The Sheep’s Head peninsula has been named as ‘Destination of the Year’ by the prestigious John and Sally McKenna Guides
The McKennas – authors of the hugely successful Where to Eat and Stay along the Wild Atlantic Way – have established themselves as experts on the food and experiences on offer along the Wild Atlantic Way touring route.
Their passion for fantastic local food, convivial company, and dramatic landscapes has made their guides a great source of information for anyone planning a holiday in Ireland, and their coveted plaques mark out the very best places to experience Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
For 2015, the McKenna’s have singled out the Sheep’s Head peninsula as a must-see destination for the discerning traveller keen to discover the real Ireland. They praise the great food on offer along the Sheep’s Head Way, as well as the quality of the Sheep’s Head as a destination for visitors looking to enjoy activity tourism.
“With a clutch of excellent places to stay and eat, the Sheep’s Head is recognised as a great destination that offers unparalleled walking experiences,” explain the McKennas.
The Sheep’s Head – recognised as a European Destination of Excellence for Sustainable Tourism in 2009 – is home to a world-renowned 88km coastal walking route, and walkers, sailors and cyclists are drawn to this genuinely unspoilt and peaceful peninsula which sits between its better-known neighbours – the Mizen and the Beara peninsulas – offering fantastic views over Dunmanus and Bantry Bays as well as the West Cork islands.
The Sheep’s Head has developed a great reputation with foodies who are drawn to the area by local delicacies like Durrus Cheese, Bantry Bay mussels, and Glenilen butters and yoghurts.
Stand-out restaurants like Good Things Café and Blairscove House are also drawing visitors to the area, with Blairscove securing Georgina Campbell’s award for Outstanding Visitor Experience in 2014. The growth in tourism ha also seen new projects developing, and 2014 saw the rebirth of Kilcrohane Creamery as a home to a restauraunt focused on local food, and home to the Sheep’s Head Producers’ market and shop.
“The award is a great tribute to the community here, and to the thoughtful way tourism has been developed in our area”, says Siobhán Burke of the Sheep’s Head & Bantry Tourism Co-operative. “The businesses along the Sheep’s Head Way are working together to create fantastic experiences for visitors, while preserving the wonderful environment we’re blessed with and sharing it in imaginative ways. It’s wonderful to see that those efforts are being rewarded.”
“The Wild Atlantic Way has been a welcome boost, helping to draw visitors out to areas like ours,” agrees John Tobin, chair of the local tourism co-op. “An award like this shows that communities along the Western seaboard benefit from that boost most when they celebrate what makes them unique.”
Plan your stay along the Sheep’s Head Way at https://livingthesheepsheadway.com
