There’s plenty for children to do when you choose Ballylickey as the base for your holiday. You might choose to spend time investigating the local beaches and coves, see the seals on your way to Garinish Island in Glengarriff, or visit the playgrounds and attractions close by. For older children, there’s kayaking, Bikeability-certified cycle training, and the chance to try zorbing and paintballing.
Happy Days!
Beaches
Snámh
The small beach at Snámh is under 10 minutes’ drive from Primrose Cottage. Snámh is the Irish word for ‘swimming’, so it’s clearly been a popular place on summer days for a very long time! If you drive towards Glengarriff, you’ll see this beach from the road after you leave Ballylickey.
The pier – a turn before the beach – is a very popular spot for teenagers and experienced swimmers who enjoy diving there.
Barleycove
For a longer trip, the beach at Barleycove – 50 minutes’ drive away – on the Mizen peninsula is a wonderful place to spend a day. It has been voted one of the world’s best unspoilt beaches, and a stop for lunch in nearby Crookhaven, or one of the other charming villages along the Mizen, will complete your day out.
Families will also get a great thrill out of making their way across the new Mizen bridge to the lighthouse which provides the reports on the Fastnet Rock, made so famous by the English shipping forecast. The bridge recently won the public vote for Ireland’s best engineering project of 2011, and the Maritime Museum here is an entertaining and educational place to visit on your trip to Mizen Point.
Playgrounds
There are two excellent children’s playgrounds near to Primrose Cottage: one is on your right on the road into Bantry, and the second can be seen on your left as you make your way into Glengarriff village. Nearby Schull and Baltimore also have excellent playgrounds with sea views.
Cinema
The Cinemax is Bantry is a good place to be able to go if the weather turns against you.
Swimming Pools
There’s a public pool and leisure complex in Dunmanway. Non-members can visit the private pool at the Westlodge Hotel Leisure Centre, just outside Bantry.