Gougae Barra Hotel,Things to do, places to go, peolple to see

Gougane Barra Hotel

Óstan Gúgan Barra

Things to do, Places to go, People to see...

Gougane Barra Hotel is picturesquely situated on its own grounds overlooking Gougane Barra Lake, the source of the River Lee. The hotel has been family run for generations and is a home from home for the discerning traveller. It is ideally located for those who want to get away from it all, an ideal base for the outdoor enthusiast wishing to tour the beauty spots of West Cork and Kerry.

Gougane Barra – “St Finbarr’s Hollow” – on the island in the lake, was the site on which St. Finbarr the patron saint of Cork, founded his monastery. The present chapel, in Irish Romanesque style, was built about the year 1900 on the island which is now linked to the mainland by a short causeway. The lake at Gougane Barra is fed from the wild fountains of the surrounding hills to become the head waters of the River Lee.

The poet Callanan begins his haunting verse with the words:

There is a green island in lone Gougane Barra

Where allua of song rushes forth as an arrow

In deep valleyed Desmond a thousand wild fountains

Come down to that lake from their home in the mountains

Opposite the island is the tiny graveyard of Gougane Barra and here lay the remains of the Tailor and Ansty of Eric Crosse’s once controversial book The Tailor and Ansty.

WALKS There are a number of walks in Gougane Barra forest park comprising some 350 acres. Nature lovers will revel in the extensive areas of natural and cultivated forestry which abounds in wildlife.

You can drive along the ring road in the forest or take some of the very enjoyable walks. Sli Laoi a delightful walk along the floor of Cumrua follows the course of the infant Lee to the head of the valley.

For the more energetic there are interesting walks ascending the slopes, from which the panoramic view of mountain and crag, lake and forest, present a picture of unforgettable beauty.

For the skilled walker the high hills surrounding Gougane Barra invite you to sample the joys of hill walking.

TOURING

Visitors who bring their own cars will be pleased to note the variety of tours from Gougane Barra. We also have bikes for your enjoyment, please inquire at at our hotel reception on arrival.

Tour 1 Glengarriff, Kenmare, Kilgarvan, from Gougane Barra through the Pass of Keimaneigh (Leap of the Deer) to Glengarriff. A short sea trip to the subtropical garden of Garnish Island. Then over the Caha Mountains, through the tunnels to Kenmare, returning homeward via Kilgarvan and Ballingeary.

Tour 2 Ring of Kerry: Drive to Kilgarvan, Kenmare, Sneem and Waterville, the tour continues to Cahirciveen where Valentia island comes into view then to Glenbeigh, Killorglin of Puck Fair fame and Killarney and over the Derrynasaggart mountains to Ballyvourney and Ballingeary.

Tour 3 Ring of Cork: Ballingeary to Blarney, visit Blarney castle and kiss the renowned stone, continue to Cork: lovely city on the Lee: thence southwards to the little old-world port of Kinsale. Then to Garretstown and return via Bandon, Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary.

Tour 4 West Cork: Drive to Ballingeary along the shores of Lough Allua to Inchigeelagh , Dunmanway, Skibbereen and Baltimore. You can take a short ferry trip to Sherkin island or Cape Clear and return via Skibbereen and Bantry.

Tour 5 Mizen and Sheeps Head: Drive over the Pass of Keimaneigh to Bantry, Ballydehob and Schull, the beach at Barley Cove is most popular for a swim before heading for Mizen head. Be sure to visit the lighthouse. Then to Durras and from here you can go to Sheeps Head or continue to Bantry.

Tour 6 Ring of Beara: Drive to Ballylickey and follow the coastline to Glengarriff, Adrigole, Castletownbere and Allihies. This was the site of extensive copper mining in the nineteenth century. Then to Ardgroom where the estuary of the Kenmare river is seen extending from Dursey island to Scarrif island. Continue to Kenmare and Kilgarvan and return home via Ballingeary.

Tour 7 A day in Killarney: Only 60 km from Gougane Barra the world famed lake district of Killarney. You can take a jaunting car through the Muckross estate or drive to Muckross House and study the folk centre or drive to the gap of Dunloe and see Kate Kearney’s cottage.

Places of Interest:

Bantry House: This is a Georgian house which contains furniture and tapestries

collected by Richard White 2^nd Earl of Bantry, 1800-1868.

Mass Rock on the picturesque southern road between Ballingeary and Inchigeelagh

which dates back to the penal times.

St Gobnaits Shrine at Ballyvourney is well worth a visit.

The Lee Valley is very rich in heritage and there are many castles worth visiting.

Macroom Castle: This was built in the 13^th century by the O’Flynn family after the

Cromwellian wars. Macroom castle was given to Admiral Sir William Penn father of

William Penn the founder of Pennsylvania.

Carrignacurra Castle Inchigeelagh, the chief stronghold of the O’Learys.

Carrigapooka Castle near Macroom, built by the McCarthys.

Carrignass Castle Kealkill, built by the O’Sullivans.

Clapper Bridge built of stone slabs at the far side of Gougane Barra Lake.

Cholaiste na Mhumhain located at Ballingeary in the heart of the Gaeltacht. This was the first Irish College in Ireland and was opened in 1904.

Activities near Gougane Barra Hotel, in Cork and Kerry, please consult this brochure:

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