Nestled in the heart of beautiful West Cork is the picturesque town of Rosscarbery. With so much to see and so many things to do, Rosscarbery is at the centre of unlimited year-round activities and events. Here is a list of fun attractions that Rosscarbery can offer the holiday-maker and local alike:
BeachesRosscarbery has a well-deserved reputation for some of the most stunning beaches in Ireland. There are two golden sandy blue flag beaches on its doorstep: the Warren Strand and Owenahincha. The beaches are lifeguard patrolled and are popular among bathers, sunbathers, surfers, kite flyers and walkers. The Warren is the closest to Rosscarbery town, just a two minute drive. Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt course is located in its dunes, as are tennis courts. The surrounding area has been designated a Natural Heritage Area and is a great spot for bird and wildlife watching. Owenahincha and Long Strand are both located within a five minute drive of Rosscarbery. Owenahincha, with its breathtaking views of the West Cork coastline, has long been a buzzing holiday hotspot! The mile and half of sand at Long Strand is a favourite with walkers and dogs but beware swimming is not recommended! Take the time to explore dozens of other little coves and secret inlets dotted along the Rosscarbery coastline! Click here to learn more about Rosscarbery’s beaches.
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Drombeg Stone Circle
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Make a break for this world-famous Bronze Age site! Originally Drombeg Stone Circle comprised 17 huge standing stones but two are now missing. This prehistoric ritual site was excavated by archaeologists in the 1950s. Read the storyboards there and learn for yourself all about this ancient stone circle, nearby hut site and fulacht fiadh (possibly a cooking site). Can you spot the cup-marks or any other carvings on the stones? With its massive megaliths Drombeg is among the most-visited megalithic tombs in Europe and when better to visit than on the Winter Solstice (December 21st). On this day, every year, at sunset the sun shines through a notch in the distant hills onto the middle of the low recumbent stone and through the portal (or entrance) stones opposite. Don’t expect a precise alignment or you may come away feeling a little disappointed and be warned that a cloudy day can obscure views! Free entry and free public parking. Drombeg Stone Circle is a six minute drive west of Rosscarbery. Just north of Rosscarbery, two other impressive stones circles are located at Bohonagh and Reenascreena.
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The Michael Collins Trail
Why not visit the birthplace of the famous Irish revolutionary leader, Michael Collins? Collins was born about 8km northeast of Rosscarbery in a farmhouse in Woodfield in 1890. At the Michael Collins Memorial Centre in Woodfield see the original dwelling of eight generations of the Collins’ family. Foundations of the house later occupied by him and his family also survive despite being burnt by the British Army in 1921. After a trip to Woodfield, be sure to visit the Four Alls’ tavern at Sam’s Cross. A regular watering hole of Michael Collins, on the day he was shot he bought a round of pints here for his soldiers! His mother was born in the house opposite the pub and in the house next door to that Collins met family members for the last time the day he died. While you’re in Sam’s Cross check out the Michael Collins monument which was unveiled by local man Tom Barry: another prominent guerrilla leader during the War of Independence. Click here for more info on the Michael Collins Trail and Collin’s associated sites of interest in West Cork.
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Surfing and Water Sports
Get your surf on at Rosscarbery’s Rebel Wave surf school! The school operates between the Warren Strand and Owenahincha Beach, minutes from Rosscarbery town. Fully-qualified instructors offer surfing lessons for kids and adults, as well as surf camps during the holiday season. At Rebel Wave you can hire wetsuits, surfboards, bodyboards, snorkelling equipment and single/double kayaks. Things To Do In Rosscarbery highly recommend Rebel Wave. With its pounding waves and massive swells, competent surfers flock to Long Strand but be warned the waters have a dangerous undertow.
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Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching
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West Cork is one of the best places not only in Ireland but in the world for whale and dolphin watching and Rosscarbery is no exception. In recent years fin whales have been making regular appearances in Rosscarbery Bay and have been sighted about 200m from the shoreline. These graceful giants are the second largest mammals in the world! Fin whales can grow to about 30m and can weigh over 70 tonnes! Other regular sightings include pilot whales, minke whales and orcas (the so-called killer whale). Common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins also frequent the waters around West Cork. Other interesting marine animals make regular appearances, these include basking sharks, seals, harbour porpoise, leatherback turtles and of course the many species of seabirds. Local chartered crafts sail regularly but booking is essential. With a pair of quality binoculars you can also enjoy this fun activity from the comfort of dry land!
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Castlefreke Woods
Embrace the outdoors at Castlefreke Woods! Nature fanatics will not be disappointed as birdlife and woodland wildlife abound in the forest. Castlefreke’s pathways and walkways lined with a variety of native trees can be enjoyed by the keen walking enthusiast and casual walker alike. It's also a favourite among dog walkers! Castlefreke Woods is the perfect place for a picnic with tables provided. The castle itself is private property but you can enjoy splendid views of its ruins. Castlefreke was built in the late-eighteenth century by Sir John Evans Freke as a replacement for his fifteenth-century residence at Rathbarry Castle. Castlefreke was burnt in 1910, later rebuilt and then dismantled in the 1950s. Spot the walled garden to the northeast and look out for the nineteenth-century farm buildings! Castlefreke is an eight minute drive from Rosscarbery. Free entry and free public parking. If you’re Castlefreke-bound be sure to visit the charming “Tidy Towns” award-winning village of Rathbarry. Click here for more information about Castlefreke woodland walks and other West Cork walks.
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Rosscarbery Lagoon Activity Centre (Water Sports)
The large
shallow lagoon located on the edge of Rosscarbery was once part of the tidal
estuary but access to the sea has been restricted by the N71 causeway making it ideal for water
sports. At the Lagoon Activity Centre you can hire pedal boats, paddle boats,
rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and dinghies. The centre offers sailing and
windsurfing lessons for kids and adults. Or try your hand at SUP! Stand Up
Paddling is one of Ireland’s fastest growing water sports! If fun in the water
isn’t for you, stay on dry land and take in the beautiful scenery of the lagoon
which is home to an abundance of birdlife and wildlife. The lagoon is also much
loved by the fishing enthusiast!
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Fishing
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Get your rods at the ready because in West Cork there is something to suit every fishing enthusiast with a versatile choice of estuary, rock and deep sea fishing or fresh water river and lake fishing. With such an accessible coastline, there are countless wonderful fishing spots within easy reach of Rosscarbery. Tourists and locals alike enjoy fishing in the lagoon, which is separated from the tidal estuary by the causeway. Species common to the lagoon and estuary opposite include grey mullet, Atlantic sea trout, wild brown trout, flounder, eels and oysters. Warning: you may have competition so watch out for those otters! At Rosscarbery Pier you can expect sea bass, pollack and mackerel. Rosscarbery’s beaches offer idyllic and peaceful fishing spots for flounder and bass. How about some night fishing? If you have a boat at your disposal then you’re in for a treat at Mill Cove! Located five minutes from Rosscarbery, Mill Cove is a tiny picturesque shallow harbour with a small jetty and moorings. For the advanced fisher among you, the waters surrounding Rosscarbery are internationally renowned for deep sea angling. West Cork is Ireland’s wreck fishing centre. The shipwrecks facilitate ecosystems teaming with diverse marine plant and fish life. Get your fishing permits and bait from the tackle shop in Clonakilty, just a ten minute drive from Rosscarbery. For information on nearby shore marks click here.
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Rosscarbery Golf Driving Range
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Improve you swing at Rosscarbery Golf Driving Range! Situated minutes from the town, it offers six all-weather indoor bays and two outdoor areas. Lessons are also provided. The driving range, which overlooks Rosscarbery Bay and town, delivers panoramic views of the surrounding West Cork countryside. Rosscarbery Golf and Adventure Centre has something to suit all tastes and for young families the driving range is ideally located beside Smuggler’s Cove crazy golf course. Here at Things To Do In Rosscarbery we give Rosscarbery Golf and Adventure Centre the thumbs up! The nearest golf courses are the open 18-hole parkland golf course in Skibbereen and the 9-hole golf courses at Dunmore and Lisselan Estate near Clonakilty, all located around 15 minutes from Rosscarbery.
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Galley Head Lighthouse (Dundeady Headland)
The 21m high lighthouse station at Galley Head is perched on a dramatic clifftop about 40m above sea level. Built in 1875, the first light was established in 1878. At this time it emitted one of the most powerful lights (from a lighthouse) in the world! It displays an unusual landward arc of light apparently because the Sultan of Turkey, while visiting Castlefreke, requested that the light beam be directed toward the castle. The light was initially powered by gas, then paraffin and finally in 1969 electricity. The requirement for the lighthouse attendant to live at the station was discontinued from 1997 and the light is now controlled from the central monitoring room at Dun Laoghaire. The building itself is not open to the public. Galley Head offers stunning views of the West Cork coastline from Fastnet Rock to the Old Head of Kinsale. Look out for the sixteenth-century ruins of Dundeady Castle! The headland is ideal for picnics or a romantic walk along the cliffs. The two dwelling houses for the lighthouse keepers have been lovingly restored to their original layout and are available to rent as holiday accommodation. Galley Head is located about 9km southeast of Rosscarbery and is a pleasant 15 minute drive. Free parking available.
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Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt
A 36-hole pitch and putt course is situated amid sand dunes, at the Warren Strand, a 2 minute drive from Rosscarbery. There are two 18-hole link courses: the Creggane (Red) Course and the Channel (Yellow) Course. These are among the finest pitch and putt courses of their kind in Ireland and a popular choice among tourists and holiday-makers from Ireland, Britain, Europe and America. Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt Club guarantee a fun day out for all the family! For the competitive among you, competitions are held every Sunday morning. So if you're looking to fill your day with a fun activity, Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt may be the answer! Tennis courts located nearby.
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Horse-Riding and Trekking
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Rosscarbery Riding Centre, located on the outskirts of the town at Burgatia, offer horse-riding and pony-riding lessons to children and adults. The best way to experience the local scenery is on horseback. Countryside and beach treks are offered by the equestrian centre. On horseback visit Long Strand, Owenahincha Beach, Castlefreke Woods and Bohonagh Stone Circle. A trek on the beach comes highly recommended from Things To Do In Rosscarbery.
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St Fachtna’s Cathedral
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It is believed that in the sixth century St Fachtna founded an ecclesiastical site in the Rosscarbery area. The early medieval annals and other contemporary documents reveal that as time progressed, the early ecclesiastical foundation developed as an important centre for learning and pilgrimage. The site was known as ‘Ross Ailithir’. The term ailithir denotes a pilgrim or religious exile. The Church of Ireland cathedral with bell tower, which is named after St Fachtna, preserves some twelfth-century features. The building underwent substantial rebuilding in the later medieval period and again in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries and more recently. The cathedral is located in the centre of Rosscarbery town and is a must-see for the history, archaeology and architecture enthusiast. Why not also visit the Roman Catholic Church? Built in the nineteenth century it was also named in honour of St Fachtna.
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Crazy Golf
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, located minutes from Rosscarbery town, is an 18-hole pirate-themed golf course. It is played on an all-weather astroturf base. The 18 holes comprise twelve par 4, four par 4 and two par 5. A round of crazy golf at Smuggler’s Cove is guaranteed great fun for all ages! But if crazy golf isn’t for you why not perfect your swing at Rosscarbery Golf Driving Range, located beside Smuggler’s Cove golf course.
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Underwater Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
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West Cork is one of the best dive destinations in the world! With locally-hired diving and snorkelling equipment you can enjoy the clear unpolluted waters in and around the Rosscarbery coastline. Whether you’re an experienced diver or new to the sport, Rosscarbery is a great place to embark on your scuba diving adventure. Because of the warming influence of the Gulf Stream colourful and unusual fish normally associated with warmer climates migrate to the Cork coastline. Dive the caves, gullies, reefs and islands of West Cork in the company of fish, basking sharks, seals, dolphins and whales! Why not investigate Stags Rocks? There are several well-preserved shipwrecks and subs in diving range which facilitate an ecosystem teaming with diverse marine plants and fish. Explore the Kowloon Bridge! At 90,000 tonnes and 300m long it’s the biggest diveable wreck in the world! Guided snorkelling tours and night dives can be arranged.
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Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool
The Celtic Ross Hotel provide a 15m heated indoor swimming pool, a children’s pool, bubble pool, sauna, steam room and a fully equipped gymnasium. Non-residents can avail of the pool and gym facilities. A splash around in the Celtic Ross swimming pool comes highly recommended by Things To Do In Rosscarbery!
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Guided Tours
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Minibuses can be hired in Rosscarbery and an experienced tour guide (and driver) will accompany you to a variety of local sites. Choose from a wide range of tours. Visit the many prehistoric and medieval monuments scattered in and around the Rosscarbery area. The guide will provide you with interesting historical and folkloric information. How about a coastal tour? Learn all about the local fishing industry and hear of the fascinating sea lore and dramatic accounts of local shipwrecks. Places of local commercial interest are also visited, as well as the quaint neighbouring villages of Rathbarry, Glandore, Union Hall, Baltimore and many, many more. For the history and archaeology lover visiting Rosscarbery this is a great way to learn about its past!
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Sailing and Yachting
Sailboats, keelboats, catamarans and powerboats are all available to hire locally. Novice sailors and young families love to explore the sheltered West Cork coastline, with its many secret creeks and inlets. If that sounds too much like hard work how about privately hiring a chartered yacht or boarding a ferry cruise? Pleasure boat trips are the perfect way to celebrate those special occasions, from birthdays to weddings, with the ones you love in the surrounds of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.
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Pamper Yourself in Rosscarbery
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Rosscarbery caters for the pampering needs of ladies, gents and teenagers. With amazing views of the nearby lagoon, relax in the Celtic Ross Hotel holistic suite with a massage, facial or beauty treatment. Treat yourself to a new hairstyle in the local hair salon or barber shop located in Rosscarbery town centre. Afterwards unwind in one of Rosscarbery’s cosy cafés or award-winning gourmet restaurants and indulge yourself!
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Upcoming Events
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Whatever you choose to do, make Rosscarbery your first choice in 2013!