No matter the season, there is an abundance of activities on offer in West Cork. At the Celtic Ross Hotel we are happy to organise any of the activities for you and your family.

Golf

There are a range of golf courses within 40 minutes of the hotel:

Practice your golfing skills before heading out on the course at the Rosscarbery Driving Range. The Range is open daily and takes €2 coins for a basket of golf balls.

Fun for all the family is the Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt course at Warren Strand. With two 18 hole links courses it is a unique selection of golf holes amid the Rosscarbery sand dunes.

Watersports

From pedal boats to sea kayaking there is a water activity to suit all levels.

Whale Watching

There are regular sightings of whales and dolphins in West Cork and one of the best ways to get close to these extraordinary mammals is by taking a whale and dolphin trip. Sightings include minke whale, pilot whale, fin whale (second in size only to the blue whale), humpback whale, killer whale, common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin.

Take a never to forget trip with Nic Slocum from Whale Watch West Cork, Union Hall www.whalewatchwestcork.com

Fishing

Rosscarbery offers the ideal base for some of Ireland’s most versatile fishing, with many great shore marks within easy reach. Whatever the weather, Rosscarbery provides a choice of venues from which the angler can always fish. Please contact us for more details.

Sea angling in Ireland is at its spectacular best where the rugged coastline of South West Ireland meets the warm plankton-rich waters of the Gulf Stream. West Cork offers a variety of fishing: wreck, shark, reef or estuary fishing. In a bay area over 25 species can be caught and in the Estuary specimen sized Bass, Flounder, Mullet and Giltedged Bream.

Due to the effects of the Gulf Stream sharks can be caught further off shore. All fish are tagged and released in the interest of conversation. Shark fishing Blues are the most plentiful species of shark and are often encountered within a mile or two of land. Catches of ten or more in a day are possible. Fishing is usually on the drift but can be at anchor also. In either case, it can be combined successfully with fishing for other species. And as well as blues, there is the chance of a porbeagle or even the rare six-gilled shark.

West Cork is established as Ireland’s wreck fishing centre with numerous wrecks off the coast where specimen Ling, Coalfish, Pollack, Cod and Conger are often caught. One of the largest wrecks in Irish waters is that of the RMS Lusitania. During the First World War the ship was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-20 on Friday 7th May 1915 and sank in eighteen minutes. The vessel went down eleven miles (18 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard, leaving 764 survivors.

For day fishing trips please contact the below

Horse Riding

  • Prendagast Riding Centre, Rosscarbery (July and August)
  • Kinsgtons Riding Centre, Clonakilty

Walking

  • Rambles of Rosscarbery: a range of scenic walks around the area with various levels of difficulties and distances.
  • Sheeps Head Way: 55 miles of varying routes the, Sheep’s Head caters for both the casual stroller and the more serious hiker with varying terrains and breathtaking scenery.

Gardens

The West Cork Garden Trail showcases some of the most eclectic mix of gardens you are every likely to see. Ranging from a country garden located on 40 acres of wooded valley, sculpted gardens, organic gardens and even a bog garden. June 9th – 24th.

West Cork Activities

Night Time Sea Kayaking

A fantastic activity that all the family can do together is night time sea kayaking with Jim Kennedy, Atlantic Sea Kayaking. No experience is necessary as Jim will run through everything at the beginning. The kayaking starts about an hour before moonlight with two people in each kayak leaving from Reen Pier near Union Hall. Even though you are kayaking in the near darkness your eyes become used to it very quickly while Jim tells you about the abundance of wild life in the area. Listen to Jim regale tales of the visiting Orcas and what about those great whites?! Once it gets dark every time your paddle hits the water the light emitted by the bio-luminescence creats an amazing waterfall of tiny lights in the water. It is a wonderful activity for everyone of all ages.