Places To See In West Cork/Wild Atlantic Way

Bantry Market

Bantry Market is held Every Friday in Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry, 9:30 AM – 1 PM

A treasure trove of stalls offering everything from organic fruit & veg, food, home baking, cheese, fish, meats, olives, eggs, honey, preserves, plants, local crafts, pet supplies, bric-á-brac to collectibles.  Bantry Market is the largest market in Cork County and it occupies the central town square, spilling out into the adjoining roads and car parks. The largest Bantry Market is held on the first Friday of every month, what was traditionally known as ‘Fair Day’. Very often, you will still see small animals and poultry for sale at this market or even donkeys tethered to lampposts. A great opportunity to sit to have a take-away lunch from the many fresh food stalls and people watch.

Whiddy Island

Whiddy Island is a small island of just 3.5 miles in length by 1.5 miles wide and is a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point. It lies in Bantry Bay, County Cork between the Beara and Mizen Peninsulas. The harbour is one of the world’s best deep-water harbours making Whiddy Island an ideal location for its fuel storage facility. The island is accessed by ferry from Bantry Pier. Whiddy Island is a bird watchers paradise and popular with walkers, sailors and sea sports enthusiasts. Timetables for the ferry vary depending on time of the year.

Bantry House

The beautiful Bantry House and Gardens. Enjoy a walk through the incredible gardens. Take in the History and stunning scenic views. In the house enjoy the works of art and exhibits on display. Great place to learn about the history of Bantry. The House is closed for maintenance throughout the winter months but the gardens are accessible with a season pass all year round.

Mizen Head

Mizen head, Irelands most southerly point. Mizen Head is one of the most spectacular headlands on Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard. Standing on Mizen, surrounded by the pounding waves, it’s impossible not to feel humbled by the raw power of nature. Here you can find some nice walks, A beautiful visitor centre and visit the Mizen head signal station. Fun for all the family! Mizen Head is open 11am- 4pm on Weekends November-March

Sheep’s Head Walk/Lighthouse

The Sheep’s Head Way, located along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, the loop focuses on the famous Sheep’s Head peninsula in West Cork between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay.

People can choose from one of the 25 walks available. A lovely day out for when the rain stops

Dursey Island

Enjoy a trip on Ireland’s only Cable Car! A little over an hour’s drive from the hotel is the cable car which leads to Dursey Island. Take in the world-famous views of The Wild Atlantic Way and The Beara Peninsula along the way! ​26TH APRIL – 31st OCTOBER 09:30 – 19:30. 1st November – 28th February​ 9.30 – 16.30

Glengarriff Bamboo Park

This unique exotic garden is one of the most attractive and interesting places to see in Glengarriff. With the mild climate in the area, 30 different species of bamboo, along with tree-ferns, palms and hydrangeas, fuchsias, cosmos and 15 different species of eucalyptus thrive in the gardens.

Glengarriff Woods/Nature Reserve

The setting of Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve is spectacular, with the woods nestled in the sheltered glen opening out into Glengarriff Harbour.  Above the woods rise the Caha Mountains, with their dramatic layers of sheer rock.

Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve covers some 300ha, with the dominant habitats being old oak woodland and young woodland which is regenerating in areas which have been cleared of non-native conifers over the last few years. The woods form one of the best examples of oceanic sessile oak woodland in Ireland, being rated at least as important as the Killarney oakwood’s.  The Nature Reserve is part of the much larger Glengarriff Harbour & Woodlands Special Area of Conservation

Garnish Island

The incredibly whimsical and tranquil gardens of Garnish Island in Cork are a popular place to head on the Beara Peninsula. The 37-acre island is located in the small harbour of Glengarriff.

Its famous gardens are what attracts the crowds, with a richness of plant variety and colours that change with the seasons. The Island is closed from November- March

Gougane Barra

Gougane Barra is an area of immense wild scenery and natural beauty that you’ll find tucked away on 137 acres at the edge of the Sheehy Mountains.

When you enter the park, you’re immediately taken back by the beauty of the rolling hills and the surrounding mountains that stand proudly over the chilly waters of the lake below.

Baltimore Beacon

Baltimore Beacon Located on the wild southwest coast of County Cork, you’ll find the beacon in Baltimore, roughly 40 minutes from The Maritime Hotel. This Beautiful Beacon provides us with some of the most spectacular views and is approachable by walkers of all calliper. By the 1840s, the lighthouse at Baltimore had been vandalized and fallen into disrepair. Because of its huge importance to fishermen and other sailors, it needed to be reinstated. By 1849 the 50ft high white Baltimore Beacon that we know and love today had been completed, with the small sphere at the top added at a later date

Old Head Of Kinsale

The beautiful Old Head of Kinsale. Enriched in Irish History the beauty of the Old Head has to be seen to be believed. This area has something for everyone with lovely beaches, scenic walks, pieces of Irish history including the old head castle. Learn more about the RMS Lusitania at the Lusitania Museum. Golf fans may recognise this area as home to the world-renowned Old Head Golf Links

This lovely area is located just 90 minutes from the hotel.

Cape Clear/Fastnet Rock

Cape Clear, Ireland’s southernmost inhabited Gaeltacht Island, 3 miles long by 1 mile wide, lies 8 miles off the coast of West Cork. 3 miles west of the island stands the solitary Fastnet Rock.  Saint Ciarán, the island’s patron saint, allegedly the earliest of Ireland’s four pre-Patrician saints, was born on Cape Clear.

Lough Hyne

Climb to the top of the hill to see this beautiful lake and the wonderful scenery surrounding it at the summit ???? the lake is also a popular destination for people who like kayaking and swimming and hosts a fascinating moonlight/starlight kayaking experience!

Ballycotton Cliff Walk

The Atlantic Coastal path from Ballycotton to Ballytrasna and on to Ballyandreen is part of the East Cork way. It is known as The Ballycotton Cliff Walk This beautiful cliff walk is rich in wildlife.

Bullrock

Although you can’t get onto the island itself, you’ll get to have a spin around it on the different tours and you’ll also go through the hole in the centre. You’ll also see Bull Rock Lighthouse and discover the story behind the mysterious little island.

If you’re in/visiting Cork, Dursey Boat Trips are the go-to for getting to Bull Island. On the tour, you’ll spin around Dursey Island, Calf Rock, Elephant Rock and, of course, Bull Rock.

Ring Of Beara Drive

The stunning Beara Peninsula is home to raw, unspoiled scenery and the type of landscape that’ll delight you for the entirety of your visit. This route around the beautiful Beara Peninsula stretches 137km and takes around 2 hours to drive in total.

However, the beauty of the Beara Peninsula is that there tends to be something to discover down many of the little side roads, so allow plenty of time for discovering hidden gems.