10 days in West Cork with kids- ideas?

dianec2013

Does anybody have any recommendations for things to do with kids in West Cork, and a suitable town to base ourselves in? We'll be going (from England) there this summer for a fortnight. The kids are 8 and 5 (well we have an 18 months old too but it makes no difference to him where we are yet!)

The plan so far is as follows:

Ferry to either Dublin or Rosslare, drive straight to Cork.
Spend three days in the city: 1- City Gaol, possibly the butter museum and Shandon, and then wander around town; 2- Day trip to Fota Park; 3- Day trip to Kinsale or Cobh (which is better?).

Then we'd like to head down to West Cork for 10 days, before driving back to Rosslare or Dublin to get the ferry.

What we'd like to do, ideally, is base ourselves in or very near a small town or village that is within easy reach of some attractions, as as far as we can make out everything seems to be fairly spread out. We don't really want to be doing more than 2 hours in the car each of those 10 days (the driving to and from the ferries and Cork will be long days obviously).

Our shortlist (well, long-list) is: Clonakilty, Glandore, Baltimore, Skibereen, Schull, Crookhaven, Bantry, Glengarriff, Castletownbere. Are any of these especially nicer than the others or especially easy to keep kids entertained in? Other suggestions welcome of course. We'd consider splitting the trip up again into two towns, but no more than that.

And then, for the day trips, we've got a few ideas, but we'd need a few more. The thing is, the main reason my husband and I want to go there is because we've heard it's beautiful, so we'd be happy walking/driving/sitting with a drink taking it all in, but obviously they'll won't appreciate it!

So we want a balance between keeping us happy and them happy! So far we've got: Gouganebarra, Model railway village, boat trip around one of the bays (depends on where we stay I suppose), Muckross House near Killarney, Durrus farm, plus some archaeological sites to and from those places. Does anyone have any more kid-friendly suggestions?

Thanks

BailMeOut

We have done lots of holidays in West Cork with our kids and getting out on boats is always a big hit. Head to Baltimore and take ferry to Sherkin or Clear Island or Garnish Island in Glangarriff. Other option is the harbour cruise in Kinsale or even better rent a boat from Kinsale Boat Hire.

I would also recommend you make sure your kids have wet suits as regardless of weather they will be very happy play on the beach and water.

West Cork brilliant, you will have a great time!

becost

Barleycove is a nice spot especially if the weather is good. The kids will love the sand dunes and there's a lighthouse open to the public (Mizen head) that's accessed by the cliff top trail and bridge below.

belcampprisoner

http://gotireland.com/2012/02/16/45-things-to-do-in-cork-city/



http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g186598-i676-k2889531-Kid_friendly_beaches_in_Co_Cork-County_Cork.html

.red.

for day 3 in the city go to cobh. kinsale is really nice but when your in west cork you will be pretty near it so go there another day.
trabolgan in east cork is an hour from the city and worth a a day trip for kids(and adults too;))
for a base in west work id decide on clonakilty or bantry or better again split the trip to stay in both for a few days each and you will save a fortune on petrol for the places you want to go to.
an idea to keep the kids entertained would be to buy a cheap fishing rod and reel or bring one with you. plenty of safe piers and rocks around west cork to catch a few macekrel in the evenings.

BailMeOut

This book is very useful : "West Cork and Kerry for Kids". Its available is most book shops in Cork.

http://www.somervillepress.com/westcork.html

donalh087

There is a place called West Cork Secret the is absolutely mad - the kids will love it. http://www.westcorksecret.ie/

Buy an Ordnance Survey map of Cork - there are hundreds of amazing stone circles, ring forts, famine villages all over, in farms and forests that no one visits, you'll have great fun finding them and meet great people.

I would base myself in Baltimore. There are a couple of nice pubs and restaurants and there is always some activity in the harbour to keep you entertained.

okedoke

If you're staying in Baltimore you could take a Ferry trip to Cape Clear (Island)

dianec2013

Thanks for all your replies everyone- they've been really helpful

trotter_inc

Clonakilty would be a perfect base for you while in West Cork. There is a new West Cork tourism app which was launched recently which is supposed to be pretty good, you can check it out at http://explorewestcork.ie/ ( I have no affilliation with this)

Citycap

trotter_inc wrote: »

Clonakilty would be a perfect base for you while in West Cork. There is a new West Cork tourism app which was launched recently which is supposed to be pretty good, you can check it out at http://explorewestcork.ie/ ( I have no affilliation with this)

Clonakilty is perfect. Lovely beach at Inchdoney, Model railway for the (inevitable) rainy day etc
Look out for the pig racing in Timolegue during its festival

Balmed Out

have a look at the rates in the quality hotel in clonakilty. Place is perfect for kids with a jungle play area, computer room, games room, swimming pool and cinema all on site. They rent out holiday houses too. Google the Ardfield, Timoleague, Kilbrittain, Courtmacsherry, Bandon and Rosscarberry festivals - if youre over during July or August there would surely be at least one of them on.

chester3455

Oyster haven near kinsale is a great adventure centre you can rent kayaks or just go swimming at the small beach lovely views and bay