Vacation Time: West Cork Coast
- 20h
- 2 min read
The place to be on St Patrick’s Day
ALTHOUGH NOT DEFINED BY A BORDER, the West Cork Coast lies to the west of Cork City and continues down to Ireland’s most southerly point at Mizen Head. Its breathtaking coastal views, historic sites and charming seaside towns are easily equal to those found in the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry, and they are relatively crowd free.
THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY is a 2,500-kilometre driving route that delivers an unforgettable look at Ireland’s western coast: West Cork’s portion of the route runs from Kinsale to the Beara Peninsula. Marvel at the rugged cliffs and crashing waves; stop off at picturesque fishing villages, like Ballydehob, Skibbereen and Schull; and admire the golden sand beaches.
BANTRY HOUSE IS A STRIKING EXAMPLE of Georgian architecture with glorious grounds to explore. Built by Richard White, the first Earl of Bantry, in the 18th-century, the estate has been passed down through the Hare family for generations. Take a guided tour to admire the grand reception rooms and a marvellous collection of artwork and antiques.
FASTNET LIGHTHOUSE PROTECTS AGAINST SHIPWRECKS in the surrounding waters, and is affectionately known as the Teardrop of Ireland. Perched on a rock, it’s not open to the public but you can take a ferry ride out to see it up close. These tours also take you to Cape Clear Island, a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area, which homes a bird observatory.
THE DRUID’S ALTAR AT GLANDORE dates back to the Bronze Age. The 9.3-metre stone circle originally consisted of 17 closely spaced stones of which 13 survive. Two taller stones mark the entrance to the circle, and face a recumbent altar stone. This arrangement creates a south-west axis, and orients the monument in the direction of the setting sun during the midwinter solstice.
MIZEN HEAD TOWERS ABOVE THE ATLANTIC at Ireland’s southern tip. From the Maritime Museum, you can climb down 99 steps to cross Mizen Head Footbridge. This dramatic suspension bridge stretches across a gorge that separates the mainland from the Mizen Peninsula. As you take in the waves crashing 45 metres below, you may spot the resident colony of seals.
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY, March 17 this year, is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Ireland, and arguably the place to be is Clonakilty – De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty, to be exact. Grab a locally brewed Guinness, craft beer or whiskey and settle back as musicians gather to play traditional fiddles, flutes and bodhráns.
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