If you're planning your Irish holiday or weekend away, why not explore Ireland's history and heritage. The towns and villages of West Cork all have their own unique story to tell, and our Historic Towns walking trails (downloadable below) give you the chance to learn more about those stories for yourself - and of course to enjoy everything our modern towns have to offer.
Bantry
This town is the gateway to Ireland’s mountainous south-west and it sits comfortably in the shelter of wooded hills at the head of Bantry Bay where it is bathed in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
Clonakilty
The town was laid out in 1614 by the 1st Earl of Cork. Clonakilty became notorious during the devastating 1847 famine, when many people came there in search of food. Today it is a lively market town.
Kinsale
Originally a Medieval fishing port, Kinsale was the site of a battle in 1601. It sits at the mouth of the River Bandon. For over 300 years it was a garrison town and port of consequence, leaving a legacy of Georgian and Victorian architecture.