Here are some suggestions for exploration during your stay in wonderful West Cork.

With comfortable accommodation in your luxury West Cork cottage you are close to Skibbereen, Baltimore, Schull, Glandore and the rest of the beautiful West Cork area. You have a great choice of places to see and things to do.

• Skibbereen Heritage Centre

  www.skibbheritage.com Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-6pm.

  
  This is a great starting point for any visit to Skibbereen and West Cork. It can be saved for a rainy day as it is one of very few indoor attractions. The Heritage Centre is divided into two parts. One half is dedicated to an exhibition of the Famine. When the Famine of 1845-47 hit, Skibbereen was one of the worst affected areas. The moving story is depicted in this exhibition. The other half of the Centre is dedicated to Lough Hyne and gives an insight into this beautiful and mysterious marine nature reserve. Get the background then visit the real thing.

• Lough Hyne

  www.skibbheritage.com

  
  No.1 in our ‘do not miss’ chart. Just a couple of miles south of Skibbereen, this beautiful lough is Ireland’s largest sea water lake. It is a marine nature reserve and spectacularly beautiful. There are some lovely walks around the lough but the forest walk to the top of Knockanagh Hill is just super. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour but the view of the entire coastline from the top is worth it.

• Baltimore

  www.baltimore.ie

  
  Busy in summer but still enchanting. From here jump on a ferry to Sherkin Island or Cape Clear for deserted beaches and a real Irish experience . Take a leisurely stroll from the village to the Beacon and if you’ve got a head for heights, stand facing the expanse of the Atlantic – next stop America

• The Mizen Peninsula

  www.mizenhead.ie

  
  A fabulous day out. Passing through Schull, Goleen, Crookhaven, Barleycove Beach until you literally come to land’s end and the Mizen Vision Exhibition. Park the car at the Visitor Centre and make sure you walk to the old Coastguards Station at the very tip of Ireland.

• Union Hall and Glandore

  
  Quaint, charming, colourful with lunch at Hayes Bar then visit Drombeg stone circle. Glandore is often described as Millionaires Row with holiday homes belonging to Tony O’Reilly (Ireland’s richest man), Lord Callaghan (former British PM), Baroness Jay and Carol Vorderman.

• Castletownshend

  Don’t miss the pier, the church, the castle or Mary Ann’s pub.

• Ballydehob

  www.ballydehob.ie

  
  Ask us about the walk to Roaring Water Bay. Most people drive past.

• Schull

  www.schull.ie

  
  Ever popular. A good selection of craft shops and shops selling West Cork produce.

• Bantry House

  www.bantryhouse.com

  
  On those rare rainy days, a visit is a must and includes the 1798 Armada Exhibition.

• Gougane Barra

  
  About 20 minutes further on from Bantry. Our favourite retreat come rain or shine. Forest walks, waterfalls, lakes.

• Clonakilty and Rosscarbery

  
  The former is the home of West Cork Model Village and the famous Black Pudding whilst the latter offers Warren Strand, the lagoon with canoes and just great scenery.

• The Ring of Beara

  In our opinion much better than the Ring of Kerry and certainly less congested. Ask us about beaches, villages, pubs and the scenery.

• Glengarriff and Garnish Island

  
  Well worth it just for the drive then get the ferry to the Italianate gardens on the island finishing up with tea in the Eccles Hotel.

• Sandycove, Tragumna and Tralispeen

  Sandy beaches, secluded coves, beautiful bays – all within 10 minutes drive.