Barleycove is a large and fine beach, popular for youngsters. Finally, Mizen Head, the most south-westerly point of Ireland, has a Fog Signal Station to which you can walk from the visitor centre, a great and spectacular walk.
Less dramatic, the northside of the peninsula is nonetheless interesting to visit. Following the coastal road via Durrus, you will reach Bantry. Bantry House & Gardens (call 50047 for information or visit www.bantryhouse.ie). Although the house is superbly located, the gardens are the greatest asset of the site. An exhibition on the 1796 French Armada relates the attempted landing of La Surveillante, a French armada frigate. The exhibition is located in the former stables of Bantry House. The best place for traditional music in Bantry is Crowley’s on The Square.
SHEEP’S HEAD PENINSULA
Less visited than the other peninsula, Sheep’s Head has nonetheless a lot to offer: amazing seascapes and solitude…
Goat’s Path Scenic Route runs along the northside, the Sheep’s Head Cycle Route (88km) traces the coastline round to Durrus, and the Sheep’s Head Way is a walking route but doesn’t necessarily follow the coast thus providing a great link between the north and the south coasts.
BEARA PENINSULA
Impressive is the word to describe the landscapes of the Beara Peninsula. The 196km Beara Way runs through mountains and green valleys, from Glengarriff to Kenmare in county Kerry.
Located in Bantry Bay, Glengariff is a pleasant village which is always crowded in season. The micro-climate there allows the magnificent Bamboo Park (call 63040 for information) to flourish so well. The park consists in 12 hectares of exotic gardens and woodland.
On Garinish Island, an English architect created an Italianate garden planted with many exotic species which did not exist in Ireland at that time but are still flourishing. Oak and pine woods over 300 hectares form what is known as Glengariff Woods Nature Reserve.
Castletownbere is where the Derreenataggart Stone Circle stands (10 stones).
The tiny Dursley Island lies at the end of the peninsula and is a wild bird and whale sanctuary.
On the northside of the peninsula, the road leads to Eyeries, Lauragh and the unique Healy Pass.
GETTING AROUND THE PENINSULAS
Buses operate between Skibbereen and Schull, and between Skibbereen and Goleen (last stop as they don’t go further down the peninsula).
Bus Eireann (call 450 8188 for information) has buses between Bantry and Cork via Glengariff.
Berehaven Bus (call 70007 for information) links Castletownbere with Bantry via Glengariff.
Bantry Rural Transport (call 52727 for information) runs services to Durris, Goleen, Schull, Skibbereen and other villages.
Harbour Queen Ferries (call 63116 for information) and Blue Pool Ferries (call 63333 for information) both serve Garinish Island. |
