The Day we Toured West Cork

 A day tour seemed like a good solution to fit in some more Cork scenery in our last few days here. We selected one that covered Bantry and Clonakilty, both places that had been recommended to us, but it would have had to be one or the other if we were relying on public transport.  

The trusty Brian collected us at 8am and dropped us at the designated meeting point in St Patrick’s Quay. We were very early, as is our habit, but the Cronin’s tour bus arrived at 8:45 and the 13 passengers quickly boarded. It was looking like a pleasant day weather-wise. 

Our first stop was the tranquil Gougane Barra, site of an Oratory and  Church originally established by St Finnbar. 







The beautiful spot, ringed by the Shehy Mountains, is also the source of the River Lee which runs into the sea at Cork City. It was easy to see why the saint chose this peaceful place to establish a place of worship and monastery. 

Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, we had a brief time to explore Bantry (Beanntrai), a much more commercialised harbour town than attractive and quirky Kinsale. We were very pleased that we chose Kinsale for our day trip yesterday. 



We were entertained in Bantry by a gathering in the town square to celebrate the local participants in the Special Olympics, and treated to a parade consisting of one van load of participants led by a fire truck and followed by the Garda, both with lights and sirens blaring. 

Our next stop was Mizen Head, the most southwesterly point in Ireland, marked with an early 20th century signal station and amazing bridge crossing the wild cliffs and swirling Atlantic Ocean far below. 

We ate lunch in the cafe while we waited hopefully for the pesky Irish sea mist to disperse. It swirled and cleared and returned but we could at least see the cliffs and glimpse views of the distant Fastnet Lighthouse.  









Back on board the coach promptly at 2:30 we journeyed through a now bright sunny afternoon to our final stop for the day Clonakilty. 

Another colourful town with a lively main street, our half hour in Clonakilty only allowed us to wander up one side of main street and down the other, snatch a quick view of the Michael Collins statue and the outside of the museum which honours him, as he was born here and murdered near here. 




Our driver, Kevin, provided a good mix of commentary and Irish music interludes during the drive and after a very pleasant day, we returned to Cork City by 6pm. 

Following Kevin’s recommendation we walked back into the city and down Washington street to Dwyers pub for great food and live Irish music, to top off a great day. 

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