It’s no wonder they call West Cork “A Place Apart”. Nature sets the pace in this beautiful south-west corner of Ireland – stretching from smart south-coast Kinsale to three rugged westerly peninsulas reaching into the wild Atlantic: Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head and Beara. With so much on offer, we believe you won’t find a better place in Ireland to enjoy your cycling holiday.

West Cork is the place many with busy lifestyles head for – leaving their hurried city lives behind to cycle along the long zig-zagging coastline, or ride through peaceful inland woods and valleys.

Hundreds of inlets, tiny coves, safe harbours and beaches are just right for long active days in the salty air. There are many activities that will tempt you along your way, such as learning to sail, surfing, diving, whale watching, island-hopping, bird spotting, kayaking on a salt-water lake in the moonlight, messing about in boats, or simply park up your bikes and tuck into a delicious fresh crab sandwich on any West Cork quayside.

Thanks to its gentle and generous nature, this corner has a wonderful food culture. West Cork’s farmers, award-winning artisan producers and chefs are leading Ireland’s culinary revolution. From traditional pubs to world-class restaurants, at local farmers’ markets, and long-established food festivals, you’ll be spoiled for choice for places to stop and enjoy great food right across West Cork.

There’s something restorative about the temperate climate and sub-tropical gardens, the tranquil lanes thick with fuchsia and montbretia, the sudden glimpses of water through the trees, the shifting light, and the soft greens, greys and violets of bays and distant mountains.

There’s edge-of-the-world drama too: climbing up to a mountain pass through ever-changing weather, crossing the bridge to the end of Mizen Head with the Atlantic crashing below, or taking the cable car to Dursey Island – one of over a hundred West Cork islands. Seven of these are inhabited, including Ireland’s most southerly community on Oiléan Chléire (Cape Clear) “the storytellers’ island”, where Irish is spoken as a first language, and there’s an independent way of life.

Beyond Cape Clear, the imposing Fastnet Lighthouse stands on a rock known as Ireland’s tear drop – for emigrants to the new world, this was their last sight of their native land. The whole coast echoes with history – ancient sites, ruined castles, coastal forts, copper mines. Cork is proudly ‘the rebel county’ and it was here, at Clonakilty, that Michael Collins – ‘the Big Fella’ – was brought up. He died at Béal na mBláth.

West Cork is both very Irish, and quite cosmopolitan – for many have ‘blown-in’ on the winds and stayed to make this beautiful place their home. There’s a strong creative community here. Arts and crafts, storytelling and traditional music thrive – as do scores of cultural festivals.

People here value the good things in life. It feels warm-hearted and kind. It’s a place that takes its time and helps us to slow down… It’s A Place Apart.

View our West Cork Gallery

Source for original text – Discover Ireland