WEST CORK WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE  - A LOCALS GUIDE

So you’re thinking of visiting West Cork?
Now I know web-sites are supposed to be concise and to the point so that you - dear reader - don’t waste valuable minutes out of valuable hours into which you try and cram your life which hurtles along at 100 mph (or 160 km/hr as we Europeans say)...but hold on a minute.

You are coming to West Cork.
Slow down. Relax and take a few minutes to read about what’s in store for you when you arrive in West Cork. You might even want to print this page out and bring it with you.

First of all you’ll find lovely people. You know, the sort who talk to you in shops, who will raise a finger in acknowledgement when you pass them on a country road....like in the old days. You’ll find magnificent scenery - from fishing villages to lakes, from mountains to deserted beaches with secluded coves. You’ll find great pubs with great music and you’ll find great restaurants.

And you’ll find plenty to do. As we say, there is as much....or as little... to do as you want.
You could do worse than choose Skibbereen as a base for your stay in West Cork. It’s a great little town with about 3000 people and 26 pubs. It has award winning restaurants, great local shops and plenty of colour. And it’s also close to everything - and don’t forget to visit the Heritage Centre while you’re here.

The nearest beach is Tragumna - a Blue Flag beach - just 3 miles from Skibb and there’s a couple of other beauties that we’ll share with you on a need to know basis. The best known West Cork beach is Barleycove - about 30-40minutes from Skibb.

Within 15-20 minutes drive you have the beautiful West Cork fishing villages of Baltimore, Union Hall, Schull, Glandore and Castletownshend. Each has its own identity and usually its own collection of great pubs and restaurants.
DAYS OUT
If you’re staying in one of our places then here are some of our favourite days out..
Mizen Head. A great day out. On the way from Skibb stop in Ballydehob and walk to Roaring Water Bay. Take in Schull and visit the Courtyard for authentic West Cork produce and don’t miss Mizen Vision and the old Coastguard station at the very tip of Ireland.
Lough Hyne. Just a few miles from Skibb this is our favourite place. A beautiful sea lough with a fantastic forest walk to the top of Knockonagh Hill overlooking the entire coastline - breathtaking.
Baltimore and the Islands. Hop on a ferry to Sherkin Island or Cape Clear. Walk to the Beacon and return for a refreshing pint in Bushes Bar. It’s a great little place with super dining at places like the Customs House or Rolfs.
Go east my man. Take in the small beautiful villages of Castletownshend, Union Hall and stop for lunch at Hayes Bar in Glandore for great sandwiches with great views of the Atlantic. Carry on towards Clonakilty and Inchydoney Beach and take in the Model Village in Clon if you’ve got the family in tow.
Head north towards Bantry. Take in Bantry House and the great drive along Bantry Bay. Head off to Gougane Barra - a beautiful natural reserve with a magnificent lake, fabulous forest walks and mountain streams.
Forget the Ring of Kerry - the Ring of Beara is miles better. Unspoilt, dramatic scenery with a super mix of colourful villages, beaches, rivers and mountain passes. It’s even got its own cable car to Dursey Island..... and not a woollen shop in sight.

And if you fancy something a bit more energetic try the following.
Cycling - hire bikes from Dick Roycroft in Skibbereen. Tel 028 21235
Golf - Skibbereen has a super 18 hole course as has Bantry
Angling - salmon on the River Ilen, Skibbereen, trout in the lakes of Shepperton and sea angling from the fishing villages.
Sailing at the famous Glenans Sailing Club in Baltimore.
Diving also at Baltimore.
For more local topical information check out the local paper, the famous Southern Star.

And don’t forget...if you’re staying at one of our places you also have this font of local knowledge to draw upon.
 Sure you’d be crazy to go anywhere else.

For Accommodation www.exclusivelywestcork.com Grove House,  Skibbereen, West Cork Ireland
Tel  353 (0)28 22957 Email relax@grovehouse.net