Mike's Guidebook
Food Scene
A great range of delicious food, prepared excellently with locally sourced ingredients where possible and generous servings. Top class seafood and an extensive winelist. It's only a short stroll down the hill. My personal favourites are the fresh crab salad, the pan seared scallops with pork belly and the strawberry roulade. We are very grateful to have Mary Ann's in our village.
14 locals recommend
Mary Ann's Bar and Restaurant
Main StreetA great range of delicious food, prepared excellently with locally sourced ingredients where possible and generous servings. Top class seafood and an extensive winelist. It's only a short stroll down the hill. My personal favourites are the fresh crab salad, the pan seared scallops with pork belly and the strawberry roulade. We are very grateful to have Mary Ann's in our village.
Great food on a beautiful and unique estate. Stroll through the arboretum, along the lake and check out the sky garden.
Liss Ard Sky Garden
Great food on a beautiful and unique estate. Stroll through the arboretum, along the lake and check out the sky garden.
Best coffee in Skibbereen, probably the best scones in Ireland, fantastic brunch and lunch options and a beautiful outdoor dining area. Great ingredients prepared with love.
The Riverside
6 North StreetBest coffee in Skibbereen, probably the best scones in Ireland, fantastic brunch and lunch options and a beautiful outdoor dining area. Great ingredients prepared with love.
A great way to pass a Saturday morning while grabbing a few essentials.
21 locals recommend
Skibbereen Farmers’ Market
Market StreetA great way to pass a Saturday morning while grabbing a few essentials.
O'Neill Coffee
64 Townshend StGreat Coffee
Pilgrims
6 South SquareThe best restaurant I have ever been to.
If you enjoy organically grown beautifully prepared vegan food and a good book then you will love Antiquity at The Time Traveller's Bookshop.
Antiquity Bookshop & Vegan Deli
44 Bridge StIf you enjoy organically grown beautifully prepared vegan food and a good book then you will love Antiquity at The Time Traveller's Bookshop.
A great place to grab a quick bite of delicious food and a great coffee while exploring out west!
20 locals recommend
Budds Restaurant
Main StreetA great place to grab a quick bite of delicious food and a great coffee while exploring out west!
Paradiso
16 Lancaster QuayA fantastic option when in Cork city.
When in the city centre a great option for a beautiful lunch or a treat with the added bonus of a magnificentart gallery attached.
107 locals recommend
Crawford Art Gallery
1 Emmett PlWhen in the city centre a great option for a beautiful lunch or a treat with the added bonus of a magnificentart gallery attached.
Sightseeing
This is a hidden gem located just before the descent into Castletownshend village which offers spectacular panoramic views of the area and simultaneously a glimpse into pre-christian Ireland.
7 locals recommend
Knockdrum Stone Fort
This is a hidden gem located just before the descent into Castletownshend village which offers spectacular panoramic views of the area and simultaneously a glimpse into pre-christian Ireland.
Fastnet Rock
A spectacular lighthouse located 4 miles from Cape Clear Island.
Harry Clarke stained glass windows on a lovely old church elevated above Castletownshend harbour.
St. Barrahane's Church
Harry Clarke stained glass windows on a lovely old church elevated above Castletownshend harbour.
A Nature Marine Reserve at the foot of Knockomagh Hill. Spectacular view from the top of the hill after a nice trail through the woods.
66 locals recommend
Lough Hyne
A Nature Marine Reserve at the foot of Knockomagh Hill. Spectacular view from the top of the hill after a nice trail through the woods.
Rineen Forest
A beautiful walking trail through the woods along the
Very interesting historical site with spectacular coastal views
35 locals recommend
Drombeg Stone Circle
Very interesting historical site with spectacular coastal views
A great place to visit with the journey there being an added bonus
6 locals recommend
Mizen Head Bridge(Droichead Cheann Mizen)
A great place to visit with the journey there being an added bonus
Garinish Island
A lovely day trip to a very unique little Island
Bantry House
Stunning House with Beautiful views and occasionally great gigs
Charles Fort
Beautiful and very informative regarding The Battle of Kinsale
Beach
Great beach for a long walk with nice coffee, brunch and lunch available from The Fish Basket at the end of the beach.
Also a great walking trail across from the beach through Castlefreke Forest, Rathbarry and around the lake.
7 locals recommend
Long Strand Beach
Great beach for a long walk with nice coffee, brunch and lunch available from The Fish Basket at the end of the beach.
Also a great walking trail across from the beach through Castlefreke Forest, Rathbarry and around the lake.
Inchydoney Beach
Beautiful Beach
Barley Cove Beach
Stunning beach near Goleen and Crookhaven
Activity
A wonderful way to experience West Cork from an often unseen perspective while hearing great tales from a magnificent warm and cool host. Just do it and you will do it again!
16 locals recommend
Atlantic Sea Kayaking
A wonderful way to experience West Cork from an often unseen perspective while hearing great tales from a magnificent warm and cool host. Just do it and you will do it again!
A wonderful day out on the water and a great way to explore the waters of West Cork.
8 locals recommend
Cork Whale Watch
A wonderful day out on the water and a great way to explore the waters of West Cork.
Stunning views and take the coastal route home along the Wild Atlantic Way for more
Galley Head Lighthouse
Stunning views and take the coastal route home along the Wild Atlantic Way for more
Sherkin Island Ferry
A beautiful Island just a few minutes on the ferry from Baltimore.
Spectacular views and a great place to have a retreat or practice meditation
17 locals recommend
Dzogchen Beara
Spectacular views and a great place to have a retreat or practice meditation
A great loop for cycling and some lovely walking trails too
11 locals recommend
The Sheep's Head Way HQ
A great loop for cycling and some lovely walking trails too
A wonderful resource with great information about the famine, Lough Hyne and retracing your roots
25 locals recommend
Skibbereen Heritage Centre
A wonderful resource with great information about the famine, Lough Hyne and retracing your roots
West Cork Arts Centre
UillinnGreat exhibitions throughout the year
The Ring of Kerry and The Ring of Beara are must do trips when in Ireland
135 locals recommend
Ring of kerry
Ring of KerryThe Ring of Kerry and The Ring of Beara are must do trips when in Ireland
A trip to Killarney for hiking around the National Park and Muckross House is another must do. Some great shops in Killarney for souvenirs.
149 locals recommend
Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
A trip to Killarney for hiking around the National Park and Muckross House is another must do. Some great shops in Killarney for souvenirs.
Three Castle Head
Beautiful views and a peaceful walk
A beautiful walk which is hidden just off the Wild Atlantic Way about 4 miles from Castletownshend
Toe Head
A beautiful walk which is hidden just off the Wild Atlantic Way about 4 miles from Castletownshend
Truly get to know the area in this magnificent guided walking tour.
Placenames and their amazing Stories Fun with Toponym
Truly get to know the area in this magnificent guided walking tour.
Shops
Great quality products and a great range of local and Irish foods. Very friendly and helpful staff. Online and delivery services are also available.
23 locals recommend
Field's SuperValu Skibbereen
Main StreetGreat quality products and a great range of local and Irish foods. Very friendly and helpful staff. Online and delivery services are also available.
Beautiful fresh fish right off the boat while the staff are very pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful.
The Fish Shop
Main StreetBeautiful fresh fish right off the boat while the staff are very pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful.
Pubs
Levis' Bar
Main StreetA unique Irish pub experience with great live music in Ballydehob
Connolly's of Leap
Main StreetA fantastic music venue in Leap
Traditional Irish Pub in Skibbereen with great Guinness, an extensive range of whiskies and Gins and the best live traditional music
7 locals recommend
The Corner Bar
37 Bridge StTraditional Irish Pub in Skibbereen with great Guinness, an extensive range of whiskies and Gins and the best live traditional music
Traveler advice
Getting around
The Village Shop
There's a shop which provides all essentials located towards the top of the Main Street across from the phone box
Don't miss
The Museum "Lár na Sráide" half way down the hill
A great insight into the local history of the area from Vincent (Thursday to Saturday)