The West Cork Tour

Mizen Head

Mizen Head is Ireland's most south westerly point. Mizen Head signalling station is now open to the public and a new bridge has been built that connects the station to the mainland.

The bridge has a span of over 52 metres and is an exact replica of the original Victorian steel bridge.

Rosscarberry

Rosscarberry is a small town that is built on a shallow estuary. It has a long history and settlements were established there before 2000BC. Rosscarberry was a major learning centre and one of the major cities of Europe around the 6th century. Pictured on the left is Rosscarberry town and on the right is Warren Beach.

The town has a cathedral, several beaches and many Stone Circles, Ring Forts and Holy Wells.

Skibbereen

Skibbereen mean "little boat harbour". The town dates back to around 1657 and suffered badly during the Great Famine of Ireland.

It is said that 8000-10000 famine victims are buried in Abbeystrewery Graveyard and there is a memorial for them in the skibbereen Heritage Centre.

Ballydehob

Ballydehob is a coastal village with a rich history. Copper was mined here in the Bronze age and stone circles, wedge and boulder tombs were also constructed at this time. Pictured above is Ballydehob Pier on the left and the railway Bridge which dates from 1886 on the right.

At its height the area had a population of almost 20,000 but the Famine and emigration almost wiped out the population and the area has a resident population of 200.

Schull

Schull is a small town which and is situated in a remote and scenic part of West Cork. It is dominated by Mount Gabrial and it has a sheltered harbour.

Schull is said to be one of the most picturesque villages in West Cork. The air is also said to be some of the freshest as it comes from over 2000 miles of open sea.

Goleen

Goleen is a small village and it is renowned worldwide for the beauty of its rugged landscape and ancient heritage.
The village was built during the nineteenth century at a crossroads where a fair at which cattle were sold was held often. There is a wide road that goes through the village and all the houses were originally built as shops.There is the hidden harbour from which the village takes its name, 'Goilin' (little inlet) is easily recognizable once you venture down the lane.

Crookhaven

The tiny hamlet of Crookhaven lies about as far down in south-west Cork as you can go without falling into the sea. It is tucked snugly on the sheltered side of a narrow neck of land which creates a deep inlet - the 'crooked haven' which gave the little settlement its name.

It's the very epitome of a sleepy fishing village. Brightly-coloured boats bob at anchor; pastel-coloured cottages slumber in the sunshine along the sloping street. A pub spills tables and chairs out on to the quayside among the drying fishing nets, a small shop sells groceries and postcards as well as shrimping nets, buckets and spades. It looks as though nothing ever has or ever could happen to disturb its peace.

Fastnet Rock

Fastnet Rock, which in Irish is Carraig Aonair, meaning "solitary rock / lone rock" is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean and the most southerly point of Ireland. It lies 6.5 kilometres southwest of Cape Clear Island and 13 kilometres from County Cork on the Irish mainland.

Due to its location, Fastnet was known as 'Ireland's Teardrop' because it was the last part of the country that Irish emigrants would see as they sailed to the United States in the 19th century.