Page 7 of Touring Ireland by Car by Car Rental Council of Ireland

this tour starts from cork city in south west ireland and follows the southern coastline to where west cork reaches out into the atlantic at least two overnight stops are recommended so you can fully appreciate the variety to be found along this scenic route from cork city take the road to cork airport n27 and continue to the charming fishing harbour of kinsale r600 famous for its 17th century battle between english irish and spanish armies the old fortifications of charles fort and james fort guard the narrow entrance to kinsale from the sea and are full of interest desmond castle dates back to the 16th century and is also known as the french prison originally it was used as a custom house for wines wool and tobacco it now houses a wine museum as part of the interpretation of its history leave kinsale r600 and drive on to timoleague with its ruined franciscan abbey and the beautiful courtmacsherry harbour typical of the colourful fishing villages that bead the southern coast it is possible to do the seven heads walk here which is a developed walk beginning in the timoleague courtmacsherry butlerstown area of west cork it has a variety of scenery and terrain a shorter walk links the lovely villages of timoleague and courtmacsherry then drive on to the important town of clonakilty a vital agricultural centre and boasting many tempting beaches such as owenahincha and inchydoney the west cork model railway village is well worth a visit beside picturesque clonakilty bay the model village depicts in miniature life and industry in west cork as they were 50 years ago from here on the road meets many charming villages including rosscarbery glandore unionhall and castletownshend set in picturesque cork city surroundings the cathedral in rosscarbery dedicated to st fachtna is well worth visiting coppinger s court located on the rosscarberyglandore coastal route r597 was built in the 17th century by walter coppinger the pointed gables and octagonal shafts still survive drombeg stone circle also on this road is a circle of 17 standing stones which on excavation showed that there had been an urn burial in the centre it has been dated to between 153bc and 127ad the next big town is skibbereen again with many local strands as well as the beautiful salt-water lake of lough hyne it is worth visiting the skibbereen heritage centre in the beautifully restored old gasworks building on the banks of the river ilen st patrick s cathedral overlooking the town is built in the grecian style and dates from 1826 abbeystrewery abbey is located 1.5 km west of skibbereen n71w on the northern side of the river ilen this is the remains of a 14th century cistercian abbey st barrahane s church of ireland church castletownshend has beautiful stained glass work located just over 1km north-west of castletownshend r596 is an interesting restored ringfort called knockdrum fort the fishing village of baltimore r595 provides the gateway to island trips including cape clear island sherkin island and heir island then drive to ballydehob n71 with its graceful twelve arch railway bridge the bridge is no longer used but provides panoramic views of roaringwater bay from the walkway continuing through ballydehob you will reach skull bobbing sails and drying nets have all the tang of the sea attached to the local community college is skull planetarium the only one in the south of ireland and is open to visitors on a regular basis from here the mood changes as you will reach the peninsula where the atlantic rages goleen and barleycove r592 are charming spots and the sheltered crookhaven is well worth a stop at mizen head the extreme southwest point of ireland you can stand on cliffs and see the ceaseless pounding of the atlantic take time to visit the mizen head signal station visitor centre providing a fascinating insight into the lighthouse service and the sea lore of this part of west cork a final high point to this tour can be had by a circular return to skull skirting mount gabriel and taking in the serene majesty of dunmanus bay r591 from killarney drive to killorglin n72 killorglin is known worldwide for its annual horse and cattle fair puck fair the fair s pagan origins date back to the celtic festival of lughnasa which included three days of feasting and ritual sacrifices to celebrate the beginning of harvest from killorglin continue southwest n70 and visit the kerry bog village museum beside the red fox inn the museum recreates the famine cottages and other buildings found in 19th century rural ireland continue southwest n70 to the picturesque village of glenbeigh there is a superb blue flag beach which is located just beyond the village at rossbeigh the sandy beach which stretches for over 6 km offers spectacular views across the bay to the dingle peninsula from glenbeigh drive towards cahersiveen the cliff section of the road between glenbeigh and cahersiveen offers spectacular views of the blasket islands and the dingle peninsula kells is a popular rest stop half way between glenbeigh and cahersiveen continue to cahersiveen on the approach to the town is the ruin of carhan house where daniel o connell the liberator was born in 1775 he became one of ireland s most famous politicians and was responsible for achieving catholic emancipation in 1829 cahersiveen is an ideal base for exploring the ancient and early christian heritage of the area the barracks heritage centre is well worth a visit continue along the n70 to the village of waterville the village waterfront is lined with palm trees fuchsia hotels and cafes and has an air of the continent about it from waterville continue southeast towards the village of caherdaniel an alignment of four stones can be seen on the skyline on the left hand side of the road this is the reputed burial place of scene wife of one of the eight leaders of the milesians who were the last legendary invaders of ireland the next point of interest is at the coomakista pass we highly recommend a stop here to take in the views over the kenmare river scariff and deenish islands visit derrynane house the home of daniel o connell which is just before the village of caherdaniel the house is now a national monument and is largely furnished with items relating to his life and contains a collection of his personal belongings the house is part of the extensive derrynane national park a paradise for botanists and ornithologists which includes a nature trail some exceptionally beautiful scenery and one of ireland s most outstanding beaches continue onwards to the village of caherdaniel a little beyond the village are the sandy beaches of westcove and castlecove visit the staigue fort which is one of the largest and finest examples of a circular stone fort in ireland from the staigue fort drive to the picturesque village of sneem the rivers ardsheelaun and sneem join and flow into the bay here forming an attractive cascade at the bridge in drive signposts meanders along quiet rural and coastal roads linking rural and coastal villages and heritage attractions there is also a selection of suggested excursions from the drive to note the villages of kilmore quay co wexford and stradbally co waterford and the signposted drives of the ring of hook and the barrow drive the route can be travelled east or west and to fully appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and wonderful variety of historical sites charming villages and magnificent scenery we recommend that you slow to an irish pace and take your time the route will give you a wonderful insight into the natural beauty and historical treasures of ireland s south east the ring of kerry 1 or 2 day tour killarney ­ killarney 136 miles 217 km 10 11 south west region west cork coastal mizen head tour 2 day tour cork mizen head 152 kms 95 mls cahersiveen skibbereen dunmanway mizen head skibbereen the ring of kerry is one of ireland s most popular scenic drives although it can be completed in a day it is far more enjoyable to discover its hidden treasures which are off the beaten path at one s leisure most visitors use killarney as their starting point however it is possible to use any of the towns and villages along the route as a starting point as it is a circular route rossbeigh strand county kerry

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