South West (Cork)

The relentless battering of the Atlantic Ocean over millennium has left splinters of Islands along, Cork’s South West coast, which have nurtured resilient Gaeltacht cultures and rich ecosystems.

In Roaring Water Bay, alone, there are 100 islands, clear from its other name of Roscarbery’s 100 Isles. Further along the jagged coast is Bantry Bay and its spectacular islands that guard one of the deepest water harbours in Europe.

This part of the Irish coast is renowned as some of the best cruising waters in Europe and even if you don’t have your own yacht you can still explore these fascinating islands. Reaching the Islands is an adventure in itself: the sail to Cape Clear in the ferry boat as it weaves its way through Carbery’s 100 Isles or the swinging ride in Ireland’s only cable car across the 250m high Dursey Sound, are but two ways to leave the mainland behind.

Spot rare migratory birds, whales, dolphins and sharks from the Islands shores or in a sea kayak, eat in one of the finest restaurants in Ireland stranded on the beautiful Heir Island, roam the ruins of a 15th century Franciscan abbey, explore Bronze Age remains, visit a garden Island of rare beauty, listen to music in the Island pubs or simply stroll through heather, gorse and wild flowers which climb amongst the dry stone walls that weave over the island’s rugged hills.
Those Islands that are still inhabited are home to artists, musicians and ecologists; those that are not have an air of wild romantic solitude.