Clonakilty Tourist Attractions
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Clonakilty (Clanna Chaoilte, "O'Keelty's Sept") lies in Clonakilty Bay on the south coast of Ireland. The head of the bay is almost totally enclosed by the Inchadoney Peninsula. There are good sandy beaches and facilities for water sports and sea fishing.The town of Clonakilty was established in 1614 by the first Earl of Cork for occupation by English settlers. It is now a small market town in a fertile agricultural area with an interesting local museum and a beautiful park, Kennedy Gardens.
Model Railway Village
The West Cork Model Railway Village opened in 1994 in Clonakilty. It recreates in miniature what life and industry were like in West Cork 50 years ago and the rail model depicts the long-closed West Cork Railway on a scale of 1:24.The station building will mount exhibits on the railroads and industries for West Cork.
Surroundings
Timoleague
6mi/10km east of Clonakilty on the T71 and R600 lies Timoleague, with an abbey founded in 1240 which in its day was an important religious center.The village of Timoleague is ideally situated for visitors to enjoy many local outdoor activities including walking, sailing, surfing, golf and fishing.
Timoleague Castle Gardens
The present ruins (church with south aisle and transepts, tower, remains of conventual buildings) date from later centuries. The castle gardens are open to the public.
Courtmacsherry
From Timoleague it is 2.5mi/4km on the R601 to Courtmacsherry, a fishing village on the south side of a narrow inlet.
Benduff Castle
On the large peninsula southwest of Clonakilty, near Castle Freke, are the ruins of Benduff Castle and the remains of a Templar establishment.
Rosscarbery
Picturesquely situated on the northwestern side of Rosscarbery Bay, on a hill by the sea, the little town of Rosscarbery once had a sixth century monastery famous for its school. There are some remains of this near the ancient cathedral (restored in the 17th and 19th century).
Coppinger's Court
2mi/3km west of Clonakilty stands Coppinger's Court (National Monument), a ruined 17th C. manor house with picturesque turrets, gables and chimneys.
Drombeg Stone Circle
On a hill just off the road to Glandore (R597) can be found the Drombeg Stone Circle (National Monument) of 17 stones, which dates from about the beginning of the Christian era. In the center of the circle were found the burned remains of a human body, and a short distance to the west the remains of two round huts; these have been dated to the second-fourth century A.D. It is probable that the erstwhile inhabitants did not live here but hunted in the vicinity.
Glandore
Glandore is a prettily situated resort with a mild climate and good fishing and bathing.
