Beach Hotel West Cork

Visit many of the beautiful islands of West Cork

Cape Clear Island

Cape Clear is Ireland’s southernmost inhabited Gaeltacht island, 3 miles long by 1 mile wide, lies 8 miles off the coast of West Cork. 3 miles west of the island stands the solitary Fastnet Rock. To the northwest stretches the Mizen Head, the mainland’s southerly point. Cape Clear’s wild romantic scenery, its sparkling harbours, its cliffs and bogs and lake, all contribute to the island’s unspoilt charm.

Heather, gorse and wild flowers cover the rugged hills. Myriad stonewalls have a patchwork effect on the varied landscape. Megalithic standing stones and a 5000 year-old passage grave, a 12th century church ruin, a 14th century O’Driscoll castle, cannonaded in the early 1600′s, suggest times past. Saint Ciarán, the island’s patron saint, is allegedly the earliest of Ireland’s four pre-Patrician saints.

Cape Clear’s remote island location, coupled with its proximity to the continental shelf, makes it the foremost centre for bird watching in Ireland. Whale, leatherback turtle, sun fish and shark are spotted every year, dolphins regularly. Most of the 150 inhabitants speak Irish and English. Removed from the hustle and bustle of mainland life, Cape Clear offers relaxation, nature, peace.

Ferry runs daily from Baltimore and Schull. Please ask us for up to date timetable.

Sherkin Island

Sherkin island off the coast of West Cork is just three miles long, one mile wide and has a unique beauty and variety of landscape, which is both tranquil and breathtaking. You can choose from Sherkin’s sandy beaches – Trabawn, Cow Strand or the largest, Silver Strand. All are safe for bathing and ideal for children.

Alternatively, take a stroll along quiet leafy lanes or explore the old lighthouse and the ruined Franciscan Abbey by the pier. Dating from 1460, it was destroyed in 1537 by angry seafarers from Waterford in retaliation for the seizure and speedy consumption of 100 tons of their wine by the local O’Driscoll clan. Dún na Long (the Fort of the Ships) is the ruined O’Driscoll castle just north of the pier, a perfect spot to appreciate the beauty of Baltimore Harbour

Ferry runs daily from Baltimore. Please ask us for an up to date timetable.

Fastnet Rock Lighthouse

The Fastnet Rock lighthouse sticks up out of the Atlantic like a finger pointing at the heavens and marks Ireland’s most southerly point. It is the tallest and widest lighthouse in Ireland or Great Britain. The rock itself was known as the ‘Teardrop of Ireland’, being the last piece of the country emigrants saw as they sailed for a new life in America. The Irish name, Carraig Aonar (the lonely rock) well describes it, situated 7 km (4½ miles) from Cape Clear and 19 km (12 miles) from Baltimore in West Cork.

Local folklore relates how a giant picked up the rock which is now the Fastnet from Mount Gabriel near Schull and hurled it into the sea. However it got there, the Fastnet is an invaluable landmark for Atlantic shipping , not to mention locals who judge what the weather is about to do by checking on the rock’s visibility.

Several operators at Baltimore do trips around the rock. Please ask us for information and we would be happy to advise.

Garnish Island

Located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, in Southwest Ireland, Ilnacullin is a small island of 37 acres known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all around the world as an island garden of rare beauty. Ilnacullin is renowned for its richness of plant form and colour, changing continuously with the seasons.

The vivid colours of Rhododendrons and Azaleas reach their peak during May and June, whilst the hundreds of cultivars of climbing plants, herbaceous perennials and choice shrubs dominate the midsummer period from June to August. Autumn colour, particularly on the magnificent heather bank, is rich during the usually mild early autumn months of September and October.

Because of its sheltered situation and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream the climate is in some respect almost subtropical, and is favourable to the growth of ornamental plants from many parts of the world. It is open from March to October, entry fee applies.

Ferry runs daily from Glengarriff and include a visit to the seals often found swimming or resting on the rocks. Please ask us for timetable information.

Dursey Ieland

Dursey Island lies at the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula and is 6.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island is separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water called Dursey Sound. This peaceful island with only has 4 or 5 permanent residents is connected to the mainland by Ireland’s only cable car. It is also the only cable car which goes over sea water in Europe spanning the Dursey Sound that is one of its main attractions.

The cable car which runs about 250m above the sea , takes six people or one-two large animals at a time! The island is part of the Beara Way walking trail and having no shops, pubs or restaurants offers the day visitor a unique experience of calm with spectacular views of the Beara peninsula and perfect for whale and dolphin watching. It is also a bird watcher’s paradise with rare birds from Siberia and America being spotted there.

The cable car runs daily from the Beara Peninsula. Please ask us for timetable. Click here to view recent photos of the cable car and Dursey Island on our Facebook page – photos

Bere Island

Bere Island lies at the entrance to the magnificent Bantry Bay and guards the deep water harbour of Berehaven, in West Cork.  The island is just 2kms offshore from the town of Castletownbere, the largest white fishing port in Ireland.  The Slieve Miskish and Caha Mountain ranges of the Beara Peninsula tower over the island providing a dramatic backdrop.  The island is roughly 11kms x 5kms in size with a population of just over 200.

The island is rich in archaeological sites dating from the Bronze Age through to medieval times, including ring forts, standing stones, wedge tombs and burial sites.  The British had a particular interest in the island, with remnants of British Imperialism visible throughout.  At various stages they constructed Martello towers, a signal tower, military barracks and a military fortification which hosts two six inch guns, all of which can be seen today.

Bird watchers and plant lovers will delight at the many species to be found on land and at the water’s edge.  Whales, basking sharks, and bottle-nose and common dolphins can all be sighted around Bere Island. Other attractions not to be missed include detailed exhibitions at the Heritage Centre; dining on local Bantry Bay produce; or just enjoying the ambience of one of Bere’s pubs or restaurants.

Ferry runs daily from Castletownbere. Please ask us for details

Whiddy Island

Truly an island paradise – Whiddy is a small haven of peace and tranquility. A small island, approximately 3 miles long x 1.5 miles wide & nestling in the sheltered heart of Bantry Bay, off the coast of West Cork. Its inhabitants, mostly devoted to fishing and farming, are warm natured people who welcome both day-trippers and holiday makers alike.

Visitors here can be assured of a restful and enjoyable stay, enjoying stunning views amidst green and pleasant surroundings. Whiddy has much to offer the visitor, the nature of the island means it is popular with artists and painters. Quiet walks can be taken both by road and pasture, and along it’s plentiful shores. The shoreline has much to offer, with an abundance of rockpools and breathtaking scenery.

Ferry runs daily from Bantry Pier. Please ask us for up to date timetable.