The Culinary Coast – Kinsale to Kenmare

Clonakilty

All aboard for Mighty Clon! (Kinsale to Clonakilty: 35kms - 45 mins transfer time).

The seaside town of Clonakilty is famous for shop fronts with hand painted signs and Ireland’s favourite black pudding. 

Visit the home of one of Ireland’s most famous food brands, Clonakilty Black Pudding.  At Clonakilty Black Pudding Visitor Centre hear about the Twomey family’s legendary centuries-old recipe and sample a national favourite.

Check out ClonakiltyDistillery award winning family business making Irish whiskey, gin and vodka.

Brilliant guides share the craft behind the fine produce with tastings included. They also offer a fun 2 hour Minke Gin School experience.

Insider Tips

1. Kirbys @ The Whale’s Tail serve amazing fresh local seafood and great cocktails.
2. Call into the must-see De Barra's Folk Club – famous traditional pub and music venue.
3. Grab a tasty lunch in a Clonakilty’s favourite Scannells Bar
4. Visit Clonakilty Ice Cream choosing from more than 18 flavours.
5. Dunes Pub & Bistro at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa (pictured) is a fabulous nautical themed bar & bistro with stunning views serving favourites such as local West Cork seafood chowder.
6.Time permitting swing by Timoleague village or Courtmacsherry Village.   Admire the 14th century Franciscan Friary on the banks of the Argideen river.
7. Join locals in Padjoes Bar for a pint.
8.  Alternatively, Monks Lane is a vibrant food and wine destination in the heart of the Timoleague village or there’s the popular Lifeboat Inn in Courtmacsherry.   

Clonakilty to Skibbereen & Ballydehob

Meander along breathtaking coastal and rural scenery, with an option to stop in Rosscarbery. Renowned for its Saturday morning Farmers Market, the village is home to stunning beaches and West Cork Farm Tours – available for private bookings. 

Travel onwards to Skibbereen (or 'Skibb' as it is known locally) to enjoy a buzzing market town with lots of great places to eat from An Chistin Beag to Wild Ways @ Dillons Corner to The Church Restaurant and an array of gourmet shops with West Cork treats. 

If you have time to spare, visit some other incredible spots on the Wild Atlantic Way such as Castletownsend and Baltimore.  

Once in Ballydehob village, do not miss restaurant Chestnut. Led by Chef Rob, this intimate Michelin-starred restaurant is rooted in tradition, family and a passion for West Cork’s land and coastal ingredients.  

Or check out Budds Restaurant, offering brunch and lunch. 

End with a pint in Levis Corner House,  a legendary pub with regular music gigs in the same family for over 100 years

Insider Tips

1. From Ballydehob, detour to either Sheeps Head or Mizen Head offering unique experiences that are full of natural beauty and historical significance. The fascinating Mizen Head Signal Station is well worth checking out. 

2. Béal Blasta (formerly Hudsons Wholefoods Cafe & Shop) in Ballydehob is a haven for food lovers.

3. Kitchen Stories in Ballydehob is an excellent local restaurant and wine bar. 

Bantry

Next on your epic culinary adventure, travel onwards to Bantry town with colourful streets framed by mountain ridges and cascading mountain streams. Go deep sea fishing with Bantry Bay Charters. Depart with an expert angler or charter your own boat on a fishing expedition with the best views of the Wild Atlantic’s south eastern coast and islands. Scuba diving experiences also available! 

Donemark West delivers all in abundance. From the warm and courteous welcome to food with personality and flair, this is simply a delightful experience.  It is often booked out a couple of weeks in advance so be sure to call and book ahead. 

Adrian Biffen, Head Chef, and his team in The Ocean Restaurant have produced a world of flavours and influences and together with the finest local ingredients created a modern Irish dining experience like no other Bantry Restaurant.

Bantry Market

Visit Bantry market which takes place every Friday bustling with more than 100 stalls abundant with the finest foods and curios. Meet some great local characters from Bantry and the local peninsulas. 

Fair Day takes place on the first Friday of every month when traders stalls swell to include livestock and poultry. 

Insider Tips

1. Pop into Organico run by the Dare sisters for delicious produce hand- picked to support a healthier, happier and tastier life

2. The Stuffed Olive Café, bakery and deli for delicious take out.

3. Visit stunning Bantry House & Gardens (pictured) overlooking Bantry bay. 

Ballydehob to Glengarriff

On route to Glengarriff, stop in Ballylickey village at the heart of Bantry Bay to pick up a picnic at Mannings Emporium. This bustling food store specialising in local and artisan produce began as a family farm shop in 1948.  

Enjoy your edible finds in the heart of nature. Check out the Glengarriff Nature Reserve or board the Harbour Queen Ferry to visit the rare awe-inspiring beauty of Garinish Island.  

Cosy up with a great view in the spectacularly located Eccles Hotel & Spa in Glengarriff. 

Here Head Chef Eddie Attwell is passionate about sourcing the finest local produce direct from the surrounding gardens and local producers. From casual dining in the Harbour Bar to fine dining in Garnish Restaurant, the food here has been described as “art on a plate.” 

Insider Tips

1. Sugarloaf Café (pictured) in Glengarriff is a real gem for a pit stop and treats.

2. Glengarriff to Kenmare; The Beara Peninsula is an alternative route - a breathtaking 137km odyssey that follows the Wild Atlantic Way along tranquil unspoiled coastline to Kenmare.    

Beara

The Beara peninsula is a hidden gem offering a tranquil escape with rugged landscapes, charming villages, and a rich history. It offers breathtaking coastal drives, captivating walking trails like the Beara Way, wonderful dining options and unique attractions like the Dursey Island cable car (pictured).  

You have the option to travel around the peninsula following the Wild Atlantic Way route or you can travel over the Healy pass to Lauragh where you’ll find An Síbín Restaurant & Wine Bar.

The atmosphere is cosy, the service is friendly and they offer the best of fresh local seafood, perfectly aged Irish beef, as well as veggie and vegan options which will delight. 

A few minutes away you’ll find the well-known Helens Bar & Mussel House at Kilmackillogue Pier in Tuosist which offers an exceptional seafood dining experience with a focus on basic quality and great value. Their mussels, harvested less than a kilometre away in Kenmare Bay are a firm favourite.

Castletownbere is the largest town on the Beara peninsula.  Call into MacCarthys bar in the centre of town, a quirky little pub which serves excellent home cooked food and one of the best pints of Guinness around.

From Castletownbere you can catch a ferry to Bere Island which is rich in history and atmosphere offering lots of opportunities for outdoor activities including their weekly park run which takes place every Saturday.

Insider Tips

1. Kayak with the seals with West Cork Sailing.  Paddle in the sheltered waters of Adrigole Harbour where seals will follow your kayak and curiously bob up their heads around you.

2. The Allihies Copper Mine Museum in Allihies Village is a museum dedicated to the history of copper mining in the area (pictured). The Copper Café next to the museum is a lovely bright space, with great wholesome food.

3.  Dzogchen Beara is a Buddhist Retreat Centre sitting high on cliffs overlooking the wild atlantic way – a magical place that offers a warm welcome, daily meditations and a café serving delightful veggie dishes. 

Glengarriff to Kenmare

Follow the N71 where the road converges with the rugged Caha Mountain range taking in the historic hand-cut tunnels.  Don’t forget to blow your horn as you pass through these iconic tunnels! It takes about 30 minutes to travel from Glengarriff to Kenmare.  

Kenmare is a wonderful destination for foodies.  Whether you're looking to celebrate a special occasion or have a casual lunch, there's so many great spots to choose from. Lagom is a space to relax and soak up a vibrant yet easy going atmosphere whilst savouring the best produce the region has to offer, prepared and cooked to bring optimal flavour to each dish. 

No. 35 Restaurant is a family-run, characterful restaurant. They cook with the best of whats around them in Kenmare and breed their own pedigree rare breed Saddleback pigs for the delicious free-range pork they serve. Landline at The Park Hotel Kenmare listed in the Michelin guide is memorable spot for fine dining. The Nead at The Lansdowne is a lively and atmospheric café open for breakfast and lunch daily with a wonderful and varied menu. End with a night cap in Crowley's Bar renowned for great music sessions.