Mizen Head, Ballydehob and Bantry House
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Mizen Head
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| Looking into Dunlough Bay from one of the viewing points in Mizen. |
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| The Head itself |
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| The bridge you pass over as you walk to the lighthouse. |
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| A full Irish, well almost. Hasn't been touched by the lighthouse keeper. It has been on the table in front of him for decades! |
Opening times for the summer are 10.00am to 6.00pm - there are no online tickets. To find out more about this spectacular place, click on the website here. Plenty of free parking but there is a reasonable admission fee to get onto the head itself and to the various interesting exhibitions that tell of the history of the place and surroundings and much more. You also have toilets in the visitor centre along with a café.
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Also on this trip:
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Ballydehob |
| The 12-arch Ballydehob Viaduct was built in 1886 and is still intact and safe. The narrow-gauge railway line would link the isolated, rural communities of West Cork with the market town of Skibbereen and the port of Schull. It was closed in 1953. A public walking trail (highly recommended), with scenic views of the local estuary and beyond, incorporates the viaduct. We came on an excellent day and enjoyed the walk and the views, not to mention a lunchtime snack at Béal Blásta in the centre of the village. |
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| Lunchtime treat at Béal Blásta, Ballydehob: Toffee and Nut Cake |
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| Bantry House and Gardens. No photos allowed inside the house. |
Bantry House and Garden is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay in Cork, in the south west of Ireland. The House has been in the family, the Whites, since 1739 and was opened to the public in 1946. They offer Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the East Wing. There is an important private collection of furniture and objects of art.
The Estate is a popular wedding and events venue, visitors can explore the formal garden, visit the House and Tearoom, book Afternoon Tea in the Library and stay in the East Wing. The Estate is unique since it is still lived in and managed by the family. To read more, including opening times and events schedule, click here Bantry House.
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| The house, from the top of the 100 steps, with Bantry Bay in the background. The steps are closed at present but there is an unsigned "walkaround". A sign or two would be helpful. It is worth getting up there as the view to Bantry Bay is amazing. |
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| Corner of the gardens at Bantry House. |
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