WALKING
There are a variety of walks that will suit all levels or walkers and hill walkers, many of them start right at our doorstep.
You can have access to our walking maps and Rita who knows the area very well can guide you to the best kept secrets.
Hill walks, cliff walks, river walks, shore walks- what more could walking women in Ireland ask for?
Click on Walking Week programme for further details on walking weeks.
WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING.
On a calm day and if the cetaceans oblige, it is possible to spot a variety of whales dolphins and porpoises that grace these waters.
In 2005, a healthy female North Atlantic Bottlenose Whale came to visit our cove and stayed for 5 days. This amazing creature measured about 8 meters long and Rita was able to get up close and personal in her kayak, an awe inspiring experience.
DZOGCHEN BEARA RETREAT CENTRE.
Daily meditation practice is open to the public at the Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre, just five miles west of Bellatrix. Situated in a dramatic cliff top location, you will have a view that you will never forget, on a rainy day you will have a view into yourself. www.dzogchenbeara.org/
HORSE RIDING.
Our friend Cathy who lives in the next village and owns a stable yard, is always happy to spend an afternoon trekking and exploring the local scenic area. Bring a packed lunch, stay out all day and get to know Beara on horseback
BIRDWATCHING.
West Cork is very rich in birdlife and can have some very interesting and rare visitors of the winged variety.
STONE CIRCLES.
Beara is renowned for its stone circles and standing stones dating back from 1500 to 500 B.C.
A twenty-minute cycle will take you to the beautiful Tirnahilan Stone Circle and Ring Fort and The Hag of Beara site at Kilcatherine is a wonderful place for rituals.
FISHING.
If fishing is your fancy, you can cast your line from the many designated angling spots in the locality. There is nothing like the freshness of the fish that you catch for yourself, part of our staple diet in the Summer.Ireland is a wonderful place for fishing.
BEACHES
A ten-minute walk from the house will take you to a secluded cove where you can swim and snorkel safely in the Atlantic.
There are two more beaches within a ten minute cycle from here.
There is a safe beach for windsurfing just 20 minutes by car.
CYCLING.
It is a 'hilly' experience to cycle in Beara but an exciting one and no better way to get close to nature. You can rent bicycles from the local town.
GOLF
Ireland is a haven for women who love Golf. Within an hours drive you can have a choice of three different first class golfing facilities. The local golf course is a challenging nine hole course with eighteen tee boxes.
THE ISLANDS
You can take a day trip by ferry to Bere Island or take Ireland's only cable car to Dursey Island. You will have to stand in the queue because the cows and sheep have preference over the tourists for the use of the cable car! Seeing is believing and the journey across is an experience in itself.
SAILING
If you haven't sailed before and always wanted to then why not sign up for a sailing course at the west cork sailing school in adrigole.
You will have great fun, learn a new skill and hopefully get to see some marine life.
www.westcorksailing.com
KAYAKING
Relax and enjoy sea kayaking in Ireland. Paddle along the shoreline, canoe with the seals and view the coastline from a different perspective,
Check out Sea Kayaking West Cork for details of half day and full day excursions.
www.seakayakingwestcork.com