Wild Staycations

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WEST CORK

T H E P A R A D I S E A W A I T S Y O U .

We love the countryside in West Cork and the Beara Peninsula offers some of the most remote and breathtaking scenery in Ireland. If you fancy a road trip with lots of places to get outdoors, the “Ring of Beara ” is perfect.

It’ s a rather short drive (4 hours) that passes many idyllic villages such as Eyeries and Allihies. As always, our interests lie within the natural attractions. Mare ’ s Tail Waterfall is thought to be the highest in the country and Healy Pass offers spectacular views. Don 't forget to check out some lesser-known looped trails on the peninsula and a trip to Dursey Island adds a little something different.

OCEAN TIMES

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WEST CORK PARADISE

A L L E H I E S , C O . C O R K . Allihies (Irish: Na hAilichí, meaning 'the cliff fields') is a townland in the civil parish of Kilnamanagh, in County Cork, Ireland. The townland of Allihies is located at the western tip of the Beara Peninsula. The mythical story Children of Lir is well known in Ireland, with several areas claimed as the landing spot of the swans after their 900-year journey on the seas. One version of this oral tradition holds that the children of Lir were buried in Allihies and there is a site associated with this tradition is located near the village.

Bronze Age people already knew that Beara ’ s crystal bedrock held precious copper ore but in 1812 mining began on an industrial scale. Allihies ’ post-industrial landscape shows some of the best evidence of 19th century mining in the world today. The remains of mine-related buildings litter the landscape; disused mines, a gun powder house, dressing floors, and man-made reservoirs. The engine houses that tower over the landscape once housed giant steam engines that pumped water from the mines, drove winding gear, and lowered the miners far below sea level.

The drive from Allehies along the north coast of the Beara Peninsula to Eyeries and Ardgroom following the signposted 'Ring of Beara Drive' offers superb views of the coast and mountains of Iveragh, the peninsula across Kenmare Bay which contains the 'Ring of Kerry' tourist route. Ballydonegan Beach, located just below Allihies village was created by crushed stones from the old Allihies mines.

WEST CORK

T H E P A R A D I S E A W A I T S Y O U .

OCEAN TIMES

W H E R E Y O U R J O U R N E Y B E G I N S

Remember to Leave No Trace and #Take3fortheSea

Ballydonegan Beach, West Cork.

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P L A C E S T O V I S I T T H I S S U M M E R

S U M M E R E S C A P E S

Garnish Island View Point, West Cork.

HAVE A WILD STAYCATION THIS SUMMER

G A R N I S H I S L A N D , C O . C O R K . Bequeathed to the people of Éire in 1953, Garinish Island ("Ilnacullin" in Irish) is a designed historic garden of national and international significance, with a world-renowned plant collection and unique architectural heritage. The property is a destination for tourists from all over the world and is one of the main drivers of the local economy. An estimated 65,000 people visit Garinish Island every year and enjoy its gardens and Bryce House, which was fully restored and opened to the public in 2015. Our favorite place in Garnish is of course the viewpoint south of the Martello Tower which opens up to a panoramic view of Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island. This was where John A. Boyce had originally planned to build his residence, with plans of the Martello tower to be the house music room and evidence of excavations which had began.

From the nearby viewing point can be seen a panorama of Ilnacullin ’ s formal gardens and their setting, including the Walled Garden with its clock tower; the Casita by the Italian Garden; and expansive views of the Caha Mountains and Glengarriff harbour. |