Culture

West Cork Literary Festival 2018

December 31, 2017 by Dunmanus

The West Cork Literary Festival presents an extensive programme of readings, workshops, seminars, panel discussions and children’s events

At the heart of the West Cork Literary Festival’s extensive programme is a schedule of five and three day workshops in Coláiste Pobail Bheanntrai. These workshops cover subjects such as the novel, travel writing, script writing, poetry, creative writing for beginners, writing for children and much more.

The main evening events feature readings held in the Maritime Hotel. In recent years, the literary festival’s guest authors have include Graham Norton, Mary Robinson, Colm Tóibín, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Sir Michael Parkinson, Michael Palin, Nuruddin Farah, Michael Morpurgo, Michael Holroyd, Annie Proulx, Margaret Drabble, Fay Weldon, and many more famous authors.

Bantry town is buzzing with literary conversation throughout the festival. There are free readings in Bantry Library and Bantry Bookshop, afternoon seminars, book launches, panel discussions, coffee and chat events.

The West Cork Literary Festival also provides an opportunity for Munster novelists to enter a competition to win the JG Farrell Award.

Dates:	13th-20th July 2018
Location:	Bantry, Co. Cork
Bookings:	Book online
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 52788/9
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literaryfestival/
	Please be advised by individual venues
TripAdvisor Reviews:	No
Google Maps:	Yes
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@wcorklitfest

Masters of Tradition Festival 2018

February 2, 2017 by Dunmanus

Masters of Tradition is a five-day traditional music festival held each August in the West Cork town of Bantry

The Masters of Tradition Festival features a series of wonderful performances that cover the full spectrum of Irish traditional music. The festival’s performances take place in fantastic settings around Bantry. Bantry House is one of Ireland’s most exquisite historic mansions, and concerts also take place in one of Bantry’s other special venues, St Brendan’s Church.

The event, organised by West Cork Music, provides a platform where subtle and sometimes obscure elements of Irish traditional music can be heard. By seeking the heart of the music, we find a universal voice that has widespread appeal and reaches across many cultural and musical barriers.

Why not come to Bantry for the festival and enjoy all the coastal town has to offer between the wonderful musical sets the festival has scheduled? There are many great loop walks to enjoy in the area along the Sheep’s Head Way walking route.

The Masters of Tradition festival is headlined by its Artistic Director, Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity have brought the tradition to new levels. His famous trance-evoking sets with Dennis Cahill have mesmerised audiences all over the world and will do again this summer!

Dates:	22nd-26th August 2018
Location:	Bantry, Co. Cork
Bookings:	Book online
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 52788/9
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/mastersoftradition/
	Please be advised by individual venues
TripAdvisor Reviews:	No
Google Maps:	Yes
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@mastersoftradit

West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2018

February 2, 2017 by Dunmanus

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival is the highlight of the summer for the many music lovers who make the annual pilgrimage to Bantry

Over the course of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, almost one hundred international musicians perform thirty six concerts in beautiful Bantry House and St. Brendan’s Church, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry.

Among the musicians scheduled to perform in 2018 are Mairéad Hickey,Peter Spissky, Luigi Gaggero, Alina Ibragamova, and the Dudok Quartet.

This is the festival where the music lover can hear the finest works in the repertoire as well as world premieres of some exciting new music. Each year audience members from throughout Europe, the United States and the Middle East arrive in this small fishing town in a remote corner of West Cork.

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival is not just a week of extraordinary concerts in a fabulous setting. It is also a summer meeting-point for top young ensembles, where advanced students have the opportunity to immerse themselves without distraction in the world of chamber music.

Morning talks, a violin making exhibition, young musician master classes, and a handful of free events run throughout the week.

It is important to pre-book your tickets, as the festival is known to sell out! Tickets for the West Cork Chamber Music Festival can be booked on the festival website or by calling the West Cork Music office.

Dates:	30th June-8th July 2017
Location:	Bantry, Co. Cork
Bookings:	Book online
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 52788/9
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/chambermusicfestival/
	Please be advised by individual venues
TripAdvisor Reviews:	No
Google Maps:	Yes
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@WestCorkMusic

January 14, 2014 by Dunmanus

Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Bantry and the Sheep’s Head peninsula when you visit the Sheep’s Head Way.

From megalithic stone circles and bardic schools to Bantry House, you can trace every stage of Ireland’s rich history here along the Sheep’s Head Way.

There are long hikes and loop walks to suit everyone, with stunning views across West Cork’s bays. After your walk, you can try West Cork’s wonderful local food, visit local food producers and craftspeople, or learn a new skill like letter-carving.

Explore wonderful West Cork gardens, take a day trip on a luxury yacht, and choose from a range of comfortable and welcoming Fáilte Ireland-approved accommodation for your trip.

Each summer, Bantry plays host to three of Ireland’s very best cultural festivals: the town is bustling with people who travel from all over the world for the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, the West Cork Literary Festival and the Masters of Tradition event.

The events give you the opportunity to engage with some of the world’s best musicians and writers, and many people make an annual pilgrimage to West Cork to enjoy these events again and again.

Whether you’re here to enjoy music, literature, history or scenery, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the richness of living the Sheep’s Head way!

Bantry House and Gardens

January 8, 2014 by Dunmanus

Take a tour of Bantry House, an exquisite Irish stately home and gardens, still owned by descendants of the original Earl of Bantry who built the house in the mid-1700s

The house’s story is, as you’ll discover, closely interwoven with Irish history. Richard White, Earl of Bantry ensured – with the help of some fierce storms – that Theobald Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen could not complete their plans to invade from Bantry Bay in 1796. Centuries later, the house was one of the few Irish stately homes to survive the War of Independence.

Bantry House provides a gracious setting for the many stunning artefacts which the family has collected from across Europe over the centuries. Meanwhile, the extensive landscaped gardens offer breath-taking views across Bantry Bay. Few visitors resist the temptation to climb the garden’s steps to gain a stunning perspective on this elegant and welcoming historic house.

Self-guided tours of the house and gardens are available, and guided tours with the owner, Sophie Shelswell-White can also be arranged (see below for details). A café is open here during the summer months.

Location:	Bantry, Co. Cork
Opening Hours:	Open Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays.
Winter Hours:	Closed from October-March 2015.
Admission Fee:	Visit the Garden Garden: €5 Annual Garden Passes: €10 and €30 Visit the House and Garden Adults: €11 Concessions/Groups: €8 Groups (20+): €7 Family Tickets 2 Adults 2 Children: €26 Child 6 -16 years old: €3 Child under 6 years old: FREE All the above are self-guided options Guided tour 2pm Tuesdays: €15 per person (includes self-guided visit)
Website:	http://bantryhouse.com
Tel.	00 353 (027)50047
Email:	[email protected]
Credit Cards:	Yes
TripAdvisor Reviews:	Yes
Google Maps:	Yes
	The House and Garden is partially wheelchair accessible with most of the formal garden to visit on gravel or flagstones. The house has the ground floor which consists of the halls, 2 drawing rooms featuring furniture and tapestries from Versailles, the Ante Room and dramatic Dining Room. We do not have a lift and there are 2 full flights of stairs and then half flight going to the library and bedrooms.
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@BantryHouse

Cronin’s Forge

November 28, 2013 by Dunmanus

The tradition of Celtic design inspires the modern blacksmiths who work at Cronin’s Forge on the shores of Dunmanus Bay.

You’re welcome to visit the forge to see that tradition embodied in contemporary craft pieces created by Brian Cronin, a fourth-generation blacksmith.

Brian was introduced to the craft of blacksmithing by his father Kevin who started the family-run business with his wife Carmel 30 years ago. Kevin had learnt his skills from his grandfather, so the forge is built on skills passed down from generation to generation.

Brian’s designs reflect the landscape, history and tradition of West Cork, as well as the Celtic influences his father loved. Both have contributed to a distinctive ‘Cronin’s Forge’ style of ironwork that you’ll quickly learn to recognise and appreciate. After your visit to the forge you’ll find it’s easy to spot Cronin’s gates and railings as you travel along the peninsula!

On your visit to the forge, you’ll see the beautiful lamps and candle-holders made here, some with hand-blown glass shades. Hand-made fire irons, and tiny toasting forks are some of the items visitors like to bring home as a memento of their stay in West Cork.

Cronin’s Forge is also home to craftwork produced by a handful of talented West Cork artists who have their wares on display in the Cronin’s Forge craft shop.

These pieces, chosen to compliment items in the forge’s own collection, demonstrate the same care for design and workmanship that the Cronins themselves show in their own work.

You’ll find Mairi Stone’s exquisitely-textured porcelain inspired by nature’s organic forms and structures alongside glasswork from Trish Goodbody, and a range of cushions and soft furnishings that work brilliantly with the ironwork on display.

The expansion of the craft shop demonstrates the strength and depth of the local craft scene, and in fact Carmel Cronin has commissioned a ‘Cronin’s Forge’ mug from Helen Ennis at nearby Dunbeacon Pottery for the craft shop’s launch.

‘There’s such a wonderful craft scene, here on the Sheep’s Head peninsula. and in West Cork more generally,’ says Carmel. ‘And, as more visitors head our way to see our dramatic coastline, we’re hoping they’ll enjoy discovering some of the craft pieces our landscape inspires.’

Celebrities who own Brian’s work include Graham Norton and Irish international rugby star Ronan O’Gara.

Cronin’s handmade iron pieces are distinctive examples of modern Irish craftsmanship, and will stand the test of time. You are welcome to talk to Brian about any commissions you might have in mind.

Groups are welcome. Just get in touch to schedule your group visit.

Location:	Durrus, Sheep's Head peninsula, Co. Cork
Opening Hours:	Mon - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 - 16:00
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 61114
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://croninsforge.ie
Facebook:	Yes