Things To Do

Information is available for the following activities:

  • Boat & sea trips
  • Diving
  • Whale watching
  • Kayaking
  • Harbour Trip in Kinsale
  • The Ferry to Roaring Water Bay from Baltimore or Schull to Cape Clear
  • Seal-watching on the Ferry Trip to Garinish Island Gardens from Glengarrif 

Or click on one of the catergories for lots of things to do in the local area, and the rest of the county.

Outdoor Activities

GOLF
Nearby Lisselan Estate offers a lovely 9 hole 18 tees course five minutes’ drive away.
Classed as one of the best by Professional Golfers.
Dunmore at Inchydoney is a course on the water near Clonakilty.
World Championship Old Head of Kinsale at Kinsale ~ right on the cliff top.
Kinsale Golf Course.
Fota Island – First Class Course in Cork Harbour .
Bandon Golf Club – Good course.
Skibbereen Golf Course.
Schull – 9 holes overlooking the water.

FISHING
There are several good salmon rivers locally - The Argideen and Lisselan Estate (5 minutes drive) has Salmon Fishing.
The Bandon (15 minutes drive)
and the Blackwater (90 minutes drive).
There is sea fishing from Courtmacsherry (15 minutes’ drive).

HORSE-RIDING
Courtmacsherry Hotel Riding Stables in nearby Courtmacsherry have horses suitable for all grades of riders.
They hack out onto several beaches and farms in the area.

GARDENS & HOUSES
A complete guide to Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland is available.
Nearby ones include: The West Cork Garden Trail has gardens open in June and July that are not open all the year round.
Lisselan Gardens ~ on the way into Clonakilty.
Castle Gardens ~ Timoleague.
Fota Island Wildlife Park , House and Garden ~ Cork Harbour .
Glebe House Garden and Café ~ Baltimore .
Bantry House and Garden, and Armada Museum ~ Bantry.
Garinish Island ~ wonderful garden in Bantry Bay .
Bamboo Park ~ tropical plants in Glengariff.
Muckross Park House and Gardens ~ Killarney.

BEACHES & COVES
Within a short drive of here are many sandy beaches and coves, running from Kinsale to Castlefreke.
Inchydoney is a good safe beach, Ownahincha, Red Strand, Coolmain Bay
and many others.
They are all tidal sandy beaches.
Further west towards the Mizzen is Barley Cove Beach.

WALKING TOURS & CYCLING TRIPS
Information is available about recommended routes to use.

Health & Beauty

5 STAR INCHYDONEY LODGE & SPA HOTEL
The Lodge and Spar at Inchydoney Beach is some fifteen minutes drive from here.  Inchydoney Beach is actually two glorious sandy beaches divided by the 5 Star Hotel.  The hotel has an excellent restaurant, a bar with good bar food, and a Residents Lounge which is a perfect place for a quiet lunch, or a hot chocolate with marshmallows after a walk on the beach.  The Spa offers a range of Thalassotherapy, Massage and Beauty Treatments.  Anyone booking a treatment may use the swimming pool which has various areas including swimming areas, several Jacuzzis, neck massage areas, and a waterfall.

THE NATURAL HEALING ROOMS
Located in Clonakilty, they offer a range of beauty treatments, massage, Acupuncture, TCM, Homeopathy, Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy

Entertainment, Bars & Restaurants

LIVE MUSIC VENUES
De Barras Bar & Folk Club - Clonakilty.
The home of traditional music in West Cork, with live music and entertainment 7 days a week May-Sept, and 6 days a week the rest of the year.
Shanley's - Clonakilty.
Small, warm and welcoming, Shanley's regularly hosts live music sessions with a host of excellent local musicians.
Scannell's - Clonakilty.
Scannells offers and excellent lunch menu, but it really comes into it's own at night when the bar and beer garden are buzzing with conversation and laughter.
An Teach Beag - Clonakilty.
A cozy bar with traditional music, story telling and set dancing.
The Spaniard - Kinsale.
Good food and traditional music every Wednesday and music nightly from July to mid-September.

PLACES TO EAT
Kirbys Whales Tail - Clonakilty.
An award winning seafood bar & restaurant.
Monks Lane - Timoleague.
Fresh, local, artisan produce, craft beers, gourmet coffees/teas and fantastic old world wines, in a warm and welcoming setting.
Lifeboat Inn - Courtmacsherry
Delicious Steak & Seafood in a traditional Irish pub setting.
Dunmore House Hotel - Dunmore.
Award-winning food in the hotel restaurant and great casual dining in the bar, with stunning sea views.
Fishy Fishy - Kinsale
Excellent and very popular seafood restaurant.
The Pink Elephant - Kilbrittain
Specializing in seafood, steaks and vegetarian cuisine - the views out to sea on a sunny evening can't be bettered!