Ideal for all levels of walkers.  Detailed itineraries of numerous walks locally, in Courtmacsherry, Kinsale and general Seven Heads area on file at the Cottage.

There is nothing more relaxing that a nice quiet walk along the beach. Many of Irelands finest beaches are within reach of our lovely cottage.

Courtmacsherry village is one of the true gems of West Cork. It has a wealth of natural beauty and activities such as sailing, kayaking, horse riding, boat hire, angling, beautiful walks, beaches and coves, shore fishing, local bars and restaurants and offers a warm welcome to all. Meet the fishing boats docking and haggle for some fresh catch. During their annual summer festival watch horse and pony racing on the beach..literally racing against the tide!

Kinsale, the St Tropez and gourmet capital of Ireland has gained an enviable reputation for hosting some of the most enjoyable festivals in Ireland.  The season kicks off with the National Chowder Awards  in April/ May right through to the Jazz Festival on the October Weekend, Kinsale’s calendar is packed with fun festivals and events. Visit kinsale.ie for details upcoming festivals and events in Kinsale. Charlesfort is a must to see.

Visit the famous Fin Whale in Kilbrittain Village Park.

One of the reasons we love our cottage so much is because it is so close to many amazing scenes of Real Ireland.

It is possible to rent a boat by the hour, half day or full day. Ideal for pottering around the harbour or a spot of fishing. All equipment provided. Relatively easy to operate and training provided.

www.courtmacsherryangling.ie  / www.kinsaleboathire.ie

Surfing school and hire at Garretstown Strand 4.5km  away. 

Surf School – Welcome to GTown Surf

Surf schools also at Inchadonny and Ownnahincha near Clonakilty.

Boat hire and deep sea angling at Courtmacsherry and Kinsale.

Kite surfing and wind surfing at the beach beside The Cottage.  Instructors and hire of equipment available.

Kite flying, the beach is ideal for kids and “for the kid in us“ to learn to fly a kite!

Sailing school in Courtmacsherry with all levels catered for. They also provide power boat training.  Sailing School and Power boat Training Centre West Cork …

Coasteering and kayaking at the Old Head and Kinsale.  Coasteering « Kinsale Surf School. H2O Sea Kayaking

Check out www.westcorkmarkets.com for up-to-date information.

Clonakilty on Friday’s – 10 am to 2 pm.

Kinsale on Wednesday’s – 10 am to 1 pm

Bandon Farmer’s Market – Saturday’s

The English Market, Cork.  Open everyday. Today this famous city-centre covered market is a thriving hub of artisan bakers, butchers, fishmongers, and greengrocers. Organic fruit and vegetables, top-quality meat and fresh fish, imported coffees and teas, locally made charcuterie, farmhouse cheeses, wine merchants.

Michael Collins Centre at Castleview, Clonakilty.

It was in the village of Woodfield, 9 km (6 miles) west of Timoleague, that Michael Collins (1890–1922) made his last stop before he was fatally injured in an ambush at nearby Beal na Blath.

The enthusiastic guide at this cottage-museum, signposted off the R600 east of Clonakilty, offers a lively introduction to the controversial hero of Irish Independence, using slides, large photos and film clips. Outside is a reconstruction of the ambush site, complete with a replica of Collins’ armoured Rolls-Royce and Crossley tender.

The salt marshes and mudflats associated with the Kilbrittain and Argideen rivers are rich feeding grounds for birds, with safe roosts for a large range of waders and wildfowl. During the winter months, 20,000 birds use the estuary, in addition to a large number of gull species.

The area holds nationally important levels of nine species, namely, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Red Shank and Grey Plover. The surrounding countryside is ideal habitat for Sea, Farmland, Woodland, Freshwater, Marsh and Open Country birds, and is close to many other notable areas for birdwatchers.

The Cottage is an ideal base for exploring Cork and West Cork. Some suggested trips include the following:

Timoleague, Courtmacsherry and Clonakilty:

Explore the ruins of Timoleague Abbey, (built in the 14th century) and substantial remains of this Franciscan Abbey are still standing. A beautiful walkway along the waters edge brings you to the charming little sea-front-village of Courtmacsherry which boasts the oldest lifeboat station in Ireland.  Visit the Golden Pheasant cafe and view their collection of wild owls and pheasants in a naturalistic setting. Walk through the woods at Courtmacsherry Hotel right to Courtmacsherry point where you can see the point where the Lusitania went down in 1915.  Enjoy a breathtaking view of all the heads and bays as you look out on to the Atlantic ocean. Drive towards Clonakilty and visit the Michael Collins Museum. A visit to the Clonakilty Model railway is a must for younger visitors and there is also a very good playground here.

Kinsale:

Kinsale has so many things to do on and off the water. From historical walking tours, ghost tours, castles, forts, galleries and bijou shops, you’ll never be bored in Kinsale! With three marinas, a yacht club, two outdoor activity centres, boat and yacht hire, harbour cruises and many historical buildings. Perhaps the best-known historical attraction is Charles Fort, Charles Fort is one of the finest surviving examples of a 17th Century star-shaped fort, and much of the construction begun in 1678 remains.

Cork City, Fota Wildlife Park, Cobh  and Blarney Castle:

A visit to the City is a welcome contrast with the tranquillity of the countryside. The centre of Cork City is very compact. It is ideal for walking around and features excellent shopping and restaurants. Browsing the stalls in the world famous English Market, home to all sorts of excellent food and delicacies from all over the world is a must. Visit Blarney Castle Estate and kiss the famous Blarney stone. Fota Wildlife Park set on 70 acres of open countryside with many of its species wandering freely around the park’s natural and attractive environment is a must along with the renovated gardens of Fota House. Cobh is a true gem often overlooked but well worth a visit.

Skibbereen, Baltimore and Sherkin Island:

Skibbereen is  Ireland’s most southerly town. It is vibrant, colourful and friendly where you can sample the very best of West Cork’s best artisan food and craft. Visit the West Cork Art Centre and the Skibbereen Heritage Centre incorporating the Lough Hyne and Famine Exhibition. Lough Hyne is Europe’s largest sea-water lake and boasts an amazing array of unusual marine life. Despite numerous studies, scientists have still to unearth the mystery surrounding the fact that the lough is always some 3 degrees C warmer than the sea and contains marine life usually only found in the Mediterranean. Drive 15 minutes to Baltimore and enjoy a walk up to the Beacon or a ferry ride to Sherkin Island.

Don’t miss the castle home of the Townshend family, surprisingly at Castletownshend, the village which provided inspiration for writers Somerville and Ross.

Castlefreke, Rosscarbery and Glandore:

Enjoy a walk through Castlefreke woods down to Long Strand, past the Celtic Cross memorial, the largest of its type in Ireland.  Castlefreke Castle is privately owned , you take in a bit of history at the Drombeg Stone Circle on your way.  Glandore and Union Hall sit opposite each other across the estuary and both are equally quaint with great pubs and restaurants.

Bantry and Glengarriff:

Walk around the gardens of historic Bantry House with breathtaking views over Europe’s biggest natural harbour and enjoy a visit to the Armada Centre on the grounds of Bantry House.  Take the ferry from Glengarriff to Garinish Island and enjoy the magical setting of Ilnacullen Gardens with rare specimens of trees and shrubs after admiring the seals on the way.

Schull and Mizen Head:

The safe and sheltered Schull Harbour is home to many waterborne activities.  Ferry trips to Cape Clear and Sherkin leave the pier daily throughout the summer. While you are there do visit the planetarium on the Colla Road. Travelling west from Schull you drive along the bog road built originally in the eighteenth century to carry butter to Cork for export to the new colonies. This tour brings you through the picturesque villages of Goleen and Crookhaven before you arrive at Mizen Head where you can enjoy the breathtaking views and a tour of Mizen Head Lighthouse Visitor Centre.