Things to do - Page 2 of 4 - Living the Sheep's Head Way

Cycle West Cork

January 4, 2015 by Dunmanus

Hire a bike from Cycle West Cork for a great day cycling the Sheep’s Head Way cycle route. Extended guided group cycle tours are also available.

We can deliver and collect bikes to and from your accommodation, making your stay in West Cork easy and enjoyable. We have both traditional and electric bicycles for you to choose from, ideal if you’re looking to cycle the Goat’s Path, and explore the shoreside villages on the Sheep’s Head Way cycle route.

Hire a bike to cycle the Sheep’s Head Way route, or sign up for a 7-day group cycling tour of West Cork. Bespoke tours are available, so why not choose a weekend of cycling along the wild Atlantic coastline: you’ll arrive in West Cork and be set up with bikes and equipment, and you’ll get all the information you need to make the most of your time cycling in West Cork.

As you explore the coastline and villages of West Cork, you’ll take in amazing views and West Cork’s fresh salt air. All that cycling will give you a great appetite for some of the wonderful food West Cork has to offer too.

Cycle West Cork’s support vehicle will accompany you for the duration of your holiday to deliver your luggage to each destination, while expert advice and guidance is on hand as we work to make sure you see the very best of West Cork on a bike!

Location:	Bikes can be delivered to your accommodation across West Cork
Price:	Bike hire from €15 per day.
Email:	[email protected]
Tel:	00 353 (0)87 392 1894 [mobile]
	No
Website:	Cycle West Cork
TripAdvisor:	Yes
Additional information:	Traditional and electric bikes are available.
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@CycleWestCork

Dunbeacon Pottery

January 22, 2014 by Dunmanus

Dunbeacon Pottery is created by Helen Ennis on the shores of Dunmanus Bay, inspired by West Cork’s land and seascapes

Our collection of functional pottery combines quality in craftsmanship with inspirational and modern designs. After working and apprenticing in potteries around Ireland, Helen Ennis took over the running of Dunbeacon Pottery in the year 2000.

Helen’s vision is to bring well-designed, affordable, functional ceramic tableware to a wider audience. Every single piece of Dunbeacon Pottery is handmade and finished to the highest standard. Visitors are welcome to call to the studio and shop to watch individual pieces being made.

Drawing on inspiration from the surrounding landscape, Helen creates pieces that perfectly capture the essence of Ireland’s southwest coastal region. The Ocean Collection evolved from her connection with the ever-changing energy of the Atlantic Ocean. Discovering traces of ancient Irish woodlands in the immediate area inspired the Woodland Collection. Helen’s pottery is styled and decorated by hand with a range of natural forms and glazes.

“In my work I strive to make pieces that will be reached for and enjoyed every day for many many years”

Dunbeacon’s collections have evolved from simple natural shapes to a comprehensive array of shapes and patterns that fit into every home, offering a wide range of bowls, vases, jugs, mugs, butter dishes and many other unique gift items. The tabletop pottery is both practical, beautiful and dishwasher safe. Each piece is made by Helen with pride and care. The striking Water’s Edge is a new addition to the Dunbeacon Pottery collection.

Located in West Cork, 3 miles from the village of Durrus in the direction of Goleen we welcome visitors to come and browse the showroom and watch the making process. A visit to Europe’s most south-western pottery is a must when touring West Cork!

Location:	Durrus, Co. Cork
Opening Hours:	Open to visitors.
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 61036
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://dunbeaconpottery.com
	No
Google Maps:	Yes
Facebook:	Yes

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

Carraig Abhainn Gardens

January 4, 2014 by Dunmanus

Carraig Abhainn Gardens are the beautiful gardens in Durrus cultivated by Hazel and Eugene Wiseman.

Situated in Durrus on the Sheep’s Head peninsula at the top of Dunmanus Bay, Carraig Abhainn is a large garden [1 Hectare (2.5 acres)] bounded by a mill stream, giving this oasis a wonderful sense of peace and serenity.

The mature trees along the river bank and the waterfalls, together with the surrounding hills, give very welcome shelter and protection for the wide variety of tender plants that thrive here.

The garden consists of islands of trees and shrubs surrounded by grass, bark, and gravel paths and has four locally-built bridges crossing the mill stream.

Carraig Abhainn is part of the West Cork Garden Trail. Other wonderful gardens along the Sheep’s Head Way include those at the Heron Gallery and at Bantry House.

Location:	Durrus, Co. Cork. Next to Wiseman's shop.
Entrance Fee:	€5
Opening Hours:	1st March – 31st October , Mon – Sat 9.30am – 7.00pm, Sunday by appointment.
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 61070
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.carraigabhainngardens.com
	No
TripAdvisor Reviews	No
Google Maps:	No
Facebook:	Yes

Heron Gallery Café & Gardens

January 4, 2014 by Dunmanus

Heron Gallery showcases the work of Annabel Langrish, as well as a unique and unusual collection of objet d’art, prints and original artwork.

Annabel’s compelling paintings focus on the diversity of the wildlife that surrounds us here on the Sheep’s Head peninsula. Heron gallery’s gardens – designed with an artist’s eye – are a great spot to enjoy the gorgeous, wholesome local food you’ll find in the lovely café.

The café serves Fairtrade organic coffee and teas, delicious scones and cakes, and, in summer, simple, wholesome lunches using locally-sourced organic produce. There is a lovely sunny terrace for those precious sunny days and free Wi-Fi can be accessed both inside and outside.

Heron Gallery Gardens

Our garden is open from April to the end of August. Visitors to the gallery and café are welcome to wander around and, if we get advance notice, we can prepare a slow food picnic that you can bring with you.

The organic gardens are informal, with colourful flower beds radiating out from a pond and pergola. There is a wildlife pond and walk around a large pond surrounded by wildflower meadow and young woodland.

We have planted an orchard of Irish heritage apples and you can see our 2 polytunnels and raised vegetable beds. We try to grow all the salads and vegetables we use in the café.

A path takes you up to the natural ridge area where there is a great view down Dunmanus Bay.

All visitors’ donations go towards our garden project which is to construct Ireland’s first barefoot path. Slowly, we are developing our idea for a path where you take off your shoes and experience mindful walking and connection with the earth through walking slowly with bare feet on different surfaces.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Children must be accompanied.

While the Heron Gallery in Ahakista is closed in the winter, you can see and buy Annabel’s work online, and in her Schull, Kinsale and Kenmare stores.

Location:	Ahakista, Co. Cork. Take the right fork in Durrus towards Sheep's Head. After Arundel’s Bar, turn right. We are 300 metres up the hill on the left.
Opening Hours:	The gallery is open throughout the year, seven days a week. The garden is open every day 10.30am to 5.00pm from Easter to end of August.
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 67278
Email:
Website:	http://herongallery.ie
	No
TripAdvisor Reviews	Yes
Special Dietary Requirements:	Coeliac-friendly. Vegetarian options.
Google Maps:	No
Facebook:	Yes

Air India Disaster Memorial

January 4, 2014 by Dunmanus

At Ahakista, the Air India Disaster Memorial is the site of a memorial garden established in memory of the victims of the 1985 Air India disaster.

Air India Flight 182 was an Air India flight operating on the Montreal–London–Delhi route. On the 23rd June, 1985 the airplane operating on the route, a Boeing 747-237B, was blown up by a bomb at an altitude of 9,400m and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while in Irish airspace.

A total of 329 people were killed, including 280 Canadians, 27 British citizens and 22 Indians. The incident was the largest mass murder in modern Canadian history.

The memorial garden and sundial erected here in Ahakista mark the special relationships that have developed between the families and the local community in the intervening years. The sundial was sculpted by Cork sculptor Ken Thompson and was donated by the people of Canada, India and Ireland.

The memorial garden is the site of an annual commemorative event, when families from Canada, India and the UK gather with people from the Sheep’s Head peninsula and Bantry to remember those lost in the tragedy.

Cycle West Cork

Hire a bike from Cycle West Cork for a great day cycling the Sheep’s Head Way cycle route. Extended guided group cycle tours are also available.

Dunbeacon Pottery

Dunbeacon Pottery is created by Helen Ennis on the shores of Dunmanus Bay, inspired by West Cork’s land and seascapes

Bantry House and Gardens

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

Carraig Abhainn Gardens

Carraig Abhainn Gardens are the beautiful gardens in Durrus cultivated by Hazel and Eugene Wiseman.

Heron Gallery Café & Gardens

Heron Gallery showcases the work of Annabel Langrish, as well as a unique and unusual collection of objet d’art, prints and original artwork.

Heron Gallery Gardens

Air India Disaster Memorial

At Ahakista, the Air India Disaster Memorial is the site of a memorial garden established in memory of the victims of the 1985 Air India disaster.

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