Sightseeing
Michael Collins Monument
L2011A unique part of Irish history only 10 minutes drive away.
1. Warrenscourt Woods, Kilmurry is ideal for an evening stroll with the family / family pets.
2. Irish Independence Museum, opening hours 14:00 - 17:00 Thursday to Sunday.
Kilmurry
1. Warrenscourt Woods, Kilmurry is ideal for an evening stroll with the family / family pets.
2. Irish Independence Museum, opening hours 14:00 - 17:00 Thursday to Sunday.
Michael Collins House
7 Emmet SquareOpening hours 10:00 - 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.
One of West Corks best kept secrets, Lough Hyne is Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve and unique sea-water lake.
Activities:
1. Lough Hyne Loop Walk is a 7km trail with amazing views that takes 1.5 hours.
2. Famous for its after-dark kayaking experience which is made all the more interesting by the luminous phosphorescence in the lake.
66 locals recommend
Lough Hyne
One of West Corks best kept secrets, Lough Hyne is Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve and unique sea-water lake.
Activities:
1. Lough Hyne Loop Walk is a 7km trail with amazing views that takes 1.5 hours.
2. Famous for its after-dark kayaking experience which is made all the more interesting by the luminous phosphorescence in the lake.
Baltimore is a sea side village in West Cork and is the main ferry port to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear Island.
Activities:
1. Baltimore Beacon
2. Whale Watching with Baltimore Sea Safari
3. Ferry to Sherkin Island
4. Visit Fastnet Lighthouse and Cape Clear Island
Recommend visiting Lough Hyne and Baltimore all in one day.
39 locals recommend
Baltimore
Baltimore is a sea side village in West Cork and is the main ferry port to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear Island.
Activities:
1. Baltimore Beacon
2. Whale Watching with Baltimore Sea Safari
3. Ferry to Sherkin Island
4. Visit Fastnet Lighthouse and Cape Clear Island
Recommend visiting Lough Hyne and Baltimore all in one day.
Mizen Head is one of the Signature Discovery Points on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, making it a must-see sight along this spectacular driving route. It is Ireland's most south-westerly points and worth every second of the 90 minute drive.
Open daily from 10:00 - 18:00 and spectacular on a clear day.
68 locals recommend
Mizen Head
Mizen Head is one of the Signature Discovery Points on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, making it a must-see sight along this spectacular driving route. It is Ireland's most south-westerly points and worth every second of the 90 minute drive.
Open daily from 10:00 - 18:00 and spectacular on a clear day.
An Gaorthadh is a submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve 23 minutes drive from the Country Retreat.
14 locals recommend
The Gearagh
An Gaorthadh is a submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve 23 minutes drive from the Country Retreat.
The area of Gougane Barra can be visited at any time of the year but it is especially beautiful in the Summer months.
The popular wedding destination famous for being picturesque is a 45 minute drive from the Country Retreat.
45 locals recommend
Gougane Barra
The area of Gougane Barra can be visited at any time of the year but it is especially beautiful in the Summer months.
The popular wedding destination famous for being picturesque is a 45 minute drive from the Country Retreat.
The largest ambush of the War of Independence carried out by the Irish Republican Army on 28th November 1920.
Thirty-six local IRA volunteers commanded by Tom Barry killed seventeen members of the Royal Irish Constabulary's Auxiliary Division.
Located 13 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Kilmachael Ambush Site
The largest ambush of the War of Independence carried out by the Irish Republican Army on 28th November 1920.
Thirty-six local IRA volunteers commanded by Tom Barry killed seventeen members of the Royal Irish Constabulary's Auxiliary Division.
Located 13 minutes from the Country Retreat.
The Battle of Crossbarry occured on 19th Match 1921 and was one of the largest engagements of the Irish War of Independence.
Located 26 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Crossbarry Ambush Memorial(Cuimhneachán Luíochán Crois an Bharraigh)
The Battle of Crossbarry occured on 19th Match 1921 and was one of the largest engagements of the Irish War of Independence.
Located 26 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Beach
One of West Corks most popular destinations, why not pack the body boards and head to the beach.
44 locals recommend
Inchydoney Beach
One of West Corks most popular destinations, why not pack the body boards and head to the beach.
Warren Beach is a small, rural sandy beach located at the mouth of Rosscarbery River in County Cork. A great place to visit if you are heading to Smugglers Cove.
14 locals recommend
Warren Beach
Warren Beach is a small, rural sandy beach located at the mouth of Rosscarbery River in County Cork. A great place to visit if you are heading to Smugglers Cove.
Barleycove is located on the remote Mizen Peninsula. It’s also perfectly in-between Mizen Head and Brow Head – the two southernmost points of mainland Ireland. The area around here is stunning and demands plenty of exploring.
Recommend visiting Barleycove on the way back from Mizen Head.
41 locals recommend
Barleycove
Barleycove is located on the remote Mizen Peninsula. It’s also perfectly in-between Mizen Head and Brow Head – the two southernmost points of mainland Ireland. The area around here is stunning and demands plenty of exploring.
Recommend visiting Barleycove on the way back from Mizen Head.
Garretstown Beach is an extensive sandy beach located along the coast of County Cork. It enjoys stunning views of The Old Head of Kinsale and is a great spot for walking, bathing and swimming.
Recommend a visit if heading to Kinsale for a day.
29 locals recommend
Garretstown Beach
Garretstown Beach is an extensive sandy beach located along the coast of County Cork. It enjoys stunning views of The Old Head of Kinsale and is a great spot for walking, bathing and swimming.
Recommend a visit if heading to Kinsale for a day.
Activities
A visit to the West Cork Model Railway Village is a treat for all ages. Ireland’s only Model Village in Clonakilty is a fully scaled handmade model of the historic West Cork Railway Line with fully working miniature trains and the towns that the railway served during the 1940s.
Opening hours:
Daily from 10:00 - 17:00, pre-booking required.
45 locals recommend
West Cork Model Railway Village
Inchydoney RoadA visit to the West Cork Model Railway Village is a treat for all ages. Ireland’s only Model Village in Clonakilty is a fully scaled handmade model of the historic West Cork Railway Line with fully working miniature trains and the towns that the railway served during the 1940s.
Opening hours:
Daily from 10:00 - 17:00, pre-booking required.
Smugglers Cove offers fun for all the family with their Summer Tubing Park, Crazy Golf, Corn Maze, Timber Maze, and a Golf Range.
Opening hours:
Daily from 9:00 - 19:00
25 locals recommend
Smugglers Cove
Smugglers Cove offers fun for all the family with their Summer Tubing Park, Crazy Golf, Corn Maze, Timber Maze, and a Golf Range.
Opening hours:
Daily from 9:00 - 19:00
Tucked away between the villages of Kilbrittain and Timoleague lies the West Cork Secret, one of Corks leading activity centres. Combining the serenity of the beautifully landscaped gardens with the excitement and adventure of the activity park, the West Cork Secret certainly has loads to offer.
Contact Finbarr +353 87 833 1206 for booking and more details.
WestCorkSecret
Tucked away between the villages of Kilbrittain and Timoleague lies the West Cork Secret, one of Corks leading activity centres. Combining the serenity of the beautifully landscaped gardens with the excitement and adventure of the activity park, the West Cork Secret certainly has loads to offer.
Contact Finbarr +353 87 833 1206 for booking and more details.
Beautiful 3 acre garden in West Cork with fun for all the family across over 10 unique Garden Designs. The kids will have great fun visiting the Fairy Fort built right through the birch mound or searching for the fairy houses in the Fairies woods.
Opening hours:
10:00 - 17:00 Monday, Wednesday to Sunday in August
10:00 - 17:00 Monday, Thursday to Sunday in September / October.
Glenview Gardens & Fairy Trail
Glenview GardensBeautiful 3 acre garden in West Cork with fun for all the family across over 10 unique Garden Designs. The kids will have great fun visiting the Fairy Fort built right through the birch mound or searching for the fairy houses in the Fairies woods.
Opening hours:
10:00 - 17:00 Monday, Wednesday to Sunday in August
10:00 - 17:00 Monday, Thursday to Sunday in September / October.
Food scene
Clonakilty Blackpudding make Ireland's favourite black pudding, using a secret recipe that dates back to the late 1800's and remains the same to this day.
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday 9:00 - 17:00
Friday 9:00 - 16:00
Saturday to Sunday 9:30 - 16:30
7 locals recommend
Clonakilty Blackpudding
Clonakilty Blackpudding make Ireland's favourite black pudding, using a secret recipe that dates back to the late 1800's and remains the same to this day.
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday 9:00 - 17:00
Friday 9:00 - 16:00
Saturday to Sunday 9:30 - 16:30
Voted best gourmet burger specialist in Munster for 2021, this place is a must visit just 21 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday 13:00 - 21:00
Friday and Saturday 13:00 - 22:00
O'Reilly's Food Truck
Clonakilty RoadVoted best gourmet burger specialist in Munster for 2021, this place is a must visit just 21 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday 13:00 - 21:00
Friday and Saturday 13:00 - 22:00
Outdoor dining / Take away service 11 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Opening hours:
Sunday to Saturday 12:00 - 21:00
Mai Fitzs Bar
Outdoor dining / Take away service 11 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Opening hours:
Sunday to Saturday 12:00 - 21:00
A little pub known to have one of the best steaks in Ireland 15 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Opening hours:
Sunday to Saturday 10:00 - 22:00
The Thady Inn
A little pub known to have one of the best steaks in Ireland 15 minutes from the Country Retreat.
Opening hours:
Sunday to Saturday 10:00 - 22:00