Explore More:
Our Favourite
Local Experiences
Looking to head out for the day and explore the area? We’ve put together a few suggestions, some perfect for families and some ideal for couples or groups of friends. There is so much to choose from, you could easily do something new and different every day of your holidays. These are just a sample, feel free to ask us for more recommendations!
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Day 1: Clonakilty
Exploring our local town of Clonakilty is always a great way to get a sense of the place early in your visit. It is a vibrant historic market town, full of independent retailers and a dynamic arts, music and food scene. We have such a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions to keep young and old entertained, no matter what the weather. Here’s a selection:
Michael Collins, Irish patriot, revolutionary hero & “The Big Fella”
If you have an interest in the story of Irish Independence, then we recommend visiting the Michel Collins House, a museum located in the restored Georgian house on Emmet Square or the Michel Collins Centre in a restored farmhouse and buildings at Castleview, 10 minutes drive from Clonakilty.
CLONAKILTY DISTILLERY
Award winning Clonakilty Distillery is located in the heart of the town, easily identifiable by the three huge copper pot stills you can view through large windows. Take a guided tour, a tasting of their whiskey and gin or book a place in their Gin School where you can create your own unique bottle of gin to take home.
West Cork Model Railway Village
Always a popular with families visiting Clonakilty, the model railway village is a fully scaled model of the historic West Cork Railway line with miniature trains, boats, recognisable village buildings and figurines telling the story of life here in the 1940s. Included in the ticket price is a tour around Clonakilty town in a road train, loved by small (& not so small!) kids.
Clonakilty Blackpudding Visitor Centre
If the Ireland is the home of the Full Irish Breakfast, then Clonakilty is the home of some of the essential ingredients on that delicious plate. Recently opened, you can visit the home of one of Ireland’s most famous food brands and experience this Irish food story through an excellent self-guided tour.
Clonakilty Adventure Centre & Cinema
For the adventurous (and not so adventurous) you can enjoy the adrenaline rush of a high-ropes activity circuit, adventure golf and a cinema all in one location.
Clonakilty Famers Market Friday mornings
from 10am head in to Emmet Square in the centre of Clonakilty where you will find local producers, growers, craft makers as well as coffee and food stalls. Come away with the makings of a delicious lunch or supper to enjoy back at Dunowen House.
Day 2:
Baltimore & Sherkin Island
(1/2 day or full day trip)
The harbour village of Baltimore is 45 minutes drive from Dunowen, via Skibbereen and along the famed Wild Atlantic Way route. We recommend you park close to Baltimore centre then take the signposted coastal walk up to the iconic Baltimore Beacon. The beacon is located on high sea cliffs at the mouth of the harbour and offers absolutely stunning views of Sherkin and Cape Clear islands, across Roaring Water Bay to Mount Gabriel and inland to rolling hills of green.
Walk back to the village and stop for a fresh crab sandwich and a Guinness at Bushes Bar, watch yachts, dinghies and fishing boats come and go below you. Extend your day out by taking the 15 minute ferry ride across to Sherkin Island, where you will find an historic Franciscan Friary overlooking the pier, a choice of deserted and unspoilt beaches, quiet lanes and a slower pace of life. The Jolly Roger is a characterful island bar serving food and drink.
Check ferry times and Sherkin information on their own website www.sherkinisland.ie
Day 3:
Bantry, Glengarriff and
Garnish Island (full day trip)
First stop bustling Bantry town, the wide expanse of the beautiful Bantry Bay and the historic elegance of Bantry House & Gardens.
You could easily while away a few hours here, with tasty cafes, cake shops (The Stuffed Olive), a visit to Bantry House and a spot of craft shopping (Forest & Flock). Bantry.ie
Glengarriff is 20 minutes further along the coast, with stunning coastal scenery, woodlands, traditional Victorian feel and of course the famous 19th Century Italianate Gardens of Garnish Island (or Ilnacullin). We highly recommend the short ferry ride past curious seal colonies and birdlife to the sheltered island, its rare collection of plants, trees and historic buildings all beautifully maintained. If you don’t get out to Garnish, there’s still plenty to see including the Blue Pool inlet, Glengarriff Bamboo Park and the Glengariff Woods Nature Reserve. Glengariff.ie
Day 4:
Timoleague Abbey &
Courtmacsherry
A 20 minute drive east along the Wild Atlantic Way and you come to the historic towns of Timoleague and Courtmacherry. Timoleague gets its name originally from the Gaelic Tigh Molaga, meaning house of Molaga, who apparently brough beekeeping to the area in the 6th Century. The well preserved Friary was founded in 1240 and is really worth exploring. Take the flat coastal road towards Courtmacsherry, a small fishing town with picturesque walks, beautifully restored Georgian houses and a great little selection of bars and cafes serving delicious seafood and cakes.
"A Magical West Cork Escape"
We stayed at Dunowen House for a long weekend and genuinely didn’t want to leave. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the house and its surroundings – the views, the gardens, the quiet… it’s pure magic. The house itself is full of character and history but still feels incredibly cosy and luxurious.
We loved having our morning coffee overlooking the sea and strolling down to the nearby coves. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Clonakilty is only a few minutes away too, so we had some lovely meals out and picked up bits from the local markets.
Aisling & Dara,
Dublin
"A Dream Wedding Come to Life"
We were blown away with the unmatched beauty of Dunowen – the set- ting, the people and all the details make it come to life. We feel so blessed to have had our wedding here and so grateful for Kela and Stephen for making this the most special day of our lives. We are leaving a piece of our hearts here so we will absolutely have to come back again. All our love
Ben & Laura
"An Unforgettable Celebration of Love"
I could not have imagined a more beautiful stay and wedding. We took a chance and put our trust in Kela and Stephen, booking Dunowen sight un- seen! What a wonderful experience to celebrate our love with the people we care about most without having to worry about the details. The flow- ers, the food and the accommodations were unforgettable. Thank you for giving us the space to create lifetime memories! Dunowen will have a piece of our heart. We hope to come back and do it again!
Liz & Bobby
Oregon
"A Perfect Stay"
Kela and Stephen. Thank you for our wonderful stay at Dunowen House and letting us enjoy the beauty of West Cork in your wonderful home and surroundings. We absolutely loved it.
The O’Neill
Dublin
"Another Unforgettable Stay"
Thank you Kela & Stephen for another amazing stay. When you’ve stayed in Dunowen it’s impossible to stay elsewhere. Your house is per- fection!
Ray & Family
"A Perfect 70th Celebration"
Many thanks Kela and Stephen for a wonderful stay at Dunowen House. The house is so spacious, especially for our smallish family group who helped me celebrate my 70th birthday. Thanks for the beautiful flowers throughout and all the home baking. We loved the location.
The Praulins Group
"Surrounded by Dunowen’s Gardens and Coastal Beauty"
Thank you for a wonderful week. Everything was perfect and we loved being able to walk to the beach and sit in the beautiful gardens. Hope to come again.
The Barrats
Australia
"A Perfect 80th Birthday Celebration"
The end of a fabulous week celebrating my 80th birthday. It has been a brilliant stay with everything we needed. Just perfect. Thank you so much Kela & Stephen for your thought and kindness. All the best for the future and perhaps we will see you again!
Liz
The Ultimate 5-Star Escape
Bravo! You have created the perfect backdrop for a 5 star vacation. Our group of 18 could not have imagined a more comfortable and luxe week. I’ll see you on Instagram and we will all see you again in person next va- cation.
The Walshes
USA
