Castletownbere Cork

Castletownbere in County Cork Ireland

The Principle town along the Beara Peninsula, Castletownbere is home to one of Ireland's largest fishing fleets. A characterful town along the Ring of Beara route and a good base for exploring the peninsula.

 

Castletownbere Port

Castletownbere is Ireland’s largest white fishing port and the 2nd-safest natural harbour in the world – with over 20,000 tons of fish are exported annually to Europe and Japan.

Castletownbere is a bustling town with a down to earth atmosphere, nestled by the deep water port of Berehaven overlooking Bere Island, in the far west of County Cork. The main focal point of the town is its busy harbour, a haven for fishing crews from the Ireland and Europe, which in the summer months are joined by many colourful sailing boats.

Castletownbere in County Cork southwest of Ireland and according yo Wikipedia data, Castletownbere population was 860 in 2016. If you are interested in the history of Castletownbere, then please check this document by Pure Cork and below is also the classis map of the historic Castletownbere by them.

 

Map of the Historic Castletownbere Town

 

Things to do in Castletownbere.

• Bars and Rstaurants in Castletownbere Town

The other focal point is the town's many characterful bars in particular MacCarthy's Bar in the centre of the town. Anyone who has read Pete MacCarthy's best-selling book on Ireland 'MacCarthy's Bar' will instantly recognise the bar in Castletownbere that features on the front cover of the book. Though there may be a few more tourists than before, you'll be pleased to know it has changed little since Pete MacCarthy visited. One half of the bar still sells groceries, they still do great ham and cheese toasties and it still pulls a great pint!

• Ferry to Bere Islands from Castletownbere.

Ferries leave Castletownbere for Bere Island, the largest of the West Cork Islands with a population of just 210. Bere Island accounts for 21km of the Beara Way, a way marked path along the Beara Peninsula. The island was a key military installation for the British, who built a number of Martell Towers and Gun Batteries whose ruins dot the landscape.

• Dereenataggart Stone Circle

Around Castletownbere there are a number of impressive megalithic sites such as the Dereenataggart Stone Circle, ten stones seemingly as old as time and 8km from the town in a perfectly remote location is the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Retreat Centre.

• Puxley Manor Castletownbere

Visit the Puxley Manor, built in 1730 by wealthy landlords and copper mine owners. Puxley Mansion, also known as Puxley's House, Puxley Castle, Puxley Manor or Dunboy Castle, lies on a hillside west of the town of Castletownbere, in County Cork in Ireland.

• Water Sports Castletownbere

Castletownbere is the hub of a number of activities from water sports and sea angling or Scuba dive in the harbor and get close and personal with all the unique aquatic life.

• Cara Mountains Walks

Explore Cork mountains by walking in the Cara Mountains. The Beara Way -Cara mountain walk is a long-distance trail in the southwest of Ireland. It is a 206-kilometre long circular trail around the Beara Peninsula that begins and ends in Glengarriff, County Cork, also passing through parts of County Kerry. It is typically completed in nine days.

• Berehaven Harbor

Anchor your yacht in Berehaven Harbor, the second largest natural harbor in the world. 

• Beara Way Cycling Route

If you prefer cycling then there is no better way then getting on the cycle and exploring the Beara Way Cycling Route along the coast. The entire route is 183 kms. There is no start or finish so you can join the route in any town and village on the peninsula.

• Berehaven Golf Club

Berehaven Golf Club in Cork is located along the Wild Atlantic Way. It's a great golf course with stunning ocean views and rugged coastal scenery in the Beara Peninsula, South-west of Ireland.

• Dursey Island Tour

Dursey Island lies at the southwestern tip of the Beara Peninsula in the west of County Cork in Ireland. Dursey Island is 6.5 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide. Join the local walking tours to learn about folklore and local tradition whilst uncovering layers of history hidden within the landscape of this beautiful Peninsula.

• Garnish Beach

Garnish Beach, Stunning award winning beach at the southern tip of the Beara Peninsula with crystal clean blue Atlantic water lapping on to the soft sand. It is a white sandy beach with beautiful views over Dursey Island and Garnish Bay.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Castletownbere

What county is Castletownbere in?

Castletownbere in County Cork southwest of Ireland.

How far is Cork to Castletownbere?

Cork to Castletownbere is around 125 kilometers. The best mode of travel to Castletowmbere is by car or bus.

What is Castletownbere famous for?

Castletownbere is the largest fishing port in the country and the 2nd-safest natural harbour in the world.

What is the best time to visit Castletownbere?

From April to September when the days are long and the weather in castletownbere is generally fine.

When is the Castletownbere Festival of the Sea?

The Castletownbere Festival of the Sea in early August.

What to See in Castletownbere Cork?

• Bars and Rstaurants in Castletownbere Town

• Ferry to Bere Islands from Castletownbere.

• Dereenataggart Stone Circle

• Puxley Manor Castletownbere

• Water Sports Castletownbere

• Cara Mountains Walks

• Visit the Berehaven Harbor

• Beara Way Cycling Route

• Play at the Berehaven Golf Club

• Take  the Dursey Island Tour

• Get to the Garnish Beach