48Hours in West Cork

Admire the golden sands of Inchydoney Beach.

The magic of West Cork is that there’s always something more to see and do along its spectacular coastline. The glorious seascape between Kinsale and Skibbereen is peppered with dramatic forts, lighthouses and arresting views around every bend.

With tales of invasion and shipwreck, this historic part of Ireland holds many stories for visitors to uncover as they wind their way along its stunning coast. You can cover a lot of ground in a couple of days or stay in the one place and explore.

Get your West Cork stay off to a great start in Kinsale.

On a calm day, the harbour in Kinsale reflects colourful shopfronts and historic buildings like a picture-perfect postcard. Kinsale is the first (or last) stop on the Wild Atlantic Way and is an unmissable haven for foodies, with plenty of history and interesting walks to help build up your appetite.

Charles Fort

As you wander along the harbour watch out for the signposted Scilly Walk which takes you along a coastal trail to picturesque Summercove. Stop at the Bulman Restaurant and take in the views with a coffee, before heading up the road to¯Charles Fort, a star-shaped military fortress that was constructed in the 1600s.

Kinsale Harbour Cruise

You also discover spectacular views of Charles Fort aboard ‘The Spirit of Kinsale’,¯as you finish off your evening with a¯harbour cruise.¯Of course, you cannot leave Kinsale without trying one or two (or let’s be honest, three or more) of its famous restaurants. On Market Street,¯Bastion¯is an intimate wine bistro that like most Kinsale restaurants makes the most of superb local seafood to earn itself a Michelin Star.

The Old Head Kinsale & Signal Tower

If you continue on your journey from Kinsale to Clonakilty, make sure to take the road south along the coast to Old Head of Kinsale, a stunning peninsula jutting over three-kilometres into the Atlantic Ocean, with a sense of history to match its spectacular setting.

Clonakilty, shortened to ‘Clon’ by locals, is a vibrant and colourful town and a real must-see on your trip.¯True to another West Cork tradition – great food with a distinctly local flavour - ‘Clon’ also enjoys a special place in Irish history as the birthplace of Michael Collins.

Inchydoney Beach

If you’re visiting Clonakilty on a Friday don’t miss the¯Farmers Market¯where you can assemble a ‘locally-grown’ picnic before heading to the stunning white strand of Inchydoney, just tenminutes away. A true highlight of the region, you could easily spend an afternoon wandering the beach or trying your hand at¯surfing, kayaking or stand up paddleboarding.

Skibbereen, as you’ve probably guessed, is “Skib” to the locals, whose easygoing attitude to life has no time for multi-syllable names. ‘Skib’ is the acknowledged capital of West Cork with colourful streetscapes and a buzz that’s palpable in the air.

Farmers Market

This part of West Cork is all about the food, so you won’t want to miss some of the best local produce at Skib’s famous Saturday¯Farmers Market. Mingle with the locals, sample craft foods and find all you need for a picnic on Tralispean’s sandy beach just ten-minutes out the road.

Lough Hyne‚

Experience stunning Lough Hyne. Lough Hyne, the only salt-water lake in Europe, is¯a ten-minute drive (or a 40-minute cycle) from Skibbereen and a scenic haven of kayaking, snorkelling and generally exploring the wonderful marine life of the region.