Kilbrittain

Kilbrittain is a small village in West Cork, between Bandon, Kinsale and Clonakilty. The historic village lies on the Wild Atlantic Way. Walking trails, views of bays and places of remembrance give your stay different dimensions: you can get to know Kilbrittain through its landscape or take time to explore its local history.

Circular walks, each with its own character

The Rathclaren Walk starts and ends at Kilbrittain Village Park. Along the way, it passes Trinity Well and Rathclaren Church. The fixed start and end point makes the park a clear landmark for this circular walk; the stops along the way give the route a distinct connection to the village.

The Castle Walk follows a different route: this peaceful, 4 km circular walk passes through woodland and offers views of Kilbrittain Castle and Coolmain Bay. Its distance and route set it apart from a short visit to the village.

Trails towards the bay and scenic views

The Kiln Walk passes the ruins of Cloundereen Church and then heads towards Courtmacsherry Bay. The return to Kilbrittain is along quiet roads. This route combines a historic stop with a stretch towards the bay and a return to the village. The Estuary Walk offers a different experience: it follows blue waymarkers along quiet country roads and passes viewpoints overlooking Coolmain Beach and Harbour View Beach. If you’re choosing your outings based on whether you’d like to focus on woodland, ruins or views of beaches, you’ll find a range of ideas here.

Places of remembrance and local history

There is a 1916 Garden of Remembrance in the village. The 1916 Memorial Garden commemorates everyone who lost their lives on all sides during the struggle for independence. The ruins of the old parish church and graveyard are outside the walls of Kilbrittain Castle, on its north side, in the area known as the “church field”. Kilbrittain’s parish church is also part of the village’s history: on 10 June 1892, it was dedicated to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, by the Bishop of Cork, Most Rev. Dr O’Callahan.

Kilbrittain Castle was built by the de Courceys and is considered the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland. It was the main seat of the MacCarthy Reagh family; “Riabhach” means “dark-skinned”. The castle was built on the remains of an earlier O’Mahony fort. According to Bennett in the History of Bandon, this earlier fort was built in 1035. The date refers to the fort, not the castle.

Discoveries in the village

The complete skeleton of the Kilbrittain Whale is on display in Kilbrittain and can be visited free of charge all year round. It’s a special way to add another discovery to your day alongside walks and historic sites. Families can also enjoy a playground with separate areas for children under six and those aged 6 to 14. Adult exercise equipment and a sensory garden right next door complete the facilities. The age-based division can help you match your visit to the interests of different age groups, without implying that any particular trail is suitable for them.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider whether walking, village history or the range of things to do in the village will be the main focus of your stay. Kilbrittain brings these themes together without any single outing having to define the character of the place.

More destinations: Schull, Slievemore, Fermoy, Ballinhassig, Courtmacsherry, Gouladane, Charleville, Farran.

Back to the main travel overview: Cork.