Whether you crave great music, lovely scenery, gentle walks or just that unique Irish ‘craic’ which widens the smile almost as soon as one lands, then our new West Cork tour is definitely for you.
The West Cork Chamber Music Festival, held in various churches, schools and Bantry House, presents a wide range of musical offerings, all performed to a high standard by local and international artists.
During our visit, we attend 7 Festival performances - read more.
On our reconnaissance, we:
So please join us for this testament to all that is precious in Irish music and its people.
After meeting at Cork airport in the afternoon, we drive cross country (1.5 hrs) to our lakeside family run hotel in the Gougane Barra Forest Park. Our route takes us through the village of Beal na blath, best known as the site of the occasionally drunken ambush of the Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins in 1922 in a running battle lasting some hours.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
Setting off on foot from the hotel, our morning circular walk (6 km) follows forest trails through the scenic Gougane Barra valley in the Shehy Mountains. Returning to the lake, we pause at St. Finbarr’s Oratory, built in a picturesque setting on the site of the original hermitage established by St. Finbarr, the 6th century bishop of Cork.
Following an hour’s walk in the Glengarriff Nature Reserve, we board a ferry for a short ride to the Garinish Island. This 37-acre island in Bantry Bay is home to the Ilnacullin walled garden, designed in 1910 by Harold Peto who was also responsible for Iford Manor and West Dean House. Benefiting from a favourable, mild humid micro-climate, it displays an array of sub-tropical plants in a magnificent setting.
In the afternoon, we check in at our hotel for 3 nights and head for our first two events of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, held in various churches, schools and Bantry House in Bantry. The Festival presents a wide range of musical offerings, all performed to a high standard by native and international artists.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
Our morning 6-km linear walk starts at the 12-arch railway viaduct at Ballydehob, a monumental remainder of the Schull – Skiberdeen Tramway which operated between 1886 and 1947. We finish by another striking feature of the coastline, the peach-coloured 15th century tower house known as Kilcoe Castle, currently owned by Jeremy Irons and his wife.
In the afternoon we attend three concerts of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
This morning we embark on a 3 hour Marine Wildlife Tour of Bantry Bay aboard a motor boat, complete with facilities and an open viewing deck with a canopy. We search for white tailed sea eagles, dolphins, porpoises, seals, lobsters, crabs, starfish, and possibly minke whales.
On the closing day of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, we attend the afternoon Young Musicians Platform. It is held in St. Brandon’s church and gives the participants of young masterclasses an opportunity to perform pieces they have been studying. The calibre of these Gen Z performers gives one hope for the future of classical music.
The traditional closing event is the ‘Concert of three halves’ held in Bantry House with its wonderful views over the Bay and gardens. During the second interval, the grand piano is removed and taken for storage, a performance in its own right.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
The fine Bronze Age Drombeg Stone Circle and the adjacent Fulacht Fiadh (an ancient cooking place) are situated on a small ridge overlooking the coast. Further east are the Castle Freeke Woods where our walk takes us through an historic private estate with atmospheric ruins overlooking the Long Strand.
The Michael Collins House in Clonakilty is a museum dedicated to the Irish revolutionary hero. Interestingly, while it is known that Michael Collins lived on Emmet Square, the location of this informative museum, it has not been conclusively confirmed which house he lived in.
Our final destination today is the foodie hotspot of County Cork (and possibly the whole of Ireland), Kinsale, where we stay for 2 nights.
We start today by exploring the Courtmacsherry Bay. After a circular 5-km walk on the south shore of the Argideen river estuary, we investigate the extensive remains of the Timoleague Friary, a Franciscan monastery built in Gothic style and abandoned in the 17th century.
In the afternoon, we visit the moving Lusitania museum and memorial garden. The tragic event took place 11 nautical miles off the coast of Ireland in May 1915 and the museum is the owner of the wreck itself as of 2021.
The star shaped Charles Fort in Kinsale is one of Ireland’s largest military installations and a witness to important events of history. It is remarkably well preserved and offers great views of Kinsale harbour and its older sibling, James Fort, across the river.
A short transfer to Cork airport concludes our tour.
£780 double for single room supplement
Please note that the single room supplement is imposed by the hotels and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable. We endeavour to obtain double rooms for single occupancy whenever possible.
Top category tickets for 7 festival concerts
VALUE FOR MONEY - SO MUCH IS INCLUDED
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
2 nights in Gougane Barra ∙ 3 nights near Bantry ∙ 2 nights in Kinsale
Visa and Health Requirements
Visitors from the UK, EU, US, Australia, Canada & New Zealand require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Ireland. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Irish Embassy or call our office.
Normally, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Ireland. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents. If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 guests.
