Top 5 - West Cork
Most people, when being asked about their memories of West Cork, mention summer holidays, great food, the sea and the rugged peninsulas and somehow feeling ‘unplugged’ from the rest of the world.
And it is true. Growing up here has made me kind and passionate. Thanks to West Cork, I developed a strong connection to nature and arts and I can value the good things in life. You care for each other here. And it’s a place where you realise things take time. It helps you to slow down.
It’s magical.
Nature sets the pace in beautiful West Cork in the southwest of Ireland. It stretches from the picturesque south-coast town of Kinsale to the Atlantic and the three peninsulas of Beara, Sheep’s Head and Mizen Head.
Everything in West Cork is perfect for long active days outside in the salty air. Whether it’s at the gorgeous beaches, safe and very picturesque harbours or in tiny coves. You can swim, sail, surf, do whale watching, dive, spot wildlife/birds, go kayaking, go pony-trekking, go hiking or just enjoy some of the amazing fresh and local food West Cork has to offer.
Winters can be long and hard down here but overall, nature is gentle and generous in West Cork. Thanks to that, West Cork has a great food culture. You can find wonderful and award-winning artisan producers, farmers and chefs here. No wonder my favourite farmers’ markets are all situated in West Cork.
The lovely temperate micro-climate and subtropical gardens make you wonder if you’re really in Ireland and if you’re a fan of plants and flowers, you’re going to love the beautiful lanes thick with fuchsia, colourful hydrangeas and bright orange montbretia. The colours seem to pop in West Cork and there’s colour everywhere - whether it’s the flowers, the glimpses of blue water through the bushes or soft greens (golden-brown in autumn and winter - love it!).
I might (definitely) be biased here, but I believe West Cork is the BEST place to go for your staycation. To read more about West Cork, be sure to check my blog post about West Cork here.
To help you with planning, here are my Top 5 for West Cork:
1 Bantry + Glengarriff
Bantry has it all and is a real gem in West Cork. Whether you’re into history, sightseeing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, pony-trekking, road trips or just enjoying your time with great food and lovely people, you found the right place to be. Framed by the beautiful Caha Mountains and the hills of Sheep’s Head, Bantry is one of Ireland’s most charming and attractive seascapes. Read more about Bantry in my blog post here . Bantry is also the springboard for trips to the Beara Peninsula.
Glengarriff is a lovely little town with neatly painted shopfronts, cafés, pubs and craft shops. Expect it to be overrun in summer with tourists, but it’s lovely and quiet in late spring and early autumn. The area around Glengarriff is filled with beautiful green gardens, islands and thick woods. Be sure to visit the Bamboo Park and explore Garinish/Garnish Island.
On your way from Glengarriff to Castletownbere, keep an eye out for the Healy Pass in Adrigole (views!).
2 Exploring the Beara Peninsula
The Beara Peninsula, situated in the south-west of Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way, offers some breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. Whether it’s sunny with blue skies when you’re there or misty and moody, we are sure you’re going to love it and will never forget your time here. Beara lies both in County Kerry and County Cork with most of it being part of West Cork. You’ll find picturesque and colourful fishing villages every now and then. Have your camera ready wherever you go! And you’ll want to take your time driving around the peninsula, exploring the beautiful area and stopping off at lovely beaches or historical sights such as stone circles and ring forts. I wrote a whole blog post about the Beara Peninsula here .
3 Mizen Head Peninsula
Mizen Head is beautiful at any time. You might be lucky to spot whales but even if they aren’t around, the relentless waves and beautiful rough cliffs are worth it. Not to forget the views you get from up there. Follow the path over the bridge linking the two islands and explore the lighthouse / fog signal station with its exhibition of earlier days. Memories of past times are strong and alive here at Mizen Head and you can’t stop thinking about how life was like back then.
Barleycove is one of the best beaches I know. Its golden sands, sand dunes and blue water are definitely worth a visit. Make a stop there on your way to Mizen Head or spend a whole day at Barleycove beach swimming and building sand castles - it’s all possible here.
4 Baltimore + whale watching
The southwest coast is one of the best places for whale watching. Try Whale Watch West Cork in Baltimore, they are amazing (not sponsored).
Baltimore itself is beautiful as well. It has a lively quayside and is dedicated maritime. It is the ferry port for the islands of Sherkin and Cape Clear and can get quite crowded in summer.
5 Hiking on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula
Sheep’s Head Peninsula is a must if you love hiking as the loop walks are brilliant. The views left to Three Castle Head and the Mizen Peninsula and right over to the Beara Peninsula are breathtaking. The whole peninsula is great for spending a day exploring - lakes, beaches, paths up the mountain, churches, secluded coves or burial grounds. The road ends at a car park with a visitor centre and café near by (Tooreen Turning Table). From there a circular walking trail starts out to the Sheep Head’s Lighthouse and back again. No dogs were allowed the last time I stopped there, so keep this in mind if your pawsome friend is travelling with you.
Are you travelling with your dog? I wrote a blog post about my experiences and recommendations here .
If you’re looking for dog-friendly accommodation in Ireland, here’s a blog post about my favourites.
Enjoy your staycation in West Cork!
Etta x