Ireland Travel | West Cork Travel | Kerry Travel | Dingle Travel | Irish Travel | Ireland Travels
ireland-travels.com
facebook.com/IrelandTravels
Follow @TravelsIreland
In the early winter of 2012, I spent nine days trudging from field to field and tower to tower in Southwest Ireland. My trip was based in the Mizen Peninsula in West Cork. Along the way, I visited Castledonovan, Toormore, attempted to have tea with Jeremy Irons at his Kilcoe Castle, got lost down beautiful country roads, scaled the walls to visit the ruins of Rossbrin Castle and Raheen Castle near Rineen. I also spent a fantastic day exploring the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. While there I visited Inch Beach, Minard Castle, the Dunbeg Promontory Fort, Coumeenoole Beach, Gallerus Oratory and Kilmalkedar Monastery. I finished my nine days in West Cork exploring an old estate and castle in Downeen near Rosscarbery, Coppinger's Court, the ancient Drombeg Stone Circle and braved the lady of the lake at Three Castle Head. Please join me on this fantastic tour of one of the most amazing places on earth.
As Robert Frost Once Said...
Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing my personal thoughts, practical ideas and historical facts about my most recent trip to West Cork. On this particular trip, I was by myself as I explored many sites in the West Cork area that over time have largely been forgotten. I also spent a very long day seeing Dingle. I will be telling the story using my words and photographs. I make no claims of being Mark Twain or Ansel Adams, but I will do my best to create an image that captures the magic of West Cork.
The title of this series is Nine Days in the Mud. I know it's not a very original considering I was in Ireland for nine days in late November and early December but Road to West Cork sounded too Bing and Bob.
Planning for this trip started like most when I'm traveling without my wife and kids. I travel a great deal for work and adding that extra week away from the family is sometimes hard to reconcile in my mind. Shawn, my wife, keeps assuring me that it is fine. I grumble about feeling bad for leaving them yet again for the sake of having fun. Ultimately, the cycle is broken, and I head to the Aer Lingus website to purchase my ticket. There's no turning back now. On the evening of November 25, I'm headed to Ireland!
With two days to spare, I decided to get my trip planned. I don't want to be over prepared! I grabbed my books, my ordinance maps and a cup of coffee. It was reminiscent of an old war movie with a grizzled general studying the map table determining his strategy. One book in particular was very helpful. It was written by Jack Roberts and is called Exploring West Cork: The Guide to Discovering the Ancient, Sacred and Historic Sites of West Cork. The book details so many lost places in West Cork and gives a general idea of where they're located. From here, I would go to my collection of Ordnance Survey Ireland maps to find the exact location. I paged through the book marking places of interest and then marked them with color coded Post-its. My maps were painted with rainbows of Irish fun, and I was basking in the organized glow of the German part of my ancestry. With a plan in place, I was ready to go.
Before I end, I have to get something off my chest. This is a note (and the practical information portion of this program) for those of you who have never been to Ireland. ALL Irish tourist sites and brochures lie. Every one of them. Without exception. Scandalous words I know.
Here's my point before I'm taken out back and made to eat my words. You look at all this material, and what do you see? You see people in shirtsleeves enjoying the sites while basking in the sun. Oh sure, some of the photos have a bit of cloud cover and people wearing jackets. However, they never show the days, and there are lots of them, when it's extremely windy and raining sideways. Just once, I'd like to see a mass of miserable tourists huddled around a small fire attempting to raise their temperature to pleasantly frozen. A lot of places in the world claim to have four seasons in one day. Ireland does this regularly, beautifully and without fanfare!
So. What did Robert Frost say?
From his poem The Road Not Taken:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Let's take that less traveled road. You never know who or what you'll meet.
Places visited:
Castledonovan
Kilcoe Castle -- Jeremy Irons
Rossbrin Castle
Inch Beach
Minard Castle
Dunbeg Promontory Fort
Dingle
Coumeenoole Beach
Reask Monastic Site
Gallarus Oratory
Kilmalkedar Monastery
Raheen Castle
Castlehaven Harbor
Glandore
Downeen Castle
Coppinger's Court
Drombeg Stone Cirlce
Christmas tree Skibbereen
Lough Hyne
Three Castle Head
Durrus
Schull
Dunbeacon
Dumanus Bay
Bantry
Cashel
ireland-travels.com
facebook.com/IrelandTravels
Follow @TravelsIreland
Track title: Lonely Wanderer
License Type: Standard License
Publisher: SoundDogs
Union Hall, West Cork
Aerial footage of Unionhall, West Cork.
Union Hall is a small fishing village located in County Cork, Ireland, located on the west side of Glandore Harbour. Its nearest neighbour to the west is Castletownshend; to the east, Glandore Village. It is approximately 10 kilometers east of Skibbereen. The main source of employment is fishing and the pier has its own ice plant and fish processing factory.
Among its many tourist attractions are boat trips to view whales, dolphins and seals. Seals can be seen all year round, with dolphins and Fin Whales, Minke Whales and Humpback Whales present in summer months.
Drombeg Stone Circle, Most Visited Sites in Ireland
Drombeg stone circle, also known as The Druid's Altar is the most visited archaeological sites in Ireland. The site is located in West Cork, peaceful countryside.
For more videos ►
My most popular Youtube videos ►
Click Here to Subscribe ►
Follow me on Google+ ►
Glandore Swimming Spots
Here are 3 cool swimming spots near Glandore Harbour in West Cork. The first 2 are slightly west of Glandore heading towards Leap or Union Hall. The 3rd spot is heading east out of town towards Drombeg Stone Circle. Enjoy.
Remember to be safe and careful swimming anywhere in the ocean. Take relevant precautions.
Ireland's South West
- Ireland's South West presented by Michael Martin from Titanic Trail
Clonakilty, West Cork
Aerial footage of Clonakilty, West Cork.
Clonakilty, sometimes shortened to Clon, is a town in County Cork, Ireland. The town is located at the head of the tidal Clonakilty Bay. The rural hinterland is used mainly for dairy farming. The town's population as of 2016 was 4,592. The town is a tourism hub in West Cork, and was recognized as the Best Town in Europe in 2017, and Best Place of the Year in 2017 by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.
Travel Ireland
Travel Ireland to take a journey into the magical. The rugged beauty of the land is matched only by the hospitality of the people. While taking a tour of Ireland you should always include time to travel West Cork.
Many people travel Ireland to have a unique experience. Whether you go to see the jagged coastline pounded under the relentless power of the Atlantic Ocean, walk the paths, climb the rocky hills, fish from a quiet pier, sit on a sandy beach, take photographs of the Irish countryside or cycle the winding roads; a visit to the scenic area of West Cork is a must.
For those interested in Ireland travel deals and tips, you will have no trouble finding something to suit you. One travel deal/tip you may not know about concerns the pub. If you are traveling with kids and don't want to buy soda, you can ask for tap water with flavored fruit syrups. This will save about $3 per small bottle of Coke or Pepsi, and the kids will enjoy it too!
There are many Ireland travel packages available on-line. The types of trips available are really only limited by what you want. Many of the packages include all the things you need to enjoy your trip including air travel, car hire and lodging. These packages can be booked to cover a few days or even weeks.
For more Ireland travel tips, visit my Ireland travel blog at:
ireland-travels.com
facebook.com/IrelandTravels
Follow us @TravelsIreland
Begin your tour of West Cork at Mizen Head, Ireland's most southwesterly point. The dramatic peninsula features Barley Cove beach and is highlighted by the Mizen Head Signal Station Visitor Centre. Be sure to look for seals lazily resting on the rocks below.
The best pub in the entire world is located in the small village of Crookhaven. As you walk into O'Sullivan's Bar, the owner, Dermot O'Sullivan, will greet you with a friendly, Hello boys and girls. What happens if you try to order a Guinness? You don't want to know. Go with the Murphy's; it's local and creamier!
Possibly the most beautiful place in all of West Cork is Three Castle Head. The collection of three towers, built in 1207 by the O'Mahoneys, is a short hike from Dunlough Pier. The castles sit on cliffs, which offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, Mizen Head, Sheep's Head and the mountains of County Kerry. At the base of the castles is a lake. Irish legend holds that a lady haunts the lake while protecting the king's valuables that were thrown in to guard them from attackers.
Between the villages of Goleen and Durrus, you will find the Coast Road. On this road is the well-preserved O'Mahoney Castle known as Dunmanus Castle. The castle was built in 1430 at the current location of Dunmanus Harbor. Views of the beautiful Irish countryside and Dunmanus Bay will have you reaching for your camera.
Further along, near the village of Skibbereen is the area of Lough Hyne. Lough Hyne is a salt-water lake, fed by the tides, and is home to a varied collection of marine life. Above the lake are the walking paths of Knockamagh Wood Nature Reserve.
Up the coast, near the County Kerry border, is the fishing village of Castletownbere. The village is situated on the southern edge of the Beara Peninsula and is near the beginning of the southern portion of the Ring of Beara. Just out of town are the ruins of Dunboy Castle, which was destroyed by the English in 1602 after a 14-day siege.
Leaving the West Cork area, head up to Bantry Bay, through Glengarriff and Kenmare up to the pride of County Kerry, Killarney. The town of Killarney is filled with a nice mix of nature and history. A visit to the Muckross area; including the house, abbey and gardens is very enjoyable. You can easily spend a full day taking in this incredible area. So, what is the best part of it all? You only have to park once as all these sites are within walking distance of each other.
If you are heading back to Dublin, a stop in Cashel is very enjoyable. The Rock of Cashel is world-famous and awe inspiring. A little known abbey in Cashel is Hore Abbey that sits at the bottom of the hill in the shadows of the Rock of Cashel. Hore Abbey will be less crowded and will allow peaceful exploring without crowds.
ireland-travels.com
facebook.com/IrelandTravels
Follow us @TravelsIreland
May you truly enjoy the beautiful travel opportunities in this still largely undiscovered... yet beautiful country.
Music Credits:
Track title: Whiskey in the Jar
License Type: Standard License
Composer: Bjorn Lynne (PRS - CAE: 272363273)
Publisher: Lynne Publishing (PRS - CAE: 541626758)
Track title: In Dublins Fair City (aka Cockles and Mussels, aka Molly Malone)
License Type: Standard License
Composer: Bjorn Lynne (PRS - CAE: 272363273)
Publisher: Lynne Publishing (PRS - CAE: 541626758)
Composer: Bob and Barn (PRS)
Publisher: Lynne Publishing (PRS - CAE: 541626758)
Travel Ireland Ireland travel deals Ireland travel packages and Ireland travel tips lonely planet.
PICTURES OF IRELAND, CORK, BANTRY, SKIBBEREEN, CLONAKILTY
- More Links Below -
CRAG CAVES, KERRY - ADMISSION, OPENING TIMES AND LOCATION
KENMARE- TOOSIST - THE BEARA PENINSULA / KERRY /WEST CORK
WALKING AND TREKKING IN GLENBEIGH CO. KERRY- ROUTES AND DIRECTIONS
CHEAP PUBLIC GOLF COURSES IN DUBLIN - LOCATIONS AND GREEN FEES
Union Hall Fishing Village - West Cork - Hostels and Hotels
SLIABH LUACHRA -Traditional Irish Music
LAOIS / PORTLAOIS - WALKWAYS, TREKKING AND WALKING ROUTES
THE BLARNEY STONE - TALES AND FOLKLORE - DIRECTION AND LOCATION - BLARNEY - CORK
BEST 18 HOLE GOLF COURSES IN KERRY - GREEN FEES AND REVIEWS
KERRY - RIVER, LAKE AND SEA FISHING - BEST SPOTS AND LOCATIONS
CORK CITY - EATING, SHOPPING, CYCLING AND VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
BOAT CHARTERING FOR SEA FISHING IN IRELAND - 3 TOP STOPS
GOLFING IN BALLINASLOE AND ORANMORE - GREEN FEES AND LOCATION
THE ARAN / ARANN ISLANDS - CHEAPEST WAY OF GETTING THERE - BOATS
ACHILL ISLAND - MAYO -CHEAP CAMPING AND THINGS TO DO
5 BEAUTIFUL IRISH ISLANDS - CAPE CLEAR, CLARE ISLAND, VALENTIA AND WHITE SANDS
DUBLIN CITY - ONE DAY - 10 MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS
THOUGHTS ON AN IRISH HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE - SAFETY, SAVINGS AND SILENCE
COUNTY WICKLOW, ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS, OCEAN AND BEACHES
PIKE FISHING - ATHLONE, MACROOM AND CAVAN - LICENSES AND BEST SPOTS
CARP FISHING IN IRELAND - PLACES, LOCATIONS, PERMITS
Places to visit in Ireland Traditional Sailing 2014 Cobh
A day on the World's second natural harbour. Cork harbour with a traditional sailing event. Is one of the Best place to visit in Ireland.
Ireland - Scenic Tour of South and West Coast by Camper Van 2015
Some highlights of Steve and Diane's campervan trip around beautiful South and West Ireland including parts of the Wild Atlantic Way in May 2015. Film by Steve Poole
Music Credits
'Song For Ireland'
(Written by Phil & June Colclough, performed by Mary Black)
'Red is the Rose'
(Trad. performed by Sue Graves & Voiceover)
'Ready for the Storm'
(Written by Dougie MacLean, performed by Kathy Mattea)
Place names (approx) - Ardmore, Glandore, Black Head, Mizen Head, Castletownbere, New Ross (Famine ship), Union Hall, Baltimore, Clear Island, Allihies, Lough Hyne, Dingle, Glengarriff, Three Castle Head, Beara Peninsula, Dursey Island, Garinish, Killarney, Ross Castle and Lakes, Muckross Lake boat tour and Gap of Dunloe, Cahirciveen, Lough Derg (Co. Clare) & Holy Island, Skellig Michael, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin & The Burren