This year we have two West Cork History Festival events in June and August.
On 9 June we will be at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. Their address is
19 Dawson Street,
Dublin 2
D02 HH58
Phone: +353 1 6090600
Please visit their website to find out more about how to get there.
On 9 August we will be at Liss Ard Estate near Skibbereen.
The address is:
Castletownsend Rd
Russagh, Skibbereen
Co. Cork P81 NP44
Parking is available close to the main hotel building at Liss Ard where the event will take place.
Getting to Skibbereen
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 and take the first exit signposted Castletownshend. Liss Ard is about 5 minutes drive on the right.
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 first exit towards Castletownshend and Liss Ard is about a mile along that road on the right.
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 in West Cork
There is a wide range of visitor accommodation in the area, but it is advisable to book early as August is peak tourist season.
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.