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Things To Do
With a maze of minor roads and pathways there are many enjoyable walks and cycling routes for all the family. Detailed guides and maps are available for those interested in casual and carefree walks and cycle tours.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES There are 2 Walks recognised by the National Waymarked Ways Committee in the Bantry area, namely Sheep's Head Way and Beara Way. The Sheep's Head Way is an 88km route which circles the whole of the Sheep's Head from Bantry to Sheep's Head at the end of the peninsula and back through Kilcrohane, Ahakista and Durrus. This Walk was recognised in 1997 as ''The Best Walk in Ireland' by the magazine "Walking World Ireland". The Walking is mostly off road across open hillside and is well marked by oak posts and carved stone markers. There are also five Loop Walks which run north/south and can be used to lengthen or shorten the days' walking. The guide book and map of the Sheep's Head Way is available at the Tourist Office and local shops. The Beara Way is about 165km stretching from Kenmare to Glengarriff, west to Dursey and back to Kenmare on the north side of the peninsula. There are numerous loops for those who just want a short circular walk in scenic surroundings.
Bantry Bay Golf Club, 2km from Bantry on the N71 to Glengarriff is a demanding 18 hole course, designed by Christy O'Connor, Jnr. (Length 5910m. Par 71). Near-by is a Pitch & Putt Course. There are 3 more 18 hole courses within a 20 mile radius and 9 hole golf courses at Glengarriff & Castletownbere. For golf enthusiasts there is an 18 hole golf course at Bantry;
a demanding 9 hole course in Glengarriff; and three more 18 hole
courses within a 20 mile radius.
Shore fishing has become very popular in the area due to the large
variety of fish being caught - conger eels, brown dogfish, spotted
dogfish, cod, pollock, ray, skate, ling, and other varieties.For
those interested in sea angling boats are available for daily hire.
For more information see www.swrfb.com
Boating and Sailing
For those interested in sailing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking
there is a safe anchorage and harbour facilities i.e. slipways for
launching boats and yachts. For more information see www.seakayakingwestcork.com And after all that ...
The Bantry Bay area is rich in sites of historical and archeological interest, from wedge tombs, which are thousands of years old, to those of more recet origin. The area is dotted with stone circles, alignments and galluns. The Kilnaruane Pillar Stone, The Kealkil Stone Circle, the Breenymore Megalithes and the Ahakista Stone Circle being the more accessible near Bantry. Detailed leaflets and maps are available at Bantry Tourist Information Office or Bookstores.
The host or hostess in a place of accommodation will inform the visitor as to the locations of evening entertainment. As darkness does not fall until at least 10pm during the summer months night entertainment does not usually begin until 10pm. Then there is a choice of classical music (at Bantry House), modern, Irish, disco etc. With approximately 20 pubs and lounge bars the choice is up to the visitor. The local pub culture is still strong in the locality and the best places are known by your host - just ask anybody. The people of this region are the most friendly in the whole of Ireland.
The greater Bantry region has accommodation for approximately 2,500 visitors. There are 6 major hotels, 6 family run small hotels, inns, lodges, plus a large number of private approved guesthouses which can accommodate from 4 to 25 people. Two of the hotels, namely, The West Lodge, Bantry and the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff, cater for large groups and bus tours. In Bantry town the Bantry Bay Hotel caters for smaller groups including lunches for passing tours. There are five hostels in the area as well as an award winning camping site by the sea. With food in mind there is a selection of restaurants to suit every pocket from gourmet to fish and chips outlets. Different tastes catered for include seafood, vegetarian, French, Italian, Oriental and the best of local cooking.
© Bantry Tourism Association 2002
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