Page 43 - Guerin Media | Cork Airport Holiday & Destination Guide 2015
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and intersecting each other again and again to and October and is divided into eight stages—each
find yourself joyously lost! Once, before the Potato representing a half-day’s walking.
Famine, this was one of the most densely
populated areas in Ireland. In 1841, almost Bantry- Beanntraí “(Place of) Beanns People”
20,000 people lived here - enjoying the relatively
fertile land, mild climate and lack of steep Located at the head of Bantry Bay, a
mountains. Here almost every area was habitable deep-water gulf extending for 30 km (19 mi) to
and every scrap of land that could grow potatoes the west, Bantry has a rich local history. Here
was used. By 2002 the population of this area was you will discover a well appointed town with a
just 3,000. What we now see as unspoilt wonderfully laid back atmosphere caressed by the
countryside holds the memories of many lost lives. Atlantic’s salty air. Bantry House, which looks over
It is no wonder you may feel spiritual or eerie the town has a lively programme of festivals and
feelings here as locals claim there are ghosts events- including the world renowned “Masters
everywhere! of Tradition” festival. The annual literary festival
brings an international array of talent to the town
Located five miles from Goleen, The Mizen Head for an engaging week of readings, workshops and
Signal Station, is open to the public. Set in a spec- inspiration. Bantry claims an ancient connection
tacular location on high cliffs, this offers an au- to the sixth-century Saint Breandán (Naomh
thentic all-weather experience. To reach this you Bréanainn) the Navigator-the first person to
pass 99 steps and over an arched bridge. A bastion discover America, according to Irish lore. A
at the most Southerly Tip of Ireland, this station colourful weekly market continues an age old
was built to save lives off the treacherous rocks of tradition in the town’s impressive central square.
the Atlantic. Despite it being the least
mountainous peninsula, Mizen is a place that Glengarrif - An Gleann Garbh “The Rugged
reveals the ancient story of Ireland’s sandstone
most clearly. Vast purple grey quantities sit twisted Glen”
and lifted at impossible angles, its original flat Glengarriff is a gateway to the Beara Peninsula,
sediment surfaces are warped and contoured by famed for its’ striking natural beauty and deep
aeons of time and powers we can barely tranquility. This has been a popular holiday
comprehend. South, the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, destination since the 1700’s. Glengarriff is also
Ireland’s Teardrop, was the last landfall seen by known to be one of the few areas in the
many emigrants to America and was also one of British Isles which still retains much of the ancient
Marconi’s first telegraph stations. woodlands which once covered Ireland and Britain.
Here you can visit “Irelands Eden”
Sheeps Head Peninsula- (also known as www.theewe.com- Ireland’s only interactive
sculpture garden or explore Glengarrif’s Bamboo
Muntervary) Rinn Mhuintir Bháire Park.
The Sheeps Head Peninsula extends into the
Atlantic close to the Gulf Stream and so offers the Garnish Island - Isle na Cuillin
mildest climate in all of Ireland. There are three
villages on the peninsula; Durrus (home of Durrus “Island of Holly”
cheese - six miles from Bantry), Ahakista (twelve Located in the sheltered Glengarrif harbour
miles from Bantry), and Kilcrohane (sixteen miles Garnish Island is a world renowned Island
from Bantry). A route rich in archaeological sites, garden of memorable beauty. Here you will find
this forms an 88 km long-distance trail which rare tropical plants thriving thanks to the influence
follows old tracks and roads around the of the warming currents of the Gulf Stream.
peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back Notable guests who have stayed on this Island
making it very popular with Walkers. Why not stop include writers George Bernard Shaw, who stayed
for a chat and some delicious home-made food on the island in 1923 while writing his play, Saint
at the Sheeps Head Cafe or the charming craft Joan, and the poet, artist and mystic, (George
outlets on your journey around the peninsula. The Russell). Garnish Island is open to the public from
trail can be walked during any time between April April until October.
43
find yourself joyously lost! Once, before the Potato representing a half-day’s walking.
Famine, this was one of the most densely
populated areas in Ireland. In 1841, almost Bantry- Beanntraí “(Place of) Beanns People”
20,000 people lived here - enjoying the relatively
fertile land, mild climate and lack of steep Located at the head of Bantry Bay, a
mountains. Here almost every area was habitable deep-water gulf extending for 30 km (19 mi) to
and every scrap of land that could grow potatoes the west, Bantry has a rich local history. Here
was used. By 2002 the population of this area was you will discover a well appointed town with a
just 3,000. What we now see as unspoilt wonderfully laid back atmosphere caressed by the
countryside holds the memories of many lost lives. Atlantic’s salty air. Bantry House, which looks over
It is no wonder you may feel spiritual or eerie the town has a lively programme of festivals and
feelings here as locals claim there are ghosts events- including the world renowned “Masters
everywhere! of Tradition” festival. The annual literary festival
brings an international array of talent to the town
Located five miles from Goleen, The Mizen Head for an engaging week of readings, workshops and
Signal Station, is open to the public. Set in a spec- inspiration. Bantry claims an ancient connection
tacular location on high cliffs, this offers an au- to the sixth-century Saint Breandán (Naomh
thentic all-weather experience. To reach this you Bréanainn) the Navigator-the first person to
pass 99 steps and over an arched bridge. A bastion discover America, according to Irish lore. A
at the most Southerly Tip of Ireland, this station colourful weekly market continues an age old
was built to save lives off the treacherous rocks of tradition in the town’s impressive central square.
the Atlantic. Despite it being the least
mountainous peninsula, Mizen is a place that Glengarrif - An Gleann Garbh “The Rugged
reveals the ancient story of Ireland’s sandstone
most clearly. Vast purple grey quantities sit twisted Glen”
and lifted at impossible angles, its original flat Glengarriff is a gateway to the Beara Peninsula,
sediment surfaces are warped and contoured by famed for its’ striking natural beauty and deep
aeons of time and powers we can barely tranquility. This has been a popular holiday
comprehend. South, the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, destination since the 1700’s. Glengarriff is also
Ireland’s Teardrop, was the last landfall seen by known to be one of the few areas in the
many emigrants to America and was also one of British Isles which still retains much of the ancient
Marconi’s first telegraph stations. woodlands which once covered Ireland and Britain.
Here you can visit “Irelands Eden”
Sheeps Head Peninsula- (also known as www.theewe.com- Ireland’s only interactive
sculpture garden or explore Glengarrif’s Bamboo
Muntervary) Rinn Mhuintir Bháire Park.
The Sheeps Head Peninsula extends into the
Atlantic close to the Gulf Stream and so offers the Garnish Island - Isle na Cuillin
mildest climate in all of Ireland. There are three
villages on the peninsula; Durrus (home of Durrus “Island of Holly”
cheese - six miles from Bantry), Ahakista (twelve Located in the sheltered Glengarrif harbour
miles from Bantry), and Kilcrohane (sixteen miles Garnish Island is a world renowned Island
from Bantry). A route rich in archaeological sites, garden of memorable beauty. Here you will find
this forms an 88 km long-distance trail which rare tropical plants thriving thanks to the influence
follows old tracks and roads around the of the warming currents of the Gulf Stream.
peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back Notable guests who have stayed on this Island
making it very popular with Walkers. Why not stop include writers George Bernard Shaw, who stayed
for a chat and some delicious home-made food on the island in 1923 while writing his play, Saint
at the Sheeps Head Cafe or the charming craft Joan, and the poet, artist and mystic, (George
outlets on your journey around the peninsula. The Russell). Garnish Island is open to the public from
trail can be walked during any time between April April until October.
43
