Living the Sheep's Head Way

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West Cork Literary Festival 2022

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West Cork Literary Festival 8 – 15 July 2022

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.

This year sees a full in person return to the festival and a packed schedule of 69 events featuring over 80 authors such as Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín, Zadie Smith, Paul Muldoon, Nick Laird, Louise O’Neill, Geoff Dyer, Rosaleen McDonagh, Seán Hewitt, Maeve Higgins, Yan Ge, Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Caroline O’Donoghue, Tice Cin – and many more.

Festival Programme

This summer, the West Cork Literary Festival has partnered with the Lighthouse Project to deliver an offering at Sheep’s Head with writer Sara Baume and visual artist Mark Beatty. The Lighthouse Project is a site-specific response to lighthouses around Ireland, curated by Dani Gill and produced in partnership with festivals and other partners in counties where it takes place. Please note that tickets are limited and attendance at this event is limited to ticket-holders only.

This event takes place on the 15th July 2022.

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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.

West Cork Literary Festival at a glance

West Cork Literary Festival
Dates:8th-15th July 2022
Location:Bantry, Co. Cork
Bookings:Book online
Phone:00 353 (0)27 52788/9
Email:
[email protected]
Website:http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literaryfestival/
Wheelchair accessible?Please be advised by individual venues
TripAdvisor Reviews:No
Google Maps:Yes
Facebook:Yes
Twitter:@wcorklitfest

Gouladoo Treatment Room

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Enjoy relaxing treatments at Gouladoo Treatment Room Gouladoo Treatment Room

Our services can be booked by our B&B guests and by people who’d just like to drop in for a treatment on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, just a short drive from Bantry.

Each treatment, provided by Juanita Zeund, enhances the natural relaxation that this beautiful part of the world encourages in all its visitors. It is important to us that you feel good, whether you’re visiting Gouladoo Seaview for an individual treatment, or booking a relaxing massage as part of your holiday experience.

Reiki and Energy Treatments
Juanita’s particular interest is in Reiki treatments and energy treatments. These are supported by Bach flower essences. Juanita offers a range of massages which include the classic full body massage, sports massage, back/neck massage, foot reflexology massage, and professional stone massage.

Indulge yourself in one of the treatments we have available here at Gouladoo Seaview. Choose a treatment and an appointment slot that suits you, and we’ll get back to you to confirm your appointment.

https://gouladooseaview.com/treatments/

Masters of Tradition Festival 2018

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Masters of Tradition Festival

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/
Wheelchair accessible?Please be advised by individual venues
TripAdvisor Reviews:No
Google Maps:Yes
Facebook:Yes
Twitter:@mastersoftradit

West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2018

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West Cork Chamber Music Festival

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/
Wheelchair accessible?Please be advised by individual venues
TripAdvisor Reviews:No
Google Maps:Yes
Facebook:Yes
Twitter:@WestCorkMusic

Culture

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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

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Bantry House B&B

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
Wheelchair accessible?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

Featured Activity

Sheep’s Head Cycle Route

‘Cycle Ireland’ describes the Sheep’s Head Cycle Route on the Sheep’s Head peninsula as ‘the perfect cycling destination.’ The Sheep’s Head peninsula’s roads are quiet and peaceful even at the height of summer. The Sheep’s Head Way Cycle Route starts at Ballylickey, outside Bantry, before taking you down onto the peninsula itself. It ends in […]

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Featured Accommodation

Gallán Mór B&B

Gallán Mór, overlooking Dunmanus Bay on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, offers luxury B&B accommodation with style, distinction and warmth January 2016 – Gállan Mór ranked NO. 1 for the whole of County Cork on TripAdvisor Our four luxurious bedrooms, three with vaulted ceilings, offer sumptuous beds and stunning views. Our rooms overlook Dunmanus Bay and […]

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This project has been supported by Cork County Council & the LEADER programme under the Rural Development Programmes 2007-13 and 2017-2021.