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Glengarriff and Garnish Island - 16km
(10miles)
Gougane Barra - 24km (15 miles)
Sheeps Head - 36km (20 miles)
Lough
Bofinne/Castle Donovan - 24km (15 miles)
Kilgarvan/Kenmare 64km (40 miles)
Mizen Head Peninsula 103km (64 miles)
Ring Of Beara 146km (91 miles)
Glengarriff and Garnish Island - 16km
(10miles)
Glengarriff which derived its name
from 'An Gleann
Garbh' - the rugged glen is one of Ireland's most beautifully situated
villages, nestling at the foot of the Caha mountains. The
Forest Park on the N71 Kenmare Road is well worth a visit, as it is one of the few
remaining examples in Ireland of the original Oak and Holly Woodland that once covered the
country. There are a number of nature trails through the forest together with delightful
picnic areas.
A short trip across the harbour brings the visitor to Ilnaculin - the famed Garnish Island with its 37 acres of sub-tropical plants and
Martello Tower.
Gougane Barra - 24km (15 miles)
Leaving Bantry via Kealkil and
driving through the Pass of Keimaneigh lies Gougane Barra where the river Lee has its
sources. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains and the fourth side opens up to the
River Valley. It was here in Gougane Barra that St. Finbarr, Patron Saint of Cork, founded his monastery.
Ireland's first National Park with its nature trails and picnic sites was opened in
Gougane Barra. An ideal place to relax and unwind.
Sheeps Head - 36km (20 miles)
The road down the Sheeps Head Peninsula heads from Durrus
village along the coast to the wooded inlet of Ahakista. Here you will see the Air India
Memorial which commemorates the loss of an Air India Aircraft and the passengers and crew
who were killed when the aircraft crashed off the Cork coast in 1985.
Continue on to Kilcrohane. Beyond the village the road
climbs adventurously to the top of Sheeps Head, on the ridge of which is an old signal
tower. A return is made via Kilcrohane and the north side of the peninsula by way of the
mountain road called the Goat's Path where the wide expanse of Bantry
Bay, Bere Island, Hungry Hill and Sugarloaf Mountain can be viewed.
Lough
Bofinne/Castle Donovan - 24km (15
miles)
Driving out of Bantry by one of the roads to the east one
encounters one of the famous trout fishing lakes of Ireland. Four miles further on, the
ruins of O'Donovan Castle is encountered as well as the famous mound of rocks signifying
the tribal seat. By taking the road to the north past the Castle one enters the Mealagh
Valley noted for its concentration of megalithic monuments.
Kilgarvan/Kenmare 64km (40 miles)
Journeying through Coomhola (Rushing Water) and the
breathtaking Borlin Valley to the source of the cascading river one can enjoy the
splendour of the hidden valleys of the Southwest. From the Pass to the North one
encounters the tunnel, remains of monastic settlement, battle site of Callan (1200's) and
the vintage car museum before arriving at Kilorglin. Passing through Kenmare and returning
to Glengarriff one has to negotiate the famous winding tunnel
road with panoramic views of Glengarriff Woods and the upper
Bay Region.
Mizen Head Peninsula 103km (64 miles)
Mizen Head, with almost vertical
cliffs and a lighthouse station on an islet linked to the mainland by a suspension bridge,
is the extreme south western tip of Ireland. Here in the Mizen Vision one can see on
display the fascinating story of the building of the Fastnet lighthouse plus the Keepers
kitchen and bedroom which have been retained to recall the lifestyle of the men of the
Irish Lights. Close to the Mizen are the beautiful sandy beaches of Barley Cove.
Nearby is Crookhaven, which has a harbour much favoured
by yachtsmen. On the return journey, you pass through the delightful village of Schull which nestles at the foot of Mount. Gabriel which rises to
just over 407 meters and has an aircraft tracking station on its summit.
Finally, on to the brightly painted village of
Ballydehob on the homeward journey to Bantry.
Ring Of Beara 146km (91 miles)
The circuit of the Beara Peninsula is a wild and beautiful
area, with high rugged mountains contrasting with the highly indented coastline.
Castletownbere, the principal town, boasts the second largest natural harbour in the world
and is the major fishing port of Ireland. Outside the town are the ruins of O'Sullivans
Dunboy Castle and the remains of Puxley's Hall.
Well worth a visit is Dursey Island, whereby access to
the mainland is by cable car, the only one of its kind in the country. En route you pass
through Allihies which was once the site of extensive copper
mines and then on to the colourful village of Eyeries where the file 'The Purple Taxi' was
shot in 1975.
A shorter trip through the scenic Healy Pass, Lauragh
and the coast road of Kilmakilloge is well worth a visit.
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