Bonane Heritage Park

West Cork Calling member, Bonane Heritage Park, was one of the finalists in the Heritage and Environment category of the Kerry Community awards held on 24th April, 2008. The Heritage Park has been chosen as Kerry’s entry into the Pride of Places Awards final to be held in November.

Situated in the spectacularly scenic Caha Mountains, Bonane offers visitors a multitude of activities including hill walking, cycling, fishing, swimming, golf and sea sports. Bonane’s proximity to the warm gulf stream results in its sub tropical climate giving an abundance of rare wild flowers and fauna. Bonane links the RIng of Kerry and the Ring of Beara.

Bonane is steeped in ancient history being home to over 250 archaeological sites. Some of these have major astronomical significance. There is a stone circle in the townland of Dromagorteen as well as various tombs, standing stones, boulder burials and ring forts.

Baltimore Fiddle Fair

The annual Baltimore Fiddle Fair will take place from 8th to 11th May, 2008. For those interested in world class fiddle music, take yourself down to Baltimore. There are some great venues and settings with great music. There will be day time workshops, sessions and exhibitions complimenting the night time concerts.

This year’s events involve Irish master fiddlers, Martin Hayes, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Caoimhin O Raghallaigh, Brid Harper and Michelle O’Brien. US fiddle player Darol Anger, Cape Breton legend Jerry Holland, Norways Annbjorg Lien, Galician band Berroguetto, Dutch jazz fiddlerer Tim Kliphuis to name but a few name.

This event is supported by the Arts Council, Failte Ireland and Cork County Council. Further information is available on the website www.fiddlefair.com.

West Cork Calling has a number of members in Baltimore including Inishbeg self catering, Caseys of Baltimore, Aquaventures and Glebe Gardens.

Gougane Barra – Theatre by the lake

West Cork Calling member, The Gougane Barra Hotel, has launched its programme for The Theatre by the Lake festival for 2008 which has proved so popular in past years.

On 5th July and 3rd August, Fairbank Productions will host Tom Crean – The Antartic Explorer. The intrepid antartic explorer and one of Ireland’s unsung heroes, is brough to life in this dramatic and humorous solo perfomance by Aidan Dooley.

Due to popular demand, The Tailor and Ansty will return for three weeks in the month of August – Tuesday to Sunday nightly at 8.30pm sharp.

Tickets are euro 23 and seniors euro 18.

Interesting Packages

Stay, eat and attend (bed and breakfast, early bird dinner and show tickets) is euro 120 per person sharing. Add on an extra night’s accommodation to make it euro 175 per person sharing for 2 bed and breakfast, one early bird and a ticket to the teathre.

Swansea Cork Ferry

A new website has now been launched as a plea to re-introduce the Swansea Cork Ferry.  The website is www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com.   The route was suspended in the autumn of 2006.  The lack of a ferry is having an adverse impact on West Cork Tourism.

All of the West Cork Calling members have been impacted by the loss of this ferry.  For those who are accommodation providers, the lack of a ferry means that guests from the UK have to travel to Dublin or Rosslare for alternative routes.  They often cut short the length of their stay by one or two nights because of the travel distance involved to the ferry port added to the distance that they may have to travel once they arrive in Wales.

Since 2006 we have had much talk but no action regards a replacement.  It’s time to lobby for the ferry’s return!  West Cork is very much dependant on tourists from Scotland, England and Wales and for those coming for more than a weekend,  they need the option of driving.  We need to have the ferry reinstated.

The author, Catherine FitzMaurice of Kilbrogan House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering is a member of West Cork Calling

Self Catering

Failte Ireland has now provided more details about the new procedures for approving individual self catering properties in the future. The scheme features a star rating and a new online application process.

TAMS (Tourism Accommodation Management Services) will be the organisation responsiible for inspecting and approving new and existing properties on behalf of Failte Ireland.

Properties who enter the scheme will be eligible to use the term ‘Approved to Failte Ireland Standards’ and will continue to have access to discover ireland

A schedule of workshops has been set up across the country to familiarize self catering providers with the new structure.

West Cork Calling members offering self catering accommodation include Kilbrogan Coach House Self Catering in Bandon, Inchydoney Lodge and Spa, Clona Holiday Homes, Inishbeg and Coolbawn Lodge.

Pottery Courses

Why not take a pottery course in West Cork and discover the rewarding challenges of clay and the potter’s wheel. The courses run by the pottery course providers who are members of West Cork Calling are suited for old and young alike, beginners as well as those with advanced skills who wish to perfect the techniques of ceramic design and production.

The students work under the supervision of expert staff and courses range from as short as one day to one week. Tkae a look at what courses Rossmore Pottery, Kinsale Pottery and Crackpots have to offer and take the plunge. These courses are suited to groups as well as individuals.

West Cork Golf Courses

West Cork has a wonderful selection of golf courses to choose from to suit all abilities and preferences.

• Bandon Golf Club
• Bantry Bay Golf Club
  
• Berehaven Golf Club – 9 holes
• Dunmore Golf Club – 9 holes
• Glengarriff Golf Club
• Kenmare Golf Club
• Kinsale Golf Club
• Lee Valley Golf Club
• Lisselan Golf Club – 9 holes
• Macroom Golf Club
• Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club
• Skibbereen Golf Club

Some like the Old Head of Kinsale, Bantry Bay Golf Club, Berehaven, Glengariff, Dunmore and Kenmare all have views over the ocean whereas in others such as Bandon, Macroom and Lee Valley you have magnificent views over the countryside.

West Cork Calling member, Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa and the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club have joined together to offer interesting packages to the visitor.  Inchydoney also offers golf at Bandon, Dunmore (9 holes) and Lisselan (9 holes).

Bandon Golf Club is an 18 hole golf course about three miles from the town of Bandon.  One of the highlights is the hole next to the ruins of Castle Bernard.

Bantry Bay Golf Club is a West Cork Calling member.  It is an 18 hole course with fantastic views over the ocean arguably the best coastal golf experience at an affordable price!

Kinsale Golf Club is an 18 hole golf course just 3 miles from Kinsale

Lisselan is a nine hole golf club between Bandon and Clonakilty.  Golfers have to take a motorised raft from the 8th fairway to the green.

Skibbereen and West Carbery Golf Club has 18 holes is just a mile outside Skibbereen

West Cork Craft and Design Guild

West Cork Calling members, Rossmore Pottery, are part of the West Cork Craft and Design guild which celebrated its ten year anniversary in December, 2007.  There are 20 guild members and they all live and work in West Cork.  The guild has exhibited extensively at home in West Cork as well as in galleries in Dublin, Athlone, Sligo and the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny.

West Cork Music presents Sarah McQuaid at Bantry House

Sarah McQuaid is a singer, guitarist and song writer and will perform at Bantry House on Saturday, 3rd May, 2008.  She was born in Madrid, raised in Chicago and lived in Ireland from the mid 1900s until recently when she moved to Cornwall.

Bantry House is a member of west cork calling.

West Cork Literary Festival

The West Cork Literary Festival’s 10th anniversary will take place in Bantry between 6th and 12th July, 2008.  This year there will be seven days of readings, workshops, seminars, children’s events, exhibitions and music.  The festival will be opened at the Bantry Library on Sunday, 6th July by Senator Eoghan Harris.

There are a host of participants including Dervla Murphy, Alannah Hopkins,  Jennifer Johnston, Carlo Gebler, Julia van Middlesworth, John Waters and Colin Dexter

Cuban Theme for Kinsale Arts Week’s “Flavours of the Festival”

On Friday, 9th May, 2008, Ballinacurra House will open its doors to a limited number of people when Kinsale Arts Week hosts “Flavours of the Festival”

Cuba is the theme.  It will be an evening of music, salsa, food, film, fun and cocktails in the beautiful setting of Ballinacurra House.  You will get the chance to party the night away to the sounds of the brilliant Cuban band Havana Son.  There will be everything from salsa lessons, flamenco guitar, a buffet, a barbecue and even a suckling pig.

Tickets are available from West Cork Calling members, Friars Lodge and Kinsale Pottery

West Cork Fuchsia Brands

Fuchsia Brands Ltd is a development initiative of the West Cork LEADER cooperative society in partnership with local food and tourism sectors, the National Food Centre, CERT and Failte Ireland. The leader programme was first launched in 1992 and is funded by the Irish Government and part financed by the European Union under the National Development plan.

Regional Branding is increasingly recognised as a valuable aid to regions marketing their products. One of the main challenges facing West Cork has been the decline in economic activity as agricultural employment has continued to fall and there has been a drain in population to the cities. The food and tourism sectors are key strengths in the region and the Fuchsia evolved as a way of exploting these key strengths by creating a network.

The Fuchsia represents a symbol of quality for food and tourism products of the region. The products marketed under the Fuchsia Brand are firmly rooted in the unique traditions and influences of the region. High standards of product and service excellence reflect passion and enthusiasm and a strong commitment to training, networking and a code of best practice. Almost 200 businesses are now approved to use the logo.

The following West Cork Calling members are also members of Fuchsia Brands Ltd.

Kinsale Pottery and Art School

Rossmore Country Pottery – Clonakilty

Aquaventures, Baltimore

Courtmacsherry Sea Angling

West Cork Sailing, Adrigole

Kilbrogan House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering, Bandon

Caseys of Baltimore Hotel

Inchydoney Lodge and Spa

Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre, Clonakilty

Clona Holiday Homes, Clonakilty

Coolbawn Lodge,Skibbereen

Skibbereen Heritage Centre

Failte Ireland launches new classification system for self catering accommodation

On 9th April, 2008 Failte Ireland, the national tourism development board, issued a new classification system for individual self catering properties.  They believe that the new system will provide a more streamlined and consistent approach for the approval and marketing of self catering properties.

Participants who enter the scheme will be eligible to use the term ‘Approved to Fáilte Ireland Standards’ and will have access to www.discoverireland.ie.  Tourism Accommodation Management Services will be the body responsible for inspecting and approving the properties.

West Cork Calling members who offer self catering accommodation include Kilbrogan House Self Catering in Bandon, Inishbeg in Baltimore, Clona Holiday Homes in Clonakilty, The Quality Hotel in Clonakilty, Inchydoney Lodge and Spa and Bantry House and Gardens.

West Cork Cycle Tours

Rothar Cycle Tours is a member of West Cork Calling. The next West Cork Tour departs in May and takes in the West Cork peninsulas. The area around Bantry has breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery.

The base is Bantry, a market town that is home to two other West Cork Calling members namely, Bantry House and Bantry Bay Golf Club. The cycle tour will include Sheeps Head which is almost devoid of traffic, Mizen Head, one of Ireland’s most westerly points with Mount Gabriel and Schull, a busy yachting port in the summer. In land the tour will visit Lough Allua and the gaeltacht Irish epaking are of Ballingeary and nearby Gougane Barra with its monastic church and West Cork Calling member, The Gougane Barra Hotel.

West Cork Eco Tourism

There are a growing number of travellers seeking out environmentally friendly businesses that minimize pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage, landscaping chemicals and unnecessary use of power, eg night lights. Current human activity through its wasteful and inefficient use of natural resources has the potential to inflict permanent damage on the planet and problems that are emerging on a global scale include the depletion of the ozone layer, the decline of tropical forests and climate change.

Sustainable tourism seeks to reduce environmental impacts, particularly the use of non renewable resources and seeks to improve tourism contribution to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Many of the West Cork Calling members have been concentrating on providing environmentally friendly facilities. Inchydoney Lodge and Spa near Clonakilty secures well over 40 percent of its energy from a renewable resource and won The Sustainable Energy award for a Renewable Energy Project for 2007. The hotel developed a combination system of solar panels, wood pellet boiler and heat recovery system which make a sizeable impact in reducing their annual fuel bill.

The town of Clonakilty formed a Carbon Countdown group in December 2006 in response to the realization that global warming is happening. The aim of the group is to bring about local practical and sustainable action to address the issues.

Bantry House, another West Cork Calling member, made garden allotment space available within the walled garden of the estate.

Transition Town Kinsale is a voluntary community initiative working to help make the transition from dependency on fossil fuel to a low carbon future.

The Renewable Energy Information Office for Sustainable Energy Ireland is based at Shinagh House in Bandon.

Bantry Tourism

Two of the West Cork Calling members are located in Bantry, namely Bantry House and Gardens and The Bantry Bay Golf Club.

Bantry is a region of lush vegetation, palm trees and semi tropical flowers.  It is hemmed in by high mountain ridges.  The climate is very mild with the moist sea breezes providing a generous amount of rainfall.  The influence of the gulf stream has a pronounced effect on the vegetation in the surrounding area and encourages the growth of semi tropical plants that are not seen elsewhere in the country.

West Cork Calling member, Bantry Bay Golf Club has an 18 hole championship course with spectacular views over the water towards the Beara peninsula, Sheeps Head and the mizen peninsula.  The course is open all year.  The course architects were Eddie Hackett and Christy O’Connor jnr of Ryder Cup fame.  The course was founded in 1975 and more than 100 of the members reside abroad.

Bantry House is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay.  It is owned by the Shelswell White family who open the house to the public.  The rooms open to the public include drawing rooms with tapestries from Versailles, the dining room and the library.  Bed and Breakfast accommodation is provided in the East and West Wings of the house and all the rooms have fabulous views over the gardens.  Self Catering accommodation is provided in the gate lodge and there is a tea room which serves light lunches, teas and coffees etc.

West Cork Leader Funding

Under the heading of rural tourism, West Cork Leader provides assistance with and promotion of the development of a quality tourism product with emphasis on niche markets or special interest tourism. It has also provided funding for the implementation of a market strategy for each of the distinct marketable regions with the area of operation.

West Cork Leader encourages the achievement of economies of scale through effective use of cooperative marketing.

It provides assistance for the targeting of higher spending and/or longer stay visitors from identified source markets.

It looks at projects achieving a balance between the demands of the local community with the competing interest of external visitors and tourism operators.

Full details of all the projects supported to date and the amounts allocated can be found on West Cork Leaders website www.westcorkleader.ie/ruraltou.html. Projects supported under Rural Tourism include:-

PROJECT PROMOTER	LOCATION	PROJECT DESCRIPTION
West Cork Tourism	West Cork	Holiday world ‘96
John Hosford	Bandon	Exhibition Gardens
Bantry Bay ‘96	Bantry	Marketing
Schull Development Association	Schull	Development of Slipway
Lee Valley Enterprise Board	Macroom	Tourism Marketing
West Cork Tourism	West Cork	In-store promotion – Tallaght
Maggie Gliksten	Oysterhaven	Diving
Schull Backpackers Lodge	West Cork	Brochure design production & distribution for hostels
West Cork LEADER Co-op.	West Cork, Ownabue Valley	Holiday World ‘97
West Cork LEADER Co-op.	West Cork, Ownabue Valley	Holiday Ireland ‘97
West Cork Tourism	West Cork	Events Calendar
Jim Kennedy	Union Hall	Kayaks & associated equipment
West Cork Tourism	West Cork	Travel Trade attendance
Maggie Gliksten	Oysterhaven	Purchase of boat
Crookhaven Community Assoc.	Crookhaven	Marina Development
Macroom Jarveys	Macroom	Jarvey Service
River Ilen Anglers	Skibbereen	Angling
Darren Stock	Durrus	Development of Tropical House
Diamuid Minihane	Baltimore	Boat purchase
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Instore Promotion/dun Laoghaire
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Walking Festival
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Marketing
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Holiday World ‘98
Bandon Anglers Club	Bandon	River Development
Eagle Point	Ballylickey	Caravan site development
Baltimore Diving & Watersports	Baltimore	Purchase of boat & compressor
Argideen Anglers Assoc.	Timoleague	Disabled Access for anglers
Noel Walsh	Bantry	P&P clubhouse & course development
Sean Beechnor	Kinsale	Boat purchase
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Consumer Shows Abroad
Pat & Bernadette Crowley	Kinsale	Development of Music School
Destination West Cork	Schull	Brochure
Rosscarbery Community Council	Rosscarbery	Development of playground & amenity area
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	West Cork Brochure
West Cork Garden Trail	Durrus	Brochure
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Calendar of Events ‘98
James Dowling	Glengarriff	Caravan and camping park
Con Cadogan	Drimoleague	Self-catering accomodation
Macroom Pitch and Putt	Macroom	Facilities and equipment
Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt	Rosscarbery	Construction of two tennis courts
Aquaventures	Baltimore	Dive centre
Clonakilty Enterprise Board	Clonakilty	Visitor park development
Glengarriff Bamboo Park	Glengarriff	Tropical visitor garden
Miah O’Sullivan	Castletownbere	Self-catering accomodation
West Cork Tourism	Skibbereen	Marketing
Beara Tourism and Development Assoc.	Castletownbere	Water activities centre
Hungry Hill Hostel Ltd.	Adrigole	Tourist hostel
Kevin Heapes	Ballydehob	Establishment of golf school
West Cork Garden Trail	Durrus	Brochure update
Croi na Laoi	Inchigeelagh	Purchase of 5 boats and marketing
Bernie Coughlan	Ballydehob	Self-catering accomodation
Inniscarra Pitch and Putt Club	Inniscarra	Development of facilities
Actionpak Outdoor Activities Ltd.	Kinsale	Development of ATV adventure course
West Cork Sailing Centre Ltd.	Adrigole	Development of sailing school
Nora and Finbarr Herlihy	Inchigeelagh	Upgrade of bed and breakfast
Ballygarvan Pitch and Putt	Ballygarvan	Purchase of maintainance equipment
Kilmichael Pitch and Putt	Kilmichael	Upgrading facilities
Schull Development Association	Schull	Outdoor pursuits centre
Newcestown Pitch and Putt	Newcestown	Development of pitch and putt course
Courmacsherry Sailing and Leisure	Courtmacsherry	Development of sailing school
Macroom Pitch and Putt	Macroom	Purchase of equipment
Michael Williams	Skibbereen	Self-catering and purchase of boats
Mizen Vision	Goleen	Visitor centre
John W O’Sullivan	Allihies	Self-catering
Twelve Arch Hostel Ltd	Ballydehob	Tourist hostel
Crookhaven Harbour Sailing Club	Crookhaven	Development of clubhouse
Maritime Tourism Ltd.	Kinsale	Purchase of 6 boats
West Cork Coastal Cruises	Cape Clear	Purchase of boat for island cruising
Halfway Vintage Club	Halfway	Purchase of steam engine
Beara Tourism Development Assoc	Castletownbere	Development of cycling route
Seven Heads Millenium Walk	Barryroe	Development of walk route
Jim and Marie Lucey	Bandon	Bandon Leisure Centre
Noel & Elaine Spillane	Kilcrohane	Development of self-catering accomodation
Edward Sheehan	Allihies	Self catering accomodation
Co-Action Beara	Castletownbere	Visitor centre
Sheep’s Head Walk Dev. Comm.	Durrus	Development of loop walks
Sandscove Fishing Club	Ardfield	Development of slipway
Ahinagh Heritge Group	Ahinagh	Development of drive and cycle routes
Owenabue Valley Co-op	Carrigaline	Tourist information centre
The Briery Gap Theatre	Macroom	Theatre equipment
Carriganima Community Dev Assoc	Carriganima	Signage, brochure & video
Bantry Tidy Towns	Bantry	Installation of millwheel
Irish Amateur Rowing Union	Inniscarra	Development of facilities
Lee Valley Tourism	Macroom	Tourism Brochure
Bandon Chamber of Commerce	Bandon	Tourism Information Centre

Failte Ireland South West launches internet course for its members

Failte Ireland has developed an e-business programme to help small accommodation providers integrate computers and the internet into the daily management and promotion of their tourism business.  The sessions will be run between April and June, 2008 and the locations will include Killarney, Dingle, Cork and Kinsale.  There are introductory courses for those not familiar with the internet and an intermediate programme which will include search engine optimisation, email management, how to book online and how to get found online.

A euro 50 fee applies for those participating in the programme.

Ireland of the Welcomes Magazine is sold off

Many of the West Cork Calling members will be familiar with the Ireland of the Welcomes magazine, a publication distributed by Failte Ireland mainly in North America and continental Europe.  Last week Failte Ireland announced that it has sold the publication to Dublin based Harmonia Ltd which currently publishes the likes of Womans Way, Food and Wine magazine, Irish Tatler, Auto Ireland and Diarmuid Gavin’s Garden Designs.

The remit of Failte Ireland no longer includes promotion of tourism to Ireland as this now falls under the remit of Tourism Ireland.  Instead Failte Ireland’s focus is the development of tourism in Ireland hence the desire to part with the Ireland of the Welcomes magazine.

Author:  Catherine FitzMaurice, Kilbrogan House Bed and Breakfast and member of West Cork Calling

West Cork Food Festival

The Food Festival – A Taste of West Cork – will take place this year from 18th to 21st September, 2008 in Skibbereen, West Cork. West Cork Calling members, The Skibbereen Heritage Centre, Coolbawn Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Inish Beg and 10 island Tours in Baltimore will all be involved.Last year the festival was a great success. Highlights included a banquet at Liss Ard House which was sold out well before the event, a chocolate and coffee tasting evening, a family fun day, a 10 Islands tour of Carberys 100 islands, an open air street barbecue and an open air food and craft market.