TOWNS

Towns: Clonakilty, Bandon, Bantry, Kinsale, Rosscarbery and Skibbereen.

Clonakilty

Clonakilty has been designated as West Cork's Heritage Town by Board Failte, and a visit to the town soon shows why. You'll feel at home here among the attractive traditional shop fronts and hand painted signs in English and Irish. The Post Office is housed in an old Presbyterian church and the Town Council and Library in a converted Corn Mill with the river flowing beneath. Narrow streets and lanes open into elegant squares. It is a town of tall spires, towers and historic buildings - the brewery buildings, the mills and the quayside warehouses, telling of the town's busy trading and industrial past. Clonakilty is an ideal holiday destination and base from which to tour West Cork, a region blessed with some of Irelands most spectacular scenery.

For more information see www.clonakilty.ie

Bandon (Droichead na Banndan)

Bandon or Bandon Bridge (its original name) has deep historical roots - the town was founded by Richard Boyle, The great Earl of Cork (1613) who acquired vast Munster Estates and planted them with English and Scottish settlers. During the 19th century Bandon grew as a leading industrial centre which included brewing, distilling, corn & cotton milling to mention but a few and continues to-day through the enterprising sprit of its inhabitants to be the business centre of West Cork. Situated only 19miles (40km) from Cork City on N71. It is also an exceptionally beautiful region for angling.

Bandon at Night

For more information see www.bandon.com

Bantry

Famous in song, Bantry Bay is of legendary beauty. Bantry, at the head of the bay, is a busy market town and fishing port. Bantry Bay was twice entered by French fleets: in 1689 to support James II against William of Orange, in 1796 to aidWolfe Tone and an Irish uprising. A storm dispersed the 1796 fleet and few of the ships made the Bay. Bantry House, open to the public, is spectacularly situated and exuberantly furnished. It is one of Ireland's most attractive Great Houses, full of treasures collected by various generations of Earls of Bantry from all parts of the world. In the courtyard of Bantry House, The French Armada Exhibition Center has been developed. This features the ill-fated French Armada invasion of December, 1796.

For more information see www.bantry.com

Kinsale

Kinsale, Ireland's gourmet centre. The West Cork coast, with its many small harbours, is famous for fish and seafood, while the quality of the local meat, vegetables and dairy produce available to Kinsale's chefs is second to none. Our visitors are captivated by the town's setting, its long waterfront, narrow streets, and slate-clad houses. The bulk of Compass Hill rises sharply behind the town, overlooking a natural harbour of great beauty where the Bandon river turns south towards the sea. Kinsale was the site of a battle in 1601 that was a turning point in Irish history. For over 300 years it was a garrison town and port of consequence, leaving a legacy of Georgian and Victorian architecture. The people of Kinsale take the preservation of their environment very seriously, and the town is noted for its successes in competitions such as Tidy Towns and the European Entente Floriale competition.

Desmond Castle International Museum of Wine

For more information see www.kinsale.ie

Rosscarbery

The Ancient Capital of the Carberies. Anciently named Ros O'gCairbre, the town was originally the centre of the great Diocese of Ross, founded by St. Fachtna, the first Bishop of Ross. Ross Parish is particularly rich in Historical and Archaeological remains dating back through all periods of its history. Some things to do include a guided historic tour of Castle Salem. This is a 15th Century Castle, one of the best preserved castles in Ireland. It is 70 feet high with massive walls and loopholes and also has the ususal spiral stone stairway. One can also visit Droumbeg Stone Circle, Coppingers Court and many more historical sites.

For more information see www.rosscarbery.ie

Skibbereen

This thriving town is the 'capital' of West Cork, centre for all the agricultural, industrial and tourist activities of a wide region. Its streets are full of life and character. Its newspaper is 'The Southern Star', successor to 'The Skibbereen Eagle' which acquired fame at the turn of the century with a thundering editorial which finished with the dire warning. 'The Skibbereen Eagle has its eye on the Czar of Russia'. The West Cork Art Centre is the focus of many activities of the artists, craftspeople and writers who have come to live in this area. St. Fachtna's High School Museum has a collection of mostly local folk material. Skibbereen suffered particularly severe hardship during the Famine years, a fact commemorated in many songs. Near Skibbereen the Liss Ard Experience is highly interesting. Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, a prominent personality in the Independence Movement in the 19th century, lived most of his life (when he wasn't in jail) in Skibbereen, and is commemorated in a small attractive park on the outskirts of the town.

For more information see www.skibbereen.ie

 

 

For more information on all of the above towns link to www.cork-guide.ie