Drives in West West Cork

As you drive into West West Cork from Cork city and cross the bridge at Roscarberry you enter a part of the country largely unspoilt by modern life. Take a turn down a lane and find a stone circle or a crumbling castle. To drive the full Mizen Peninsula from Roscarberry to Bantry will take a day, allowing for stopping. The drive from Roscarberry to Mizen Head along winding lanes takes a little over an hour non-stop.

The Sheep’s Head drive from Bantry will take two and a half hours non-stop but you’ll be tempted to break the drive in Durrus, Ahakista or Kilcrohane or some of the viewing points along the way. You can also walk out to the Sheep’s Head lighthouse from the car park near the tip.

Mizen Head Lighthouse

At the tip of the Mizen Peninsula is a lighthouse reached by a footbridge, a Signature Key Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way route. Beneath you the Atlantic waves crash against the dramatic cliffs. An interpretative centre shows how navigation was managed to ensure safety at sea and how the lighthouse keepers lived in this remote location. Be sure to get a photo at the red lantern at the western side of the lighthouse.

Nearby are Barleycove Beach, Dunlough Bay and Three Castle Head, which has a great walk across the headland to view the ruins.

Food in West Cork

West Cork is the base for many artisan producers and Co Cork produces 70% of these foods in Ireland. At country markets, you can meet the producers as they sell cheese, meats, bread, soaps, plants and much more. Morning markets are held in Bantry on Fridays, in Skibbereen on Saturdays and in Schull on Sunday mornings (Summer only). Many restaurants in West Cork use local ingredients to produce award-winning food.

The  A Taste of West Cork is a 10-day festival spread over towns, villages and islands celebrate the artisan food producers of West Cork with visits to producers, chef demonstrations and talks as well as food trails. 

Walks

– Sheep’s Head, Fastnet Trails, Three Castle Head

Sheep’s Head Way comprises up to 90 km of walking trails on the unspoilt Sheep’s Head Peninsula which juts out into the Atlantic between Bantry Bay to the north and Dunmanus Bay to the south. You can follow a walking trail on the Waymarked route, or hire a guide for a hard day or full day for more experienced walkers. The price of the walk depends on the number of participants with a maximum of 10 people. There are loop walks, ridge walks and guides can be booked for small groups.

The Fastnet Trails are principally located on the southern side of the Mizen Peninsula from Church Cross in the east to Goleen in the west. There are seven Trailheads – places where you can park the car, study a map board and set off on a waymarked walk. Many are scenic walks are linear or loop walks with easy routes, some along quiet country lanes.

Three Castle Head – on the Mizen Headland rather than turning for the lighthouse continue to the end of the road to Dunlough Bay carpark. Walk for about 1 hour across a marked route to the castle ruins by a small lake. Well worth the journey.

Cycling in West Cork

Bikes can be hired in Bantry, Glengarriff or Castletownbere for a day or longer. We offer self-guided routes along the Sheep’s Head route, as the Mizen Head route can be busy with cars.

There are no cycle paths in West Cork and the best area at present.

Island Visits

West Cork has many islands, each with its own character and points of interest.

Whiddy Island in Bantry bay has a regular ferry service from the town with walks, a pub and amazing views.    Islands off the south coast include Sherkin Island, Cape Clear, Hare Island, Long Island, all part of Carbery’s Hundred Isles. All have permanent residents.

Sherkin Island has an old ruined abbey, narrow lanes to walk, a lovely beach and a pub.

Take a day trip to Cape Clear, an Irish speaking island, with its country lanes, heritage centre, birdwatching, a goat farm and gin distillery.

Pubs and Music of West Cork

Best Pubs of West Cork for music and craic – There are many great pubs all over west Cork, often run by the same families for generations. The few mentioned here are just a representative sample.

De Barra’s, Main Street, Clonakilty – In one of Ireland’s prettiest towns with bright flower baskets outside and famous for music.

Bushe’s Bar, Baltimore  – At the top of the pier in the coastal village of Baltimore is a square of pubs and cafes. Sandwiches, a meal or quick drink before taking the boats to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear depart from the pier. Great atmosphere and views from the outside seating.

Levis Corner House, Ballydehob A small pub on Main Street, an old-style shop and pub in one room. It features live music with a variety of bands playing or vinyl records for you to play

Hackett’s, Schull– on a cold winter’s day enjoy a bowl of warming soup or in summer sit outside and watch the world go by.

O’Sullivans, Crookhaven – Overlooking the bay near Mizen Head eat outside on a warm day with views of boats at anchor. One of the best places in West Cork for an open crab, prawn or smoked salmon sandwich.

Heritage Sites

Roscarberry Village is a planned village and worth viewing as you drive west towards Skibbereen (more)

Drombeg  Stone circle is an ancient monument overlooking the sea, off a lane near the village of Leap. This is one of Ireland’s best-preserved stone circles, is free to visit and the site also has a fulacht fia (ancient cooking site).

In Baltimore is a restored castle (small charge) and down a lane near Ballydehob is a beautifully restored peach coloured private castle overlooking the sea.

Skibbereen Heritage Centre beside the river has a Famine Exhibition, a genealogy service and Lough Hyne Heritage Exhibition. The Abbeystrewery Famine Graveyard just outside the town is also worth a poignant visit.

Franciscan Abbey, Sherkin – just above the Pier on Sherkin Island is a ruined Franciscan abbey. The ferry from Baltimore takes you to the island in 10 minutes.

Altar Wedge Tomb – West of Schull in a field overlooking the sea is a Wedge Tomb, with a small car park beside the road.

Kealkil to the northeast of Bantry has a particularly fine stone circle.

Killnauren Pillar Stone Bantry – On a road behind the Westlodge Hotel is a sign for Killnauren Stone Circle. The stone has engravings still visible on it. 

Gardens and Big Houses

Bantry House Gardens and Glebe Gardens are among the best in the area. The Atlantic Gulf Stream ocean current gifts West Cork with a year-round mild climate which enables an abundance of lush planting. The West Cork Garden  Trail includes the gardens open in June and some are open all summer. Be inspired by these gardens, some with cafes.

Swim in the Sea and West Cork Beaches

There are many sandy family-friendly beaches in West Cork for all age groups and free to use. Swim in the sea or surf the waves.  Our blog on Cork beaches has details on the best beach t to suit your children’s ages, as not all beaches have sand.

Fastnet Lighthouse

Take a family day trip to Cape Clear Island and then around Fastnet Rock lighthouse. This trip is very weather dependent and takes place in high summer only. A private Charter can be organized for a group up to 12 people

Heron Gallery and other Artists

There are many artists living and working in West Cork. One of the most creative has opened the Heron Gallery in Ahakista, on the Sheep’s Head. The gallery shows the art inspired by local animals and driftwood while the garden is a child’s playground of creativity. The cafe serves delicious vegetarian food. Dunbeacon Pottery makes hand-thrown pots the colour of the sea.

Dun an Oir crafts on the north side of the Sheep’s Head Peninsula is a children’s delight. Take a look at ActivityDays for other artist’s workshops.

Take a sea safari from Baltimore to view the marine life and birds which populate the area. Dolphins and seals are easy to spot and whales can also be sighted in the rich feeding grounds.

Walking

West Cork has many lovely walking and cycling routes to suit all fitness levels. Guides are available for some such as the Sheep’s Head Way. There are also many quiet country lanes where traffic is infrequent.

There is a sailing school on one of the islands near Skibbereen. Bring a picnic and enjoy an empty beach or take a sailing or kayak trip with the family.

Surfing or  Snorkelling

Go Surfing the wild Atlantic waves in  Barleycove, with all equipment provided. Snorkel in Lough Hyne, Ireland’s only seawater lake, to see the marine life up close.

Playgrounds

West Cork is well served with playgrounds on the edge of most towns and villages – just ask where they are. I like the Schull playground overlooking the sea or the Ballydehob playground beside a 9 arch bridge, which carried the rail line in years gone by but is now open to pedestrians.

Fishing

Wet Weather Days

What to do on those wet days?

Bantry Cinemax offers to pre-book service.

Skibbereen has a pottery painting drop-in centre and its Uillinn Centre has interesting exhibitions. 

There are craft workshops which can be pre-booked with activity days with local artists.