Durrus - Living the Sheep's Head Way

Ballycommane Garden

March 1, 2016 by Dunmanus

Throughout the year, Ballycommane Garden near Durrus offers an array of colour

This lovely West Cork garden features an abundance of flowers as well as a huge variety of mature shrubs and trees. From the ancient boulder-burial site, there is a breathtaking view over the broad valley of the Four Mile Water (Ballycommane River).

You’ll see sheep grazing peacefully on the green hillsides, a clear sign that you’re on the Sheep’s Head Way, one of Ireland’s best-loved walking routes.

Visitors to Ballycommane Garden enjoy the colourful display the garden offers whenever they decide to visit.

There’s lovely established hedging throughout the grounds. The cover provided by the extensive foliage has created tasteful, secluded areas for private contemplation in this lovely West Cork garden. We invite you to walk around, sit down, relax and escape the pressures of everyday life.

Ballycommane, which is located near Durrus, also offers lovely B&B accommodation.

Enjoy visits to a range of wonderful West Cork gardens close to Ballycommane!

Location:	Ballycommane, Durrus, Co. Cork.
Entrance Fee:
Opening Hours:	Call for details.
Tel.	353 27 62799 Email
Email:	:[email protected]
Website:	http://ballycommanehouse.com/
	No information currently available.
TripAdvisor Reviews	No
Google Maps:	Yes Latitude: 51.63577 Longitude: 9.47941
Facebook:

Tíg na Fáilte Holiday Home

March 17, 2015 by Dunmanus

Tíg na Fáilte is a comfortable and welcoming holiday home on West Cork’s stunning Sheep’s Head peninsula.

This lovely Irish holiday home on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head peninsula offers wonderful views of Dunmanus Bay from the living room, kitchen and all three bedrooms. The master bedroom with double bed and en-suite, is on the first floor, while the other two double bedrooms are on the ground floor.

The main living room, opening off the kitchen/dining room, has 2 couches, an armchair and an open fireplace. It also features a TV and DVD player, music system and well stocked book shelves with local guides and maps.

A second ground floor room is stocked with toys and games. The house has WiFi access. The kitchen is equipped with facilities for the adventurous cook and is laid out for ease of use, with dishwasher beside the sink. A sliding door gives access to the patio from the living room. A barbecue and set of garden furniture are on the patio, overlooking the bay.

The adjacent garden to the side of the property has swings and a slide for children. Hedging along the lane guarantees privacy. The area abounds in activities such as swimming, fishing, hill walking and horse riding.

This holiday home gives you easy access to the incredible beauty spots of West Cork and Kerry.

Fáilte Ireland Rating:	4 Star
Owner:	Máire ní Mhurchú
Phone:	00 353 (0)87 412 9698
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.dunmanuscottage.ie

	Yes
TripAdvisor Reviews:	No
Location:	Durrus, Sheep's Head peninsula, Co. Cork
Rates:	See website for details.
Electricity	Metered (additional cost)
Facebook:	Yes

Coomkeen Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

August 23, 2014 by Dunmanus

Coomkeen Sheep's Head Loop Walk West Cork

From the ridge of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, the Coomkeen Loop Walk offers wonderful views

Look out over Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay, and the Beara peninsula. And take in views along the peninsula before heading down to walk quiet country lanes in the fertile valley where Durrus Cheese is made.

Coomkeen Loop Walk Route

To begin the Coomkeen Loop Walk, drive from Durrus village taking the main road for Kilcrohane and after St. James’s Church of Ireland take the first right, continue on until you reach a crossroads and take the option for Coomkeen (straight on). This road will take you all the way to the car park at Boolteenagh.

From the car park at Boolteenagh, way marker no. 31 set out off road in a southwesterly direction along the ridge before you reach way marker no. 49 you will see “Lough Na Fuilla” (Lake of the Blood) straight ahead of you. Turn left here after crossing over a timber stile, way marker 20 CM.

Follow a track (The old lake road) in a southerly direction which will eventually lead onto a tarred road. Go straight on here at way marker no. 16 CM, past the junction for Fahane and Gerahies until you reach a finger post sign for “Coomkeen”. Take a left here and continue along the road again until you reach two more sets of finger post signs, take the “Coomkeen Loop option at each. Continue back to the car park at Boolteenagh along the road, passing the turn off for “Durrus Cheese” enroute.

Note : Be aware of weather conditions and cut away peat bogs along the loop walk. Please do not exit marked trails only on marked routes. No dogs are allowed on The Sheep’s Head Way.

The Coomkeen Loop Walk is one of 20 colour-coded Sheep’s Head Way loop walks.

Download GPX File:	Coomkeen Loop GPX File
View the route in 3D on Google Earth:	Download Coomkeen Loop Walk KMZ file
Start/Finish:	Durrus Trailhead and drive to the Boolteenagh car park.
Grade:	Easy
Arrow Colour:	Follow the orange arrows & yellow 'walking man' markers
Distance:	6.8 km (approx)
Estimated time:	2 hours 30 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:	433 metres
Maximum Height:	222 metres
Dogs Allowed?	No
Minimum Gear:	Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

Mount Corrin Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

August 21, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Mount Corrin Loop Walk is a six-hour hike on the Sheep’s Head Way that rewards you with gorgeous views over West Cork’s hills and Dunmanus Bay

It’s dotted with sights of historic interest too, from cairns to megalithic tombs. Well worth the effort!

“The views from the cairn are stupendous, taking in the West Cork peninsulas and the hinterland across to the Kerry mountains.” (Roaringwater Journal)

Mount Corrin Loop Walk Route

To begin the Mount Corrin Loop Walk on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head peninsula, set out from Durrus village along the old creamery road passing Wiseman’s hardware store on your way.

The well-signposted walk is part of the Sheep’s Head Way hiking route on Ireland’s southwest coastline.

Continue on along the road for a good while until you reach way marker no. 570 on a telephone pole, take a right here and go up another road. At way marker no. 572 you will go off road and through farm land and tracks until you will arrive at a timber stile, way marker no. 600 and a gate with an information sign on it. Go right after going over the timber stile and continue along the road until you reach another timber stile, way marker no. 603. Go left over the timber stile and onto the land, continue on up until you reach way marker no. 619 and take the Mount Corrin option which is straight on ahead and over a timber stile.

Continue on up along. Further on down, you will reach an information sign beside the road and take the Mount Corrin/Dunbeacon option. Across the road you will see way marker no. 397 and from here you will set out for Mount Corrin. On reaching the summit you will descend down onto the Mine Road via a timber stile way marker no. 975. (There is an information sign here also at this point, so you can opt for going back to Durrus village or the car park at Dunbeacon Church).

Take a right here along the road and continue on until way marker no. 976 on a telephone pole, if you want to go to the car park at Dunbeacon Church turn left here and the road will lead you there.

Continue down the Mines Road. (To the left is a marked path to the Dunbeacon Stone Circle if you wish to visit it, adding about 1km to the route. A short distance further on, to the left, is a short path to the Coolcoulaghta Stone Row).

Just before the Mines Road meets the R591 road to Durrus, look out for a stile on the left. This will take you across fields and a boreen to another small road where you turn right. Follow this road to the T-junction where you turn left and then left again at the next junction before turning right onto the R591 road which will lead you back to Durrus village from where you started.

Note : Be aware of weather conditions and cut away peat bogs along the loop walk. Be aware of any livestock on the land, especially any bulls. Please do not exit marked trails. Stay on marked routes, and remember that no dogs are allowed on the Sheep’s Head Way.

The Mount Corrin Loop Walk is one of 20 colour-coded Sheep’s Head Way loop walks.

Plan your visit here at https://livingthesheepsheadway.com

Download GPX File	Download Mount Corrin Loop Walk GPX file
View Route in 3D on Google Earth:	Download Mount Corrin Loop Walk KMZ file
Start/Finish:	Durrus Trailhead or Dunbeacon Church car park.
Grade:	Hard
Arrows:	Follow the purple arrows & yellow 'walking man' markers
Distance:	17.1 km (approx)
Estimated time:	6 hours (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:	585 metres
Maximum Height:	301 metres
Dogs Allowed?	No
Minimum Gear:	Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

Barnageehy Loop Walk | Sheep’s Head Way

February 5, 2014 by Dunmanus

Barnageehy Loop Walk on the Sheep’s Head Way is a peaceful walk through gorgeous Irish countryside

You’ll enjoy the wonderful views over patchwork fields and moorlands as you walk you walk the quiet roads around Durrus and explore country tracks with views over Bantry and the West Cork hills.

Barnageehy Loop Walk Details

To begin the Barnageehy Loop Walk, drive from Durrus village to the Car Park at Barnageehy.

Take the old creamery road from Durrus, passing Wiseman’s Hardware Store, and continue on along this road until you reach the N71 and take a right here.

The N71 will take you all the way uphill until you reach the car park at Barnageehy. At the Sheep’s Head Way finger post sign, turn right into the car park. There is a sign for Glanlough there also.

To reach Barnageehy from Bantry, drive from Bantry taking the N71 passing The Westlodge Hotel and the turn off for The Sheep’s Head peninsula en route. Turn right at the junction for Skibbereen and Ballydehob and the N71 will take you all the way uphill until you reach the car park at Barnageehy. At the Sheep’s Head Way finger post sign turn in to your right to the car park, there is a sign for Glanlough there also.

From the car park at Barnageehy set out along the road in a westerly direction following the yellow walking man way markers. At way marker no. 634 turn left off road and continue on up a track in a southerly direction at first before heading in a southwesterly direction with forestry on your left as you ascend. When you reach way marker no. 619, turn right here to descend down to the public road going over a timber stile, way marker no. 603. Turn right here and follow the road back to the car park at Barnageehy passing by a timber stile, way marker no. 600 and a gate with an information sign on it enroute.

Note : Be aware of weather conditions and cut away peat bogs along the loop walk. Be aware of any livestock on the land, especially any Bulls. Please do not exit marked trails only on marked routes. No dogs are allowed on the Sheep’s Head Way.

The Barnageehy Loop Walk is one of 20 colour-coded Sheep’s Head Way loop walks.

Download GPX File for GPS:	Barnageehy Loop Walk file
View in 3D on Google Earth:	Download Barnageehy Loop Walk file
Start/Finish:	Durrus Trailhead and drive to the Barnageehy car park.
Grade:	Moderate
Arrow Colour:	Follow the green arrows & yellow 'walking man' markers
Distance:	7.7 km (approx)
Estimated time:	2 hours 45 mins (based on average walking speed of 3 km per hour)
Metres Climbed/ Ascent:	546 metres
Maximum Height:	301 metres
Dogs Allowed?	No
Minimum Gear:	Walking boots, rain gear, fluid, and a mobile phone.

Bay Haven Cottage

January 2, 2014 by Dunmanus

Bay Haven Cottage sits overlooking the picturesque Dunmanus Bay, directly overlooking the renowned Sheep’s Head Way walking route.

The cottage, which has a large private garden, is ideal for those seeking a relaxing break away from it all.

The cottage includes three bedrooms, two double rooms and one single. One of the doubles is ensuite with shower and toilet and there is an additional bathroom with shower. Linen and towels are provided. Inside, guests will find laundry facilities, a well-equipped kitchen and heating by both open fire and oil fired central heating. The cottage also meets guests’ entertainment needs with TV, video and CD player.

The local area around Bay Haven Cottage offers a multitude of leisure options. There are sandy beaches, an 18-hole golf course in Bantry, shore fishing, horse riding, bicycle hire and various walking opportunities available.

The Sheep’s Head Way is renowned as Ireland’s best-loved walking route. Sailing trips are also available in Carbery Sailing‘s luxury yacht, Merlin.

The village of Durrus village at the head of Dunmanus Bay is just 5km away and has shops, pubs and a post office. Just a little further afield guests can discover Bantry town, home to supermarkets, shops, restaurants and beautiful Bantry House.

Pets are welcome at Bay Haven Cottage.

Fáilte Ireland Rating:	4 Star
Owner:	Margaret Levis
Phone:	00 353 (0)27 61064
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	bayhavencottage.net
	No
	Yes
TripAdvisor Reviews:	No
Location:	Kealties, Durrus, Sheep's Head peninsula, Co. Cork
Rates:	April & October: €350 per week May € 380 June, September: €400 July, August: €500 Rest of year: €300
Facebook:	Yes