Sheep's Head

For other uses, see Sheepshead (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 51°32′24″N 9°51′03″W / 51.54000°N 9.85083°W / 51.54000; -9.85083

Sheep's Head, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland
Sheep's Head Way, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Sheep's Head, also known as Muntervary (Irish: Rinn Mhuintir Bháire), is the headland at the end of the Sheep's Head peninsula - a European Destination of Excellence - situated between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay in County Cork, Ireland.

The peninsula is popular with walkers, and the Sheep's Head Way is an 88 km long-distance trail which follows old tracks and roads around the peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back. The trail is very accessible and is well signposted (see image on right). The route combines low and rugged hills with coastline and cliffs.

The walkway is very straightforward and can be walked during any time between April and October.[1] The trail is divided into eight stages—each representing a half-day's walking. Among those responsible for establishing the Sheep's Head Way were Tom Whitty, an American, local farmer James O’Mahony, and Jim Leonard.

The Sheep's Head Way network of trails includes 20 looped walks, and extends eastwards to include Kealkill, Drimoleague and Gougane Barra where it intersects with the Beara-Breifne Way.

A Sheep's Head Way cycle trail also exists, and begins in Ballylickey, Co. Cork. It extends around the coastline of the Sheep's Head peninsula, and ends in Ballydehob.

The peninsula has three villages, Durrus (six miles from Bantry), Ahakista (twelve miles from Bantry), and Kilcrohane (sixteen miles from Bantry). Durrus has been identified as one of the key staging posts on the Wild Atlantic Way driving route along the Irish coastline and is the home to Durrus Cheese.

Awards

The community here is recognised for its commitment to responsible tourism, and the peninsula was named as a European Destination of Excellence for Sustainable Tourism in 2009. In March 2015, the Sheep's Head won Silver at the Irish Responsible Tourism Awards, and is longlisted for 'Best Destination' in the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2015.

The area's tourism cooperative won a special judge's commendation at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards in 2015.

Archaeology

Durrus

Kilcrohane

Natural History

In Literature

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sheep's Head Peninsula

External links

Wild Atlantic Way

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