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The South West:Layout 1 03/05/2007 16:47 Page 113
located Bantry House celebrates the ill-fated 1796 landings. Tel: can get an up-close view of a seal colony. With limited access for
(027) 50047. The walker will appreciate Sheep’s Head Way, one of visitors with disabilities, the island is open at varying times,
Ireland’s most recent way-marked walks which combines low, rugged depending on the season. Boat owners impose a separate charge for
hills with a splendid cliff-lined coast. From the centre of Bantry town, journeys to and from the island. Tel: (027) 63040. Glengarriff itself
access is through the grounds of Bantry House. boasts a nature reserve situated in the nearby ancient glacial valley,
which is home to a wide variety of animal and bird life, plus an
publicbuilding places of interest impressive array of plant life. The park is ideal for a picnic or stroll
Bantry House and Gardens, Bantry, Co. Cork. Tel: (027) 50047; Email: through some of its 70km of marked trails. In particular, Glengarriff
info@bantryhouse.com Web: www.bantryhouse.com. Home of the White marks the beginning and end of the spectacular 200km Beara Way
family since 1739 and seat of the four Earls of Bantry. The house holds a walking route, which takes you around the entire Beara Peninsula,
collection of tapestries, furniture and art treasures collected by the 2nd offering impressive mountain and coastal scenery.
Earl of Bantry from all over Europe. The gardens contain sub-tropical The Glengarriff Bamboo Park is well worth a visit as it features 30
plants and shrubs, the renowned 100 stepped “stairway to the sky”, the different species of bamboo and 12 different species of palm trees. Also
Italian Garden and the largest wisteria circle in the country. Guest located in the park are 13 mysterious stone pillars, believed to be
accommodation is in the main house. Self-catering accommodation in ancient, though the exact date and significance is unknown. Visitors can
the Gate Lodge. Open daily from March 17th to end of October. enjoy unique views of Glengarriff Harbour and coastal woodland walks.
CAPE CLEAR ISLAND & SHERKIN ISLAND guestrooms accommodation
The 45-minute boat trip from Baltimore to Cape Clear Island sails Glengarriff Park Hotel and Spa, The Village, Glengarriff, Co. Cork. Tel:
through Carbery’s Hundred Isles. Shearwaters and petrels skim the (027) 63000; Fax: (027) 63526; Email: info@glengarriffpark.com;
clear waters of Roaring Water while dolphins, porpoise, seals and Web: http://glengarriffpark.com. New luxury hotel perfectly located in
the occasional whale surface to entertain the onlookers! Cape Clear the heart of Glengarriff Village, at the entrance to the Blue Pool Park
Island, Ireland’s most southerly island, is a haven for birds. From and Garnish Island. The hotel boasts 28 luxurious bedrooms,
the Fastnet Rock, the last landfall before America, and known as traditional Irish bar and exquisite dining facilities in the Blue Pool
“the teardrop of Ireland”, Mizen Head lighthouse marks the most Bistro. Step into luxury at the Health & Beauty Spa where visitors can
southerly point of Ireland. avail of 3 treatment rooms, fully equipped gym, sauna, steam room,
hydrotherapy pool and relaxation area. Spa opening 2008.
CASTLETOWNBERE
Castletownbere is Ireland’s largest whitefish port and an excellent base shopping shopping
for exploring the Beara Peninsula. A ferry to nearby Bere Island Irish Craft Centre, Glengarriff, Co. Cork. Tel: (027) 63201; Web:
operates from the town’s quay and, further down the coast, there’s a www.aransweatermarket.com. Irish Craft Centre specialises in high
cable car ride to Dursey Island at the end of the peninsula. The quality, locally produced handcrafts. In their wide range you will find
scenery of the Beara region is quite spectacular and there are hand-knitted Aran sweaters, designer knitwear, handcrafted Celtic
excellent opportunities for walking and climbing – not least the jewellery, pottery, tweeds, woollens and much more. Highly regarded
Sugarloaf Mountain and Hungry Hill. The Call of the Sea Visitor Centre for quality and value.
brings to life the story of the maritime history of the Beara region. For
tourist information, contact (027) 70054. GOLEEN
Goleen is a pretty village in a lovely setting on the road to Mizen
CLONAKILTY Head, where the Mizen Vision project is worth daring to cross the lofty
Fifty kilometres south west of Cork City on the N71, the small town of bridge to the former lighthouse keepers' quarters.
Clonakilty is a popular tourist centre with a lively pub and music
scene. It takes pride in being the 1999 National Tidy Towns winner dining dining & entertainment
and is famed for its legendary black pudding, a true Irish delicacy. The Heron’s Cove, The Harbour, Goleen, West Cork. Near Ireland’s
Here you will find the West Cork Model Railway Village, a fascinating most south westerly-point, Mizen Head. Tel: (028) 35225; Fax:
miniature world depicting life in West Cork during the 1940s and (028) 35422; Email: suehill@eircom.net; Web:
featuring a working model of the long closed West Cork Railway. Also www.heronscove.com and www.heroncove.ie. A place to enjoy fresh
located here is the Arigideen Valley Heritage Park, which interprets the fish and wine on the harbour. Comfortable, cosy rooms are all en
history, traditions and folklore of West Cork. During summer, the park suite with sea views. The Seaside Restaurant uses the best of fresh
has Michael Collins evenings, which feature a slide show and talk produce and serves fish, shellfish, lobster, steaks, duck, lamb,
exploring his life. homemade bread and desserts. Open all year for B&B and dinner.
The restaurant is open nightly April to October. (November to
publicbuilding places of interest March, bookings only).
West Cork Model Railway Village, The Station, Inchydoney Road,
Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Tel: (023) 33224; Email: pointofinterest activities & pastimes
modelvillage@eircom.net; Web: www.modelvillage.ie. Step back in Mizen Head Signal Station, Mizen Head (near Goleen), West Cork.
time to life in the 1940s in this award-winning miniature model of Ireland’s most south-westerly point! Tel: (028) 35115/35225; Email:
West Cork, which incorporates the towns of Clonakilty, Bandon, info@mizenhead.ie; Web: www.mizenhead.net and www.mizenhead.ie.
Kinsale and Dunmanway and the trains that meander through these The award-winning Mizen Head Visitor Centre in the Irish Lights
towns. Enjoy a coffee in the authentic dining car overlooking Signal Station is an amazing place that you must experience. The
Clonakilty Bay, browse through the gift shop or tour Clonakilty town in famous Arched Bridge, the 99 steps, Navigational Aids Simulator,
the new road train. Young and old alike will enjoy this great day out. Fastnet Rock Lighthouse model, high cliffs and the wild Atlantic
Wheelchair accessible. Ocean waves all add up to a memorable visit, which is well worth a
detour. Stop into the Mizen Café for delicious homemade food, tea
GLENGARRIFF and coffee. Marine gifts, toys, books and souvenirs are all available in
Glengarriff is the access point for Ilnacullin (Garnish Island). This sub- Shop @ The Mizen.
tropical island boasts a wealth of unique specimens. The island is
known to horticulturalists and garden lovers worldwide as a place of KINSALE
rare beauty and the reasons are almost immediately evident to visitors. Kinsale – which one Irish writer described as “crawling with history” –
The boat trip to and from the island is an experience in itself, as one is an intimate, picturesque village overlooking the estuary of the River
the south west 113
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