The South West:Layout 1 03/05/2007 17:01 Page 137
YOUGHAL – KINSALE – MIZEN HEAD – CORK CITY: APPROX 250KM
ROADTRIP
THIS SPECTACULAR JOURNEY TRAVELS THROUGH SOME OF THE
Blarney Youghal
Macroom
CORK
N25
COUNTRY’S MOST SCENIC TOWNS AND VILLAGES, TAKING IN A STUNNING
N22 Midleton
R584 N71
Bantry
Kinsale
VISTA OF RUGGED COASTLINES ALONG THE ROUTE – FROM YOUGHAL N71 Clonakilty Timoleague
Bantry Bay Schull
N71
Rosscarbery
TO HISTORIC KINSALE ON THE ATLANTIC COASTLINE AND MIZEN HEAD
Skibbereen
N
Crookhaven
R591
Baltimore
BEFORE LOOPING GENTLY BACK TO CORK ALONG THE RIVER LEE.
From Youghal, travel south-west to Midleton, a town famous since the 19th century for whiskey distilling. Today
one of its main attractions is the Jameson Heritage Centre which celebrates this tradition with guided tours and
whiskey tastings. From Midleton, follow the N25 as far as Cork City, taking the turn-off on to the R600 and head
south as far as Kinsale, a town steeped in history and an epicurean’s delight. Still on the R600, follow the coast
road with its spectacular scenery as far as Timoleague, with its well-preserved 13th century friary. Next stop is
Clonakilty, a small town dating from the 17th century which has plenty to interest the tourist both in the town
itself and also nearby, including the excellent West Cork Regional Museum and a 10-day festival held in the town
every July.
Next, take the N71 to the small town of Rosscarbery where the founder of the Fenian movement, O’Donovan
Rossa, was born. Continue on to Skibbereen – if you arrive on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you can see the weekly
market in operation. From Skibbereen, either drive the 13km to Baltimore – scene of a 17th century sacking by
Algerian pirates and today still popular with sailors – or take the N71 around to the busy town of Schull and on to
Crookhaven near Mizen Head with its magnificent views. (Incidentally, you can also take a 45-minute boat journey
to Cape Clear Island off Baltimore, a haven for walkers and birdwatchers.)
From Crookhaven, take the R591 for a spectacular drive to Bantry, scene of a failed landing by French forces in
the 18th century, an event commemorated at the French Armada Centre. Other places of interest include the 18th
century Bantry House with its gardens and tapestries. Bantry holds a Mussel Fair every May.
From Bantry, take the N71 north, turning east on to the R584 over the Shehy Mountains, stopping at
Ballingeary Forest Park before arriving in Macroom to join the N22 back to Cork City. If you’re still feeling
energetic, take the N20 for a short trip to Blarney, site of the famous Blarney Stone and Castle. Otherwise, follow
the N25 back to Youghal.
the south west 137
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196  |  Page 197  |  Page 198  |  Page 199  |  Page 200  |  Page 201  |  Page 202  |  Page 203  |  Page 204  |  Page 205  |  Page 206  |  Page 207  |  Page 208  |  Page 209  |  Page 210  |  Page 211  |  Page 212  |  Page 213  |  Page 214  |  Page 215  |  Page 216  |  Page 217  |  Page 218  |  Page 219  |  Page 220  |  Page 221  |  Page 222  |  Page 223  |  Page 224  |  Page 225  |  Page 226  |  Page 227  |  Page 228  |  Page 229  |  Page 230  |  Page 231  |  Page 232  |  Page 233  |  Page 234  |  Page 235  |  Page 236  |  Page 237  |  Page 238  |  Page 239  |  Page 240  |  Page 241