Insight Guides: Ireland by Guides Insight

Author:Guides, Insight [Guides, Insight]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: APA
Published: 2016-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

Continuing west on the N71, the road crosses a wide sea inlet at Rosscarbery 4 [map] . This was an important monastic centre from the 6th to the 12th centuries. The protestant Cathedral Church of St Fachtna (1612) is the smallest cathedral in Ireland and has been attractively renovated. The pretty village square, on a hill above the main road, with craft shops, bars and cafés is worth exploring.

Turn left just beyond Rosscarbery on to the R597 Glandore road. From June to September this little road, and many others like it around west Cork, are lined by tall hedges of Fuchsia magellanica , a shrub with bright red bell-shaped flowers imported from Chile in the 19th century. It has adapted so well to the climate that it grows wild in profusion.

About 2 miles (3.5km) along is the road to the Drombeg Stone Circle (free), one of the most complete and most impressively situated of the region’s early Iron Age remains. The circle is oriented to the winter solstice. If it’s cloudless on 21 December, it is an impressive sight as the last rays of the sun travel through a cut in the distant mountains and land on the flat stone at the far side of the circle.

In winter Glandore 5 [map] , a tiny village built on the south-facing slope of a protected harbour, with a year-round population well below 100, will be virtually empty, while in summer it will be teeming with wealthy visitors and their yachts. This lovely spot is known locally as Millionaire’s Row. Union Hall , on the opposite side of Glandore Harbour, is a small fishing village. The brightly painted trawlers moor nearby at Keelbeg Pier . Note the characteristic multicoloured houses: it’s said this tradition began when fishermen used whatever was left over from the annual painting of their boats to brighten up their houses. The custom has been enthusiastically adopted by developers of new holiday homes, but you will quickly learn to distinguish the real thing.

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