Activities in County Cork
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Durrus Cheese
Call in at Durrus Cheese to see cheese-making in action. Founder Jeffa Gill is happy to talk visitors through the process of making her much-lauded creamy, rich rounds, which are for sale. Be sure to call ahead if you want to visit (the best times are 10.30am to noon Thursday and Friday). Follow the Ahakista road out of Durrus for 500m; turn right at the church and keep going for 3km until you see the dairy’s sign.
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Aquaventures Dive Centre
Aquaventures Dive Centre charges €65 for a full day’s diving, and also offers diving and accommodation packages in the attached B&B; contact the centre for prices. There’s some excellent diving to be had on the reefs around Fastnet Rock; the waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream and a number of shipwrecks lie nearby.
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Old Jameson Distillery
The big attraction in town is the Old Jameson Distillery. Coachloads pour in to tour the restored 200-year-old building and purchase bottles from the gift shop. Exhibits and tours explain the process of taking barley and creating whiskey (Jameson is today made in a modern factory in Cork).
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Kinsale Harbour Cruises
For sailings to Charles Fort, James Cove and up the Bandon River phone Kinsale Harbour Cruises. Departure times vary through the year and are weather dependent - check the website or with the tourist office for details. The boats leave from Denis Quay on Pier Rd, at the southern end of town.
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Chléire Goats
For everything you need to know about goat husbandry, contact Ed Harper at Chléire Goats, based at a farm west of the church. He makes ice cream and cottage cheese, available for tastings, and runs half-day (€35) to week-long courses on goat keeping.
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Schull Watersport Centre
The Schull Watersport Centre hires out sailing dinghies (€60 per half-day) and snorkelling gear (€15 per day), and can arrange sea-kayaking sessions (a two-hour session costs €30) plus other activities, like sailing lessons.
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Swimming
The bay is good for swimming, albeit in a bracing sort of way. The sandy Blue Flag beach at Inchydoney Island, 4km from town, is good too, but watch out for the dangerous riptide; when lifeguards are on duty a red flag indicates danger.
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George Plant Minibus Tours
George Plant Minibus Tours operates various tours from June to September. Trips include Mizen Head, the Beara Peninsula and Gougane Barra Forest Park. They only run if there are sufficient numbers.
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West Cork Sailing Centre
The West Cork Sailing Centre offers numerous ways to get out on the water. A half-day on a skippered sailing boat costs €160; kayak rental is €12 per hour.
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Ballycumisk Riding School
Horse- and pony-trekking and trap rides are available at the Ballycumisk Riding School, outside Schull on the way to Ballydehob, for €30 per hour.
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West Cork Surf School
The West Cork Surf School is based at the sandy Blue Flag beach at Inchydoney Island, 4km from town, should you fancy a ride on the waves.
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Eigse Literary Festival
Writing workshops, readings and exhibitions in February. Details available from the Munster Literature Centre.
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Road Train
A road train leaves from the West Cork Model Railway Village on a 20-minute commentated circuit of Clonakilty.
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Slow Food Ireland
Promotes and supports local artisan producers, with cheese tastings and other events throughout the year.
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Herlihy's Guided Tour
An entertaining stroll through the town's history, Herlihy's Guided Tour leaves from the tourist office.
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Mylie Murphy's
For those interested in fishing, tackle can be hired at Mylie Murphy's for around €10 per day.
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Gourmet Festival
Tastings, meals and harbour cruises in early October add to the town's foodie reputation.
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Whale of a Time
Whale of a Time offers weekend coastal cruises from around €20/€15 per adult/child.
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Kinsale Fringe Jazz Festival
Chilled-out entertainment over the late-October bank-holiday weekend.
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Corona Cork Film Festival
Eclectic week-long programme of international films held in October.
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Titanic Trail
Michael Martin's 1¼-hour guided walk leaves from the Commodore Hotel on Westbourne Pl, with a free sampling of stout at the end. Martin also runs a ghoulish Ghost Walk.
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