West Cork is an area of outstanding beauty with a range of attractions and activities to choose from.
14/05/2020
WEST CORK
Historic Attractions
Skibbereen Heritage Centre
Skibbereen Heritage Centre offers two interesting exhibitions – the first is on the Great Famine and the second has information on Lough Hyne, the centre also provides a genealogy service for the local area.
Michael Collins Centre
At the Michael Collins centre visitors can enjoy a comprehensive presentation on the life of Michael Collins. With live illustrated presentations, audiovisuals and a collection of Michael Collins memorabilia.
West Cork Heritage Centre
This charming exhibition takes visitors through time to experience Bandon town as it was in time’s past.
Timoleague Abbey
Timoleague Franciscan friary is located on the bank of the River Argideen. It was built on the site of an earlier church dedicated to St Molaga whose feast was celebrated here until the seventeenth century. The foundation has been attributed to Domhnall Got MacCarthy (d. 1252) in 1240 and also to William de Barry (d. 1373), with his wife Margery de Courcy, in the early fourteenth century. The extensive remains incorporating the church, domestic ranges and a sally port were built in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, with additions built in the fifteenth and seventeenth century.
Drombeg Stone Circle
Drombeg is thought to be Ireland's most famous stone circle, it is a recumbent circle with the recumbent or altar stone lying to the south-west.
Outdoor Attractions
Bantry House and Gardens
Bantry House and Garden is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay on the Wild Atlantic Way with a private collection of furniture and objects of art. Home to the White family since 1739 the house was opened to the public in 1946. Visitors can explore the house and garden and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea in the tearoom.
Mizen Visitor Centre
At the end of the Mizen Peninsula, the cliffs of Mizen Head rise high above the Atlantic Ocean. Experience stunning views of the Wild Atlantic Way. Cork City Tours offer a day trip from Cork City Centre.
Cape Clear
Cape Clear is Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, only 3 miles long by 1 mile wide, it lies 8 miles off the coast of West Cork. 3 miles west of the island stands the Fastnet Rock lighthouse.
Lisselan Estate
Situated on the banks of the Argideen River and built in 1851/53 by William Bence-Jones in a French Chateau Style. The estate is a fantastic place to visit with beautiful gardens and a great 9 hole golf course, there are also rich angling opportunities and the ancestral home of Henry Ford is located on the estate grounds.
Walking Trails
West Cork Garden Trail
The gardens of West Cork are wonderful and diverse, healing and tranquil, exciting and unmissable
Garnish Island
Garnish Island is located in the harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. Garnish is world renowned for its gardens which are laid out in beautiful walks and it has some stunning specimen plants.
Golf
Lisselan Golf Club
Lisselan golf course is one of the most challenging and picturesque courses in the world.
Rosscarbery Pitch & Putt
One of the most beautifully situated and well kept links courses in Ireland.
Walking and Hiking
There are a number of interesting walks around West Cork including Cape Clear Island Walks and Castlefreke.
Family Activities
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf
Enjoy a fantastic day out for all the family and have fun with 5 amazing attractions including adventure golf, the crazy maze, Ireland’s largest maize maze and the tasty treats of the on site Cafe.
Lagoon Activity Centre
Located in a lake at the heart of Rosscarbery , the Lagoon activity centre offers a safe haven for a great day of paddling in kayaks or pedalo boats.
The Model Railway Village
Visit the Model Village to see reproductions of West Cork towns in miniature all joined up by a working railway track. Enjoy a cup of tea in the railway coach at the centre, and then take the train for a ride around Clonakilty town.
