the town. From the natural harbour filled with yachts, to the narrow
cosmopoplitan streets. To date, Kinsale has actually been very successful
in the National Tidy Towns competition and the European Entente Floriale,
picking up numerous awards down through the years. In recent years the
town has also proved to be very popular with other European destinations.
Many have sought to be twinned and associated with Kinsale, including
the likes of Antibes Juan Les Pins in the South of France, Muribles
in Wales and more recently Newport, Rhode Island.
A
walk to the top of Compass Hill offers a superb view of the town and
its harbour surroundings. Most impressive is the view from Charles Fort,
a classic seventeenth century star shaped Fort, which remained a British
Naval base until 1921. Across the harbour is James Fort, which also
offers panoramic views of the town.
The
historical origins of the town itself are actually indebted to Sir Richard
Cox, Lord Chancellor of Ireland in the reign of William III. Cox obtained
the grant of a market and fairs from the Monarch, and erected a stately
mansion for his own residence. He also built the long bridge over the
river Bandon and introduced the linen manufacture for which the town
became well known. The manufacture of linen continued to flourish for
some years after this, though at present very few looms remain at work.
Rich in historical and archaeological remains, Schull is a seaside market
town at the foot of Mt Gabriel. Home to the famous Copper Mines on the
south-east slope of the mountain, a walk up Mt Gabriel affords some
spectacular views of the surrounding area. Dotted with picturesque vessels,
Schull's sheltered harbour looks out over Carbery's Hundred Islands.
Visitors can catch the ferry to Clear Island, Baltimore and Sherkin
from here.
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