| Living the Sheep's Head Way

O’Keeffe’s SuperValu

January 2, 2018 by Dunmanus

O’Keeffe’s SuperValu supermarket in Bantry is the ideal place to stock up on food, wine and household goods for your stay in West Cork

O’Keeffe’s SuperValu in Bantry is the largest supermarket in the area, and it offers a full range of well-known brands. Take your pick from a wide range of fresh local produce, and the wide range of wonderful speciality items (like Durrus Cheese, Glenilen yoghurts, and other tasty treats) made right here in West Cork.

Local fresh fish, meat, and breads are also available and there’s a new café too in the large harbourside store.

If you’re looking for food to meet special dietary requirements, you’ll find a full selection here, including the supermarket chain’s own ‘Free From’ range.

You can even shop online at Supervalu and have a delivery made to your holiday home to save time to save yourself more time for relaxing and having fun!

Location:	Harbour View, Bantry, Co. Cork
Opening Hours:	9am-9pm (6 days) 10am-7pm (Sundays)
Tel:	00 353 (0)27 50001
Map:	Yes
	Lift from store to car park; disabled toilet; wide aisles.
Facebook	Yes

The Old Creamery

June 21, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Old Creamery in Kilcrohane is the newest place to eat along the Sheep’s Head Way!

Taste the fresh local food being dished up at The Old Creamery, and you’ll be getting a real flavour of life on the western edge of Europe. In this new family-run café and restaurant, sample wonderful local meats, fish and produce overlooking Dunmanus Bay. And you can even hire a bicycle to explore the peninsula and work off the effects of your indulgence!

The Old Creamery is the perfect place to eat if you’re exploring this unspoilt part of the world. It’s also building a reputation with walking groups whose members want to try the great local food produced along the Sheep’s Head peninsula.

A number of our local loop walks begin in Kilcrohane, so the Old Creamery makes the perfect place to reward yourself for your efforts.

The creamery building is also home to the Sheep’s Head Producers’ Market and Shop, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople, and bring home some of the lovely crafts and produce for which the area is building a great reputation.

You can even hire a bike here in case you want to work up an appetite before your lunch by taking a spin on the Sheep’s Head Way Cycle Route.

Location:	Kilcrohane, The Sheep's Head peninsula, Co. Cork.
Opening Hours:	10:30am - 4pm, Wed to Sunday. Dinners Friday & Saturday, 7-9.
Tel:	00 353 (0)27 67139
Email:
	Yes

Credit Cards:
Special Dietary Requirements?	Vegetarian, gluten-free, and 'no gluten containing ingredients' options available.
TripAdvisor Reviews:
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:

Seamount Farm B&B

June 21, 2014 by Dunmanus

Seamount Farm B&B is located in a 7th-generation family farmhouse on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, and offer magnificent views over Bantry Bay

Situated just 12km west of Bantry, this friendly farmhouse B&B is an ideal base for a holiday spent walking the Sheep’s Head Way, touring the Beara peninsula, or visiting Mizen Head. You’ll be welcomed with hot tea, warm scones, and home-made jam. Seamount Farm is famous for its hearty breakfasts. The coeliac-friendly B&B makes a homely base for your walking holiday.

All of the rooms are comfortable and well-appointed. The pleasant garden at Seamount Farm even boasts some palm trees, a testament to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream which passes this part of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline.

Seamount’s owners, Charlie and Julia, are very knowledgeable about the history and geology of the Sheep’s Head peninsula. They will be happy to share their knowledge of the area with you as you plan walks and other activities during your stay.

The Sheep’s Head has a wide range of local loop walks as well as the main Sheep’s Head Trail.

Charlie is an expert walking guide and can arrange guided walks and bespoke tours for you and your walking group.

Fáilte Ireland Rating:	3 Star
Owner:	Julia and Charlie McCarthy
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 61226
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://seamountfarm.com
	No
	Yes
TripAdvisor Reviews:	Yes
Location:	Goat's Path, Sheep's Head peninsula, Co. Cork
Rates:	From €32 per person, per night. See here for more details.
Facebook:	Yes

Arundel’s by the Pier

May 20, 2014 by Dunmanus

Arundel’s by the Pier is a family-run bar and restaurant located in an idyllic location overlooking Kitchen Cove in Ahakista

Recommended by The McKenna Guides as “One of the key instigators & players on the burgeoning food scene on the Sheep’s Head peninsula,” Arundel’s is a perfect place to relax while taking in the spectacular views of Dunmanus Bay.

Head chef Dominique Carrucci trained in some of the most spectacular places in France and Italy, and has brought his wonderful flair to Ahakista.

From the beer garden on the water’s edge you can watch the fishermen bring in their catch before ordering fresh fish from the wide-ranging menu.

And of course, for all of the parents out there who like dining al fresco with their children, there is a playground with swings, slide, blackboard and seating to help keep little ones entertained while the grown-ups enjoy their meals!

Booking recommended.

Location:	Ahakista, The Sheep's Head peninsula, Co. Cork
Opening Hours:	Food Every Day: 12.30pm - 8.30pm Usual bar times also apply.
Tel:	00 353 (0)27 67033
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	No
	No
	Yes
Credit Cards:	Yes
Special Dietary Requirements?	The menu at Arundel's is very clearly marked with a range of gluten-free and vegetarian choices.
TripAdvisor Reviews:	Yes
Google Maps:	Yes
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@arundelspier

Ma Murphy’s Bar

February 10, 2014 by Dunmanus

If you want a genuine, untouched, unfiddled with traditional Irish pub with real Irish character and the warmest of friendly welcomes, you need look no further than Ma Murphy’s in the middle of Bantry’s main thoroughfare.

Don’t be confused by the landlord’s Welsh accent, he’s as West Cork as they come; he was born on an island in Roaring Water Bay. If you have time enough (And capacity enough!) Bill will tell you that, and many other wonderful tales.

It’s one of the most wonderful places for a night-out in the whole of West Cork.

“Ma Murphy opened her welcoming arms to us in the form of Billy’s enthusiastic greeting. The most fervent greeting was reserved for any ladies coming and going who generally received a bear hug.”

Ma Murphy’s receives many great plaudits, mainly because it has maintained its original guise. This is a credit to the previous proprietors of the bar which dates back as far as the eighteenth century, and is also very much appreciated by the local community and visitors to West Cork. Ma Murphy’s Traditional Bar oozes charm and class and is a complete manifestation of all things Irish.

When visiting West Cork, make sure you call to Ma Murphy’s traditional bar, off licence, grocery and beer garden.
Craft beers, a great range of whiskeys and coeliac-friendly bar snacks help to set this place apart.

You’ll be guaranteed a tremendous welcome and maybe even a song when you visit Ma Murphy’s.

Location:	New Street, Bantry
Tel:	00 353 (0)27 50242
Email:	[email protected]
	Bar area is accessible, however no bathroom access.
	Yes
Dietary Restrictions:	A range of coeliac-friendly bar snacks, beers and ciders are available.
TripAdvisor	Yes
Other information:	Takes bookings; good for groups or parties; catering, outdoor seating. Closed Good Friday.
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@MaMurphysPub

Coeliac-Friendly

February 6, 2014 by Dunmanus

Visit the Sheep’s Head, the gluten-free way!

We know it can be difficult to choose accommodation, restaurants and cafés with confidence when you have coeliac disease. Ireland has a high incidence of coeliac disease, and West Cork is a recognised ‘coeliac cluster’. As a result, awareness is generally high, and we’ve highlighted on our website businesses that should be helpful to you.

Of course, we can’t guarantee that the plate in front of you will be gluten-free. You’ll need to exercise your usual caution in choosing options, but we hope our guide makes your task a little bit easier. It’s worth remembering that food businesses here operate on small premises, and don’t have separate kitchens. Across Ireland, you won’t often find separate gluten-free menus, but suitable items on standard menus are normally clearly-marked.

When you’re choosing coeliac-friendly accommodation, both Seamount Farm B&B and Eagle Point Camping are run by people who walk the gluten-free path. Other providers will do their best to support you too.

If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time and staying in self-catering accommodation, contact us and we’ll be happy to share hints and tips with you about shopping for gluten-free food when you’re dealing with unfamiliar brands.

You’ll find that Supervalu in Bantry offers a full range of ‘Free From’ foods, and that other items there, and in Centra Drimoleague, are well-labelled. On the Sheep’s Head peninsula, the general store attached to The Gateway in Durrus is a good spot for picking up supplies.

We hope you’ll find some useful information here about being gluten-free, the Sheep’s Head Way! And don’t hesitate to contact us for advice or with feedback on your experiences.

Find out which businesses along the way are coeliac-friendly …