Being part of the Wild Atlantic Way there is no shortage of visitors to Clonakilty.
The locals are very proud of their town having won the tidiest town in Ireland award in the past and are continuing to win the Cork county award each year since. Also Clonakilty is a past winner of the Entente Florale European competition.
The beginning of the busy season usually starts off with the International West Cork Rally which is held each year in March, on the closest weekend to St Patricks Day.
Clonakilty is well known for its many music pubs with the famous De Barra’s on Pearse Street in the centre of the town. Also Clonakilty is also home to several well-known wedding venues with couples coming from all over Ireland and abroad to tie the knot. These include Dunmore House Hotel, Fernhill House Hotel and Inchydoney Lodge and Spa.
Clonakilty and District
There is no shortage of things to do in the town and surrounding areas:
- Surfing and water Activities on Inchydonny Beach
- Shore and Boat fishing or whale watching from Courtmacsherry or Baltimore Harbour
- Golfing at Clonakilty Golf Club
- Two magnificent pitch and putt courses at The Warren Rosscarbery
- Bird watching in the bay
- Horse riding at Kingston’s riding school, Killgarriffe and also Clonakilty Equestrian centre
- Crazy golf and Clonakilty Adventure Centre with climbing wall, zip line and Ariel trekking high ropes
- Check out Smugglers Cove for a day of excitement for all the family with a driving range, Irelands first tubing park and largest inflatable obstacle course, mazes and crazy golf
- Inflatable Water Park, and other water activities like kayaking and pedal boats on the lagoon in Rosscarbery
- Tennis courts and all weather pitch’s and basketball courts available in the town
There are many walks and cycling routes. Forest walks in Castlefreake, A cliff walk from the Warren beach to Owenahincha. Seaside path from Timoleague to Courtmacsherry or for the less active, a stroll on the Joe Walsh greenway walk at Gullane Lake.
Visit the Michael Collins House Museum which also has a section on the Irish patriot O’ Donovan Rossa.
There is also the Michael Collins visitor centre. They have a fantastic slide show as well as many historical pieces. There is also a replica of the Beal Na Blath ambush site including armoured cars etc.
Don’t forget to call to The West Cork Model Railway Village which will take you back in time to 1940 West Cork, and take a trip on the road train to view the town.
Visit the famous Clonakilty black pudding visitor centre and there’s also the Clonakilty Distillery tour and tasting visitor centre
For the garden enthusiasts the are the beautiful Glenview Gardens and Lissalane gardens
Many historical sites such as Timoleague Abbey and Droumbeg Stone circle. Also there is the Skibbereen Heritage centre.
Clonakilty and District
Clonakilty is known as the beach centre of West Cork and whatever your interest you are certain to find plenty to do. It is also the ideal base for touring all of West Cork and Kerry.
