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Amenities
Durrus is located at the gateway to the Mizen & Sheep‘s Head Peninsulas stunning West Cork....Enjoy a holiday on Sheep’s Head – it is a peaceful, unspoilt peninsula which has some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Ireland. Because of the proximity to the Gulf Stream, the area also has perhaps the mildest climate in Ireland – the daffodils are usually out in January!
The Sheep’s Head Peninsula is famous for its Award Winning walking route ‘The Sheep’s Head Way‘, which runs from Bantry to the Beacon at the end of this rugged, beautiful, un-spoilt Peninsula . Ireland’s first official way marked cycle route The Sheep’s Head Cycle Route also runs through the village starting East of Ballydehob and running North to Ballylickey where it joins the Beara Cycle Route. The peninsulas other villages Ahakista and Kilcrohane are a short drive away along the Southern shore. Peace and quiet prevail with no sign of traffic jams!
The renowned holiday village of Schull is only a 20 minute drive away by car over a scenic mountain pass. Further down the Mizen are the villages of Goleen and Crookhaven, a bustling hive of activity in the Summer months with the beautiful sandy expanses of Barley Cove, a magnet to Surfers all year around.
This whole area is lapped by the Gulf Stream giving a very temperate climate producing a diversification of plant life unrivalled anywhere in Northern Europe.
Bantry town is minutes away where you will find everything you need, along with its Multi Screen Cinema, Leisure Centre, Bantry House & Gardens and an 18 Hole Championship Golf Course designed by Christy O’Connor Junior. Cork Airport, the City and Ferry Port are about an hour or so away by car, giving great access to the rest of the country and beyond.
To the North Glengarriff with its Nature Reserve, Italian Gardens on the beautiful Garnish Island is on route to the Beara Peninsula with its the rugged shoreline, or to Kenmare and on to Killarney via the Ring of Kerry.
Food and Drink
You will find a fantastic selection of local food in the area, from the Farmer’s Markets in Schull and Skibbereen to the famous Bantry Fayre. The local restaurants are also famous for the warm welcome and delicious artisan foods.
Activities
You will find something for all the family in the area – whether you want the thrill of surfing or the calm of watching the sun set over the Atlantic, the Sheep’s Head has it all.
Cycling
The quiet roads in the area are a joy for cyclists. There is also a cycle route that starts at Ballylickey and ends in Roaringwater Bay, near Ballydehob. It is 120km long. The sign posted route travels down the northern side of Sheep’s Head Peninsula, then returns to Durrus. Turn right in Durrus and ride on to Ballydehob. See the leaflet which is available at local shops & Failté Tourist Information Offices.
Walking
Walk the Sheep’s Head Way, winner of a Waterford Crystal Walker Award. Chosen as the best walk in Ireland by Country Walking magazine, this 55 mile long distance walk has a huge variety of terrain all with beautiful views and there are many long and short loop walks available.
Short, sweet and scenic, this (The Sheep’s Head Way) must be the best in Ireland. It takes in a superb moorland crest and rugged cliffs as well as easy lowland terrain”, Country Walking.
Driving
There is a magnificent “ring” drive starting outside Bantry along the Goats Path to Kilcrohane, back then through Ahakista (stop off at beautiful Air India Memorial), then onto Durrus. Contrast the sheer cliffs and stark beauty of the north side (the sunsets are incredible) with the more lush south side where the road runs right alongside Dunbeacon.
