Activities and Accommodation in West Cork and Kerry

The Lee Valley is West Cork's best kept secret. Known as West Cork's lake district it abounds with mountains, lakes and rivers and a quiet rural landscape all of which are relatively unexplored by visitors. With the historic town of Macroom as its capital, this is Art O Laoghaire country, Sean O Riada country more info...

ATTRACTIONS

Prince August Toy Soldier Factory Shop Kilnamartyra

www.princeaugust.ie
www.edmancollection.com

T 026 40222 F 026 40004

Ireland’s only Toy Soldier Factory

No fake machinery, no fake actors, real people, it’s the real working factory. See the mould maker making the moulds, cast your own toy soldier, watch in amazement at the painters painting the miniature figurines. Experience our new water casting demonstrations. Tours given daily. Explore a dazzling array of toy soldiers, historical Irish figurines and middle earth fantasy figures.

you won’t want to leave

Macroom Bookshop

www.macroombookshop.com

T 026 41888

Books for every interest

Macroom Bookshop is a haven of relaxation and peace in a busy town. Here, browsing is welcomed, in fact encouraged. Space and light is paramount. There is plenty of access for buggies and a children’s reading area complete with mural and bean bags.

Younger customers can leaf through their particular favorites. A children's Saturday story time and adult bookclub is planned.

all reading interests are catered for

Traditional Music sessions and An Siopa

www.millsinn.ie

T 026 45237

Traditional music sessions in Baile Bhuirne (Ballyvourney)

Experience the real thing in traditional music sessions at the Mills Inn in Ballyvourney. Peadar O Riada, Connie O Conaill and Eibhlin de Paor are joined by a variety of musicians from the locality and nationwide.

An Siopa at the Mills Inn: Food & Wine Hall with a huge range of unique gifts.

The Mills Inn Pub/Restaurant
Serving award winning food all day.

traditional music at its best

Coolavokig Pottery

T 026 40172

www.coolavokigpottery.com

Coolavokig Pottery established in 1977 by Robb Bradstock and Meredith Flandreau, specialises in the production of high-quality, wood-fired stoneware pottery. Most of the work is wheel-thrown, and the domestic range combines practicality and function with aesthetically pleasing forms. There is also a new selection of individual wall pieces inspired by nature.
The effect of firing with wood gives the pottery a unique and distinctive quality. Each piece has an individuality due to its position in the kiln and the amount of wood-ash absorbed by the glazed or unglazed surface.
All work produced is only available through the retail shop at Coolavokig or at selected exhibitions. Coolavokig Pottery retail shop, located on the N22 between Ballyvourney and Macroom, is open throughout the year from 9am-8pm each day. Sale now on.
All pottery reduced by 10% to 20%.

ACTIVITIES

Denis Cronin - fly angling guide

M 086 1713909

Fly fishing in the Lee Valley

Learn the skills of fly angling in the beautiful scenic and peaceful surrounds of the Lee Valley. The Sullane, Foherish and Lee Rivers provide the perfect fly angling conditions. Get to know all the good spots and best techniques with an Irish champion at your side.

fly angling in beautiful surroundings

Lee Valley Walking

www.leevalleywalking.com

T 026 45642
M 087 2231225

Relaxed hill and low-level walking

Lee Valley Walking provides relaxed and informal guided walks and walking breaks in South West Ireland. Join us with the walking group or arrange a guided walk or walking break for the dates of your choice. Local knowledge and specialist information on environment, history, geography and archaeology. Walks in the Lee Valley, Macroom, Ballyvourney, Gougane Barra, the Múscraí Gaeltacht, West Cork and Kerry.

hill-walking for everyone

Carrig Waterski and Wakeboard centre

www.carrigwaterski.com

087 2311179 (Sean)
086 8594327 (Cormac)

Waterski and Wakeboard centre

Whether a complete beginner or an experienced tournament skier you will always find a welcome at Carrig Waterski and Wakeboard centre. Located in the picturesque Lee Valley, this hidden gem will truly give you an unforgettable experience and whatever level of ability, you are guaranteed a great day out.

We cater for skiers of all abilities and welcome participation from the public as well as members of the club. We offer an uninterrupted view of our lake for the observer where you can while away an afternoon even if not taking part.

Go on, give it a go.
You won't regret it.

ACCOMMODATION

Four Star Castle Hotel, Macroom

www.castlehotel.ie

T 026 41074
1850 924 123
F: 026 41505

Castle Hotel and Leisure Centre

Nestled between Blarney & Killarney, this Luxury Four Star Hotel in Macroom, Co. Cork is the ideal base from which to explore the scenic South West of Ireland. Enjoy luxury hotel accommodation, attentive friendly service & an award winning bar and restaurant.
As our guest you may enjoy use of our Leisure Centre, with 16m deck level pool, spa pool, kids pool, steam room and gym. Whether your stay at The Castle Hotel Macroom is with family, for business or pleasure, an intimate welcome awaits you at the Castle Hotel.

four star quality in a country town

Findus House Farmhouse Guesthouse

www.findushouse.ie

T 026 40023

Award-winning farmhouse guesthouse accommodation

Experience traditional Farmhouse accommodation, home baking, beautiful views, peaceful surrounds in a quiet and scenic country area. Experience the Irish rural countryside and the real on-farm experience.

traditional farmhouse experience

Gougane Barra Hotel

www.gouganebarrahotel.com

T 026 47069
F 026 47226

Set in the heart of West Cork in the South West of Ireland, Gougane Barra Hotel sits on the edge of the lake surrounded by forest and beautiful scenery. Your hosts, Neil and Katy Lucey offer family run 3 star accommodation and an award winning restaurant with traditional Irish hospitality.

Gougane Barra is a peaceful, romantic wedding setting with St. Finbar's church on the lake edge and its own National Forest Park. This is a popular place for walking, hiking and cycling holidays, or anyone looking for peaceful relaxation amongst stunning scenery. It is also an ideal location for touring Cork/Kerry.

Oriel House Hotel

www.orielhousehotel.ie

T 021 4208400
F 021 4875880

E: info@orielhousehotel.ie

Located in Ballincollig, on the west side of Cork city, the Oriel House Hotel is within close proximity of Cork Airport, Blarney and the gateway to explore Co Kerry.
This amazing property offers a unique mix of old and new. On arrival you immediately step into the warmest of welcomes which allows you to lose yourself from everyday life. Here, splendour and elegance are woven into the smallest details, promising perfect moments no matter how you choose to spend your time.
Relax in luxurious four star accommodation, dine in our award winning Orgialla Restaurant or meet friends and locals in the Powderkeg Bar, enjoy a work out or revitalizing swim in our leisure club or pass the time pampering yourself in our new Oriel bijoux spa.
The Oriel House Hotel is luxury and relaxation, pure and simple and you will depart from this 4 star deluxe experience with nothing more than a desire to return.

Tir na Spideoga Fishing Lodge

www.euroka.com/spideoga

T 026 47151
E irishpike@gmail.com

Tir na Spideoga Fishing lodge
Tir na Spideoga, the "Land of the Robins", is situated on the shores of Lough Allua on the edge of the Gaeltacht, halfway between the villages of Ballingeary and Inchigeelagh.
The farmhouse and thatched cottages stand on 3 acres of great natural beauty, a wonderland of lakes and mountains. It is ideally positioned as a starting-point for touring the South-West. As a fishing-lodge, we offer game and coarse fishing, boat & tackle hire and guiding. We organize deepsea angling trips for our guests. You may hire canoes and cycles or get a different view of the magnificent landscape on the back of our horses.

SERVICES

C&H Cab and Mini-bus hire

Contact:
Chriostoir Desmond

T 086 8364061

C&H Cab and Mini-bus hire

Our fleet consists of a 12 seater, two 14 seaters and a 33 seater. Our service includes train station, airports, greyhound/horse racing, hen or stag parties (day trips or overnight), discos, cinema, weddings, school trips/outings and events of all kinds.

No job too big - No job too small!

Please give us a ring for a quote!

THE LEE VALLEY

The Lee Valley
Geographically, the area that has become known as the Lee Valley comprises the catchment area of the River Lee, incorporating within its borders the distinct valleys of its major tributaries including the Sullane, Foherish, Laney and others.

The Lee rises in the hills above Gougane Barra, the spot that St Finbarr chose for his 7th century hermitage which today remains a centre of pilgrimage. After many riverine adventures the Lee joins the sea below Cork City which was also founded by the Saint. The journey of the river mimics the saints own life-journey from a hermetic and idyllic setting among the Shehy Mountains - one of the most spectacularly beautiful settings in Ireland - to the busy, people centred city of Cork, also known as the ‘real capital’ of Ireland.

The upper Lee Valley is encircled by the Shehy (Carran 567m), Derrynasaggart (Paps 694m) and Boggeragh Mountains (Mushersmore 644m) and the glaciated valley displays a range of geographic features and their consequently beautiful landscapes.

Travelling downstream on the Lee, we meet Ballingeary (Beal Atha an Ghaorthaidh) in the parish of Uibh Laoire, also containing the villages of Inchigeelagh, Kilbarry and Toonsbridge. This is the Lee Valley’s Lake district, with four miles of unspoilt lake and mountain scenery.

Kilmichael famed in song and in story also lies downstream on the Lee and the events surrounding the historic 1921 ambush still remain controversial today.

Downstream of Toonsbridge the Lee transforms itself into the extensive alluvial forest of the Gearagh - the only one west of the Rhine. The network of narrow channels demarcate islands growing oak, ash birch and willow. The Gearagh is a world heritage Ramsar site and is protected under both Irish and European environmental law.

Further downstream again, the river forms the Carrigadrohid and Inniscarra reservoirs set in rich rolling countryside.

The Múscraí Gaeltacht
Within the Lee Valley catchment lies the culturally distinct are of the Múscraí Gaeltacht one of the few remaining Irish speaking areas in Ireland. Here you will find the villages of Baile Bhúirne (Ballyvourney), Baile Mhic Íre (Ballymakeera) and Cúil Áodha (Coolea) on the river Sullane, Beál Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary) and Guagán Barra (Gougane Barra) on the river Lee and the villages of Reidh na nDoirí (Renaniree) and Cill na Martra (Kilnamartra) astride the ridge that forms a watershed between the two valleys.

The way-marked-way the Beara Breifne Way traverses this region from Gougane Barra and Ballingeary to Ballyvourney and onwards north to Millstreet taking in some of the most unspoilt and varied countryside en route. The Múscraí Gaeltacht is the only Irish speaking area on the entire route lending particular importance to this section.

It was in Cúil Áodha that Sean Ó Riada lived and worked composing some of the most memorable Irish music of the twentieth century.

Macroom
Macroom which lies on the Sullane River is the main market and economic centre of the region. It boasts a wonderful traditional market square and the remains of Macroom Castle and its demesne which, bequeathed to the townspeople forms a centrepiece to the town. Tuesday is the main market day with a second on Saturday when the livestock mart also takes place. Bealick Mill, which historically powered Macroom as the first town to have electric street-lighting in Ireland has been restored and is open to the public during the summer months. The town also boasts a thriving E Park which promotes environmentally freindly practice in business.

To the north of the town lie two regions in which the local heritage has been particularly well-preserved; Carriganima and Aghinagh which lie in the Foherish and Laney valleys respectively. Both have way-marked trails with excellently preserved examples of archaeological and historical sites.

The Lee Valley is ideally situated as a base to explore further west in Cork and Kerry while still having access to the cultural life of the 'real' capital.

Useful links

Local weather www.ireland.com/weather/cities/cork.htm

TRAVEL

Information on train timetables www.irishrail.ie
Information on bus timetables www.buseireann.ie
Flights to Cork www.corkairport.com