please see our interactive map of Ireland for more detailed information
What is there to do? The distinctive attraction is the scenic beauty, the tranquillity, the privacy, the freedom of the seven acres, the pier down below with its mooring, and, the invigorating fresh air. A restful holiday can be punctuated by a trip up to Killarney and around The Ring of Kerry taking in Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Waterville, Sneem and Parknasilla, Kenmare and Glengariff spending a night or two in the hotels and guesthouses en route.
Nearer home is Skibbereen and the sailing resort of Baltimore from which trips are made out to Cape Clear Gaeltacht and Sherkin Island. Closer still are the moorings at Crookhaven, a little further on the sandy beaches of Barley Cove, and ultimately, the landmark Mizen Head. On the way home, the lighthouse at Fastnet Rock is a maritime sentinel, and skirting Schull (of sailing renown), it is up over the hills to Durrus, Ahakista and Kilcrohane.
Music: Bantry House hosts a Chamber Music Festival in June and a Traditional Music Festival in August. For other events in the locality visit here and here.
Sailing: For sailing, boating, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking there is anchorage at Dooneen pier close to the house. Coves, inlets and cliffs beside the pier are great to explore. The water is home to seals and a wide variety of sea-birds all year round. Small craft (kayak, sail boards etc.) can easily fit in the storage room at the house. There is more sheltered anchorage available nearby in Ahakista and Kilcrohane, where boats can also be hired. On the north side of the property these is wind-protected shallow ravine for wintering boats. Dooneen pier is in use, as is that at Kilcrohane but yachtsmen prefer the more sheltered anchorage further in at Ahakista.
Boat Hire - For Sailing in enclosed waters at Schull, open boat and outboard engines, from Rossbrin Boat Yard: Telephone : +353 28 37352
Boat hire and sailing lessons at Schull pier : Contact Simon Nelson on (353)2828554.
Sailing lessons - Schull, all year round. Telephone : +353 28 35328, E-mail office at schullcommunity dot com
Scuba, snorkelling: The area around the pier is suitable for shore and night diving with good visibility and interesting sea life, offering depths up to 15m. Outcrops, high and low water caves, and inlets offer hours of safe adventures. More information available here.
Whale & Dolphin watching: South West Ireland is earning a strong reputation for the best whale and dolphin watching in the world. Peak season is September-November. More information on boat trips available here and here.
Fishing: There is good year-round fishing from the pier in Dooneen with mackerel in abundance in late summer. Fishing trips are organized from Ahakista. For more info on shore fishing in the area visit this page
Golf: Eighteen hole golf course in Bantry, on the bay.
Walking: Walking the length of Sheep's Head Peninsula along the Caha ridge is popular and well documented and well sign-posted. The St. Stephen's Day (26th December) organised walk is popular for the great fresh air and for its sociability. Closer to the house the Dooneen headland is a great place to walk with spectacular blow holes, shore walks, rock pools and cliffs. Its a quiet and special place; your only company will be sheep.
Swimming: The headland at Dooneen has a stony beach that is very nice for a private swim. If you're lucky you might be accompanied by seals, seabirds, and by dolphins if you're really lucky. Water temperatures vary throughout the year so come prepared with wetsuits etc. for water sports outside of summer time.
Horse riding: There are several riding schools in the area. Also visit this well established school.
Ask locally for up-to-date information, and please let us know of broken links.
Food and Drink:
The White House pub is 10 minutes walk away. Further on east in Kilcrohane village 0'Mahoney's restaurant at the Post Office, the Bay View Hotel and Fitzpatrick's pub are popular for food, drink and sociability. Driving back east for 15 minutes brings you to
'Good Things to Eat' in Durrus, nearby is Blair's Cove, and 15 minutes east again is Bantry with a wide range of hostelries and good restaurants. Nor should one forget the tasty sandwiches and apple tarts offered at the end of that glorious drive out west to see Sheep's Head.
Buying fresh fish locally - Tommy and Maureen Arundel. Telephone : +353 27 67212
Scallops: November - End March.
Lobster, Prawns: May - July.
Wild Salmon: June - July.
Mackerel: June - September.
Shrimp: September
Gardens:
South west Ireland enjoys a relatively warm micro climate thanks to the gulf stream. A good guide to the gardens in the area can be found here. Of particular interest is the award winning garden of Bob and Mary Walsh at Cois Cuain at Farranamanagh, close to Kilcrohane. Closer to Durrus there is also the unmissable Kilravock Garden that has an impressive range of exotic flora. From Kilcrohane it would be about an hour's drive up to Glengariff to visit the renowned gardens on Garnish Island. For the longer-stay guest at Dooneen, there is always the possibility of 'growing-your-own-vegetables-at-home on very fertile soil on the half-acre east of the house.
West Cork Event Calendar:
West Cork has a lot to offer in terms of events and activities throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy many sports, artistic, cultural and heritage attractions and events. Please visit our West Cork Event Calendar
Books: A number of books have been written about the locality, but what must stand out is 'White Goats and Black Bees' from
Amazon.com (read the reviews) written by the American couple who made their home in Dooneen in the early 1970s.
And if you can't find what you're looking for on this site we recommend you visit GoIreland.com - Ireland's premier tourism and travel portal
Links 'en francais'
Official tourism site de Irlande en francais.
Good page of links to help plan your holiday to Ireland.
General information about Cork: 1, 2.
|
