Mizen Peninsula

The Mizen Peninsula in the far southwest is one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland, offering a little bit of everything that makes Ireland so unique: steep cliffs, lush green pastures and rugged moorland, lively little towns, megalithic buildings and probably the most beautiful beach in West Cork at Barley Cove - all this can be found here in a total length of just 30 km. In many travel guides, the Mizen Peninsula is still only mentioned as a side note. This is one of the reasons why it is so tranquil here.

In good weather, you can enjoy breathtaking views over the azure sea at many points on the peninsula, and even Fastnet Rock, Ireland's southernmost point, is clearly visible in the distance. In general, it is noticeable that the Mizen Peninsula is strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream and the weather drifting over the Atlantic. The weather conditions are accordingly extreme: If the sun is shining, it is pleasantly warm here, but if it is raining or windy, it can be really unpleasant on Mizen.

Coming from the N71, the R 596 leads through the picturesque village of Ballydebob, whose narrow main street winds its way up a hill along colourful house facades. The island's main town is Schull, a lively fishing and sailing village where the first planetarium in the Republic of Ireland opened in 1989. If you have time, you should stop off in Schull. The village offers numerous accommodations for tourists and is an ideal starting point to explore the peninsula.

Heading west, the scenic route takes you along the rugged coast past a remarkable megalithic structure, the Altar Wedge Tomb. This wedge tomb is well over 2000 years old. A real feast for the eyes is the next highlight on the route, the beach at Barley Cove, which lies in a sheltered bay. Gently nestled amidst green hills, here lies a vast expanse of dunes that is a popular destination for families in summer. Not far from the beach, you reach the small village of Crockhaven, which consists of just a handful of houses to the right and left of the road.

To the far west of the peninsula is Mizen Head. The road ends at the car park of the Mizen Head Visitor Centre. From here, a narrow path leads down 99 steps to the new footbridge connecting the mainland with Cloghane Island, the site of a former signal station high above the tides of the Atlantic. Anyone interested in lighthouses and shipping is in the right place here. Both the station and the visitor centre provide information about the eventful history of Irish signal stations and accidents at sea. You can also try your hand at being the captain of an ocean-going freighter in a simulation. North of Mizen Head, Three Castle Head is another cape jutting into the Atlantic. If the weather is good, you should definitely hike up the hill to visit the ruins of Cloghane Castle. It's worth it - I promise!