The West Cork History Festival takes place this year at the beautiful and historic Inish Beg between Skibbereen and Baltimore.
The full address is:
Inish Beg
Creagh
Baltimore
County Cork
P81 CX60
Ireland
+353 (0)87 356 1871
westcorkhistoryfestival@gmail.com
Food & Drink
Excellent West Cork food will be on offer throughout the Festival. There will also be a coffee truck and a bar.
Parking
Plentiful parking is available at Inish Beg, just follow the signs when you arrive. Wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments should contact the Festival organisers in advance to arrange parking closer to the Festival venue by email at westcorkhistoryfestival@gmail.com or by phone +353 (0)87 3561871
Directions
By air
The nearest airport is Cork (80 km away), but you can also fly into Shannon (220 km) and Dublin (350 km) airports. For directions from Cork Airport see below.
By ferry
Ferries from UK to Rosslare, or from UK to Dublin Port, then approximately a three hour drive from either to Skibbereen.
By car
From Cork City (and other points east)
Take the N71 west, heading for West Cork and Skibbereen; the route is pretty straightforward, and you will pass through Bandon and Clonakilty on the way. At Skibbereen follow the one way system to the Regal Roundabout with LIDL. Take the second exit continuing on the R596 in the direction of Baltimore. Follow this road for approx 6 km then turn right into Inish Beg Estate (signposted on the right hand side).
From Cork Airport
As you leave the airport complex (there are two roundabouts within it), take the third exit from the roundabout on to the R600 Kinsale Road. Follow this road for about three miles, before coming to a junction (a sort of oblique crossroad) at Fivemilebridge where you take the right-hand turn on to the R613. This leads you through a village called Ballinhassig. Pass straight through and as you climb a hill on the far side you will see a turn to the left to join the N71 which is the main road west to Skibbereen.
At Skibbereen follow the one way system to the Regal Roundabout with LIDL. Take the second exit continuing on the R596 in the direction of Baltimore. Follow this road for approx 6 km then turn right into Inish Beg Estate (signposted on the right hand side).
From Rosslare
From the ferry port follow signs to Wexford, and then before you get to Wexford itself, follow signs to Waterford, New Ross and Dungarven (don’t go into Wexford). There is at least one toll on the road around Waterford. You will soon pick up signs to Cork City.
Public Transport
Buses run from Cork City to Skibbereen - further information and timetables can be found here https://www.buseireann.ie/
Taxis
We recommend the following local taxi firms
Alwyn Harris 028 22296 or 086 250 4255
and
Blue Sky Cabs 086 8835725
Where to Stay
There is a wide range of visitor accommodation in the area, but it is advisable to book early as August is peak tourist season.
Baltimore is a short drive from the Festival venue, Skibbereen is 15 minutes drive, Ballydehob is about 20 minutes and Schull 30 minutes drive. All have accommodation of varying kinds, and the following sites have listings:
http://www.skibbereen.ie/business-directory-category/accommodation/
http://www.baltimore.ie/where-to-stay
http://www.ballydehob.ie/accommodation-in-ballydehob/
http://www.schull.ie/category/where-to-stay/
And airbnb currently has availability for the weekend of the Festival, both to rent individual rooms within houses and to rent whole properties.