West Cork in 2 days
Ireland's south-western corner, known for its food and its unspoilt coast: the footbridge at Mizen Head, the gardens of Bantry House, the sea lake of Lough Hyne and the Drombeg stone circle. Seafood, colourful villages and narrow lanes.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Mizen Headabout 1 h 30Ireland's most south-westerly point, where a footbridge crosses a sea gorge to the old signal station, now a small museum.
- Afternoon
Barleycove beachfree · half a dayA wide sandy beach backed by protected dunes near Mizen Head, reached across the estuary by a floating walkway.
Day 2
- Morning
Bantry House and Gardenabout 1 h 30An 18th-century house above Bantry Bay, with Italianate gardens and a long flight of steps up the hillside behind for the view.
- Afternoon
Lough Hynefree · 2 to 3 hA saltwater lake near Skibbereen fed by tidal rapids, Ireland's first marine nature reserve, known for kayaking and swimming.
- Late afternoon
Drombeg stone circlefree · about 30 minA circle of seventeen standing stones near Glandore, aligned with the winter solstice sunset, beside the remains of an ancient cooking pit.
Where to sleep in West Cork
- Westlodge Hotel · €95 a night
- Emmet Hotel · €100 a night
- West Cork Hotel · €110 a night
- Casey's of Baltimore · €150 a night
- Celtic Ross Hotel · €140 a night
- Glengarriff Park Hotel · €130 a night
- Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa · €250 a night
- Dunmore House Hotel · €220 a night
- Perryville House · €230 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.