DAY 5-WEST CORK TOURING
Today, you will enjoy the scenery of the southwest. Pass through many charming villages, Rosscarbery, Glandore, Union Hall and Castletownshend, set in picturesque surroundings and sharing their appeal between sylvan beauties and the call of the sea. Your driver will drive via Skibbereen, possibly, the most colourful town in Ireland. Each building, whether shop or home, forms part of a complete rainbow of colour, mauve next to green alongside purple adjacent to yellow. There is none of your bland west-coast whitewash here! The buildings are like a string of Celtic jewels that jar, then delight the eye with agreeable surprise, especially on a drab rainy day.
You may like to take a detour to the most southerly point in Ireland, the Mizen Head. Mizen Head Signal Station is open to the public for the first time since it was completed in 1910. The Mizen Vision! Visitor Centre in the Keeper's House and the Engine Room, the famous Suspension Bridge, the 99 Steps and the views up the South and West Coasts combined with the exhilaration and excitement of the wild Atlantic waves and ancient tortured rocks guarantee a unique and authentic experience. In any weather the Magic of the Mizen is spellbinding. Mizen Vision the Mizen Head Signal Station Visitor centre has been open since June 1st, 1994. In April 1993 the fog signal station was demanned and went automatic. A local co-operative, Mizen Tourism, was formed to develop the location into a visitor centre to create rural employment. In July 1993 a lease was signed with the Irish Lights and the exciting Mizen Vision! Became a reality. There are spectacular views on the Bridge and at the end of the peninsula and the houses have been equipped with an audio-visual room, a map and archive room; the Keeper's kitchen and bedroom have been retained and there is a bird and sea watch room. Imagination takes over in the Mizen environment cave, the Fastnet Room, the Underwater Room and the Storm Room. You are very welcome to the Mizen! Don't miss it!
Continue along via Bantry to Ballylickey. There are many attractive views of the scenery of the surrounding district from the sea. The surrounding waters are quite rich in wildlife, the seals which frequent the rocks on the southern shore being of particular interest to many.
Overnight at the Ballylickey Manor House. This 4 star guesthouse on the boundary of Cork and Kerry is set amidst ten acres of award winning flower gardens and parkland. It is surrounded by mountains and moorland it enjoys a stunning romantic setting overlooking Bantry Bay. There is an aura of quiet luxury about the Manor with its drawing rooms, breakfast room and five sumptuous suites. Across the gardens just out of sight are the swimming pool and a cluster of comfortable rustic Cottages, which offer a choice of suites of bedroom bathroom accommodation.