Clonakilty area day trips

twinkletoes

Hi there, we are going on hols to Clonakilty shortly and have been there many times and love it..just thinking of day trips a little further afield- what would you reccommend? Skibereen is only a half hour away and we've never been? What would you reccommend to do down around that area? Good beaches/walks?(Btw we are two adults two kids). Was reading about Heir Island- seems a bit remote but might be nice on a good weather day? Anyway any suggestions welcome or other reccommendations for surrounding Clon area..had been thinking Mizen Head-looks amazing but think its a bit far at 1.5 hours from Clon? Thanks in advance.

.red.

If the weather is good then Mizen is well worth the trip. Head off early and spend the day down there, barleycove is one of the nicest beaches in Ireland and on the way. There was an ecoli scare there last week but it's been retested and got the all clear.
There's a massive pool at the back of the beach that stays full of water as the tide drops, it gets very warm on sunny days and is very shallow so you can relax and let the kids play in there without worrying that their going too far out.

twinkletoes

.red. wrote: »

If the weather is good then Mizen is well worth the trip. Head off early and spend the day down there, barleycove is one of the nicest beaches in Ireland and on the way. There was an ecoli scare there last week but it's been retested and got the all clear.
There's a massive pool at the back of the beach that stays full of water as the tide drops, it gets very warm on sunny days and is very shallow so you can relax and let the kids play in there without worrying that their going too far out.

Super- thanks for that!

frash

.red. wrote: »

If the weather is good then Mizen is well worth the trip. Head off early and spend the day down there, barleycove is one of the nicest beaches in Ireland and on the way. There was an ecoli scare there last week but it's been retested and got the all clear.
There's a massive pool at the back of the beach that stays full of water as the tide drops, it gets very warm on sunny days and is very shallow so you can relax and let the kids play in there without worrying that their going too far out.

Just highlighting he means the back of the beach
The bit that runs around the side can be fast & deep

Balmed Out

In immediate vicinity inchydoney, red Strand and Warren beaches.
Castlefreke wood and lake walks.
Drombeg stone circle and glandore.
Walk between timoleague and courtmacsherry.
Broadstrand beach behind courtmacsherry for views of Old head.
Galley head if warm weather for possible sightseeing of basking sharks and sometimes distant whales.
Model railway if you have small kids is great.
Further afield baltimore, mizzen, sheep's head, beara, Kinsale, fota and all the attractions of the city.
Gougone barra, bantry and glengariffe worth visits skibereen has a good famine museum if it interests you.
Keep an eye on festivals. Most of the local villages have one in August or late July and there is a clonakilty old time festival that's well worth going to.

LittleWhiteDog

Courtmacsherry is lovely, they have a bird sanctuary/cafe there. Think it's called the golden pheasant? It's free once you are getting a cup of tea at the cafe. Scones are gorgeous! They also have a cute little lifeboat museum and the beach there is good for kids to play on.

There is also a whale skeleton on display in Kilbrittain and a lovely playground & walk there to do with kids. It's a small place but my boys loved it.

LittleWhiteDog

Meant to add that I didn't think much of skibbereen at all for a day trip & wouldn't recommend but maybe I missed its potential!

twinkletoes

Thank you everyone so much for tips and advice, have absolutely loads to work with !! Really appreciate the replies.

podgemonster

Skibbereen is a market town with more focused on day to day trade and services than catering specifically for tourists than let say Kinsale. The surrounding villages around Skibbereen (Union Hall, Glandore, Baltimore, Castletownsend) is where it's at for activities. That being said the Saturday farmers market in the town centre has live music, great food and plenty of stalls selling handmade soap to live chickens.

Baltimore and Union Hall both do sea safari type day trips to see Whales and Dolphins. Lough Ine between Skibbereen and Baltimore is one of Europe's largest saltwater lakes, great for swimming, kayaking and an easy hike to the top or a walk around the lake is easier. From Baltimore you can also get the ferry to Sherkin or Cape Clear (which has glamping). The Beacon in Baltimore is iconic but can be a bit dangerous if windy. Tragumna Beach and Tralispean Beach are lovely beaches. Rineen woods in Union Hall is lovely for a walk too.

twinkletoes

Thanks again everyone for all the replies! We are back and wow what a week we had. We love the Clon area even more than before!
Because of the heat we didnt feel like travelling far at all but we'll be back for sure! We stuck to the local beaches etc. We went to Inchydoney, Warren, Owenahincha, Long Strand..Warren probably our favourite- safe for the kids, they didnt have to walk out far to get to the sea and good waves for buggy boards. We took a walk on one of the paths at CastleFrecke- great views- whats the story with the poor dead trees there though?
We had a game of crazy golf + did maze at Smugglers Cove Roscarberry...
Clonakilty town itself is just so beautiful and well kept..love the little park beside Michael Collins house. So much to explore and cant wait to get back-will keep your recommendations for further afield for then! Thank you.