Today is a full day to enjoy the South West Coast of Ireland. You will receive a narrated tour as the coach drives the unparalleled beauty of the landscape of this area. Travel firstly from Cork via the thriving market town of Macroom to Gougane Barra. Gougane Barra was Ireland's first National Park when it opened to the public in 1966. This contributes greatly to the reputation, which Gougane Barra has as an area of wild and beautiful scenery. The magnificent Forest Park covers an area of over 400 hectares (1,000 acres).

The River Lee rises here in Gougane Barra and flows through beautiful scenery to reach Cork Harbour after a distance of approximately 50km. There is a tiny island in the lake at Gougane Barra connected to the shore by a causeway. It was here that St. Finbarr, patron saint of Cork, founded his early Christian monastery, before moving down the River Lee to establish a monastery at what is now St. Finbarrs Cathedral in Cork City.

Continue along to Glengarriff, where you will stop for coffee & lunch. The name comes from "An Gleann Garbh" - the rugged glen - which is derived from the rugged beauty of the mountains and wooded valleys surrounding the village. Magnificent views of the Caha Mountains and the bulk of Sugarloaf can be seen from the numerous viewpoints along the roads, which hug the coastline or wind along the steep sided valleys.

In the late afternoon you will travel onto Rosscarbery 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 will enjoy overnight in a 3 Star Hotel Accomodation.