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Located 7 miles west of Kinsale, Old Head is a 220-acre promontory that raises high above the dramatic cliffs and surrounding by the crashing Atlantic on all sides. Looking like a swollen thumb jutting out to sea, it is connected to the mainland by a very narrow strip of land.
Remnants of castles, churches, and dwellings built by monks during medieval times are abundant, with Stone of Accord the most famous one. For centuries, tradesmen and married couples have linked their fingers through the hole of this circular stone to seal their contracts.
Old Head lighthouse lit the way for seafarers who crisscross the same water where a German U-boat sank the British passenger ship Lusitania in 1915. Many American lives were lost in the sinking, and because the Lusitania was never officially in government service, the United States believed the attack "was contrary to international law and the conventions of all civilized nations". This was the most dramatic incident in the conflicts over German submarine warfare and the turning point that brought the U.S. into WWI.
The weather at Old Head is very moody, one minute glowing, the next pouring, and the wind always blowing. The day we were up there, the local folks advised us that if we find ourselves on the headland when fog sweep over, stop walking and wait until the sky become clear lest us fall off a cliff into the sea. Leave a Comment
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This is one of my favourite places in County Cork, this windswept rocky promontory reaching out into the ocean. There is a lighthouse at the end of it but you can't get to it - the road ends with a gate a long time before it and a fence on both sides tells you in no uncertain terms you won't be welcome there. Unless... unless you join the exclusive golf club, which has its golf course at the tip of the cliff. Just EUR 250 and you can drive in.
We didn't of course - Katherine parked the car in the small car park by the gate and off we went to explore the cliff. It was lovely - the lush grass dotted with masses of white and yellow flowers looked so soft and inviting. Coming to the edge of the cliff, we saw the rugged rocks and heard the cries of seabirds nesting on them. There is a colony of seabirds including kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills on the cliff but it would be best to observe them from the sea as the rocks seem to be inaccessible. The wind was so strong that a sudden gust nearly pushed me off the cliff, but the place was great. To me, it brought back memories of Cornwall, buried deep in my mind years ago. Here they were again - the cliff, the jagged rocks, the seagulls and the invigorating wind.
There is a ruined tower or castle wall nearby and another a little further up the hill. I still keep wondering what they were and why they had to fall into oblivion, like all things, sooner or later. Only the cliff must look as it looked centuries ago and, hopefully, there will always be people who will admire the wonderful scenery. Leave a Comment
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I wasnt sure where to put this entry as first of all, the Old Head has been sectioned off and turned into a very posh golf course. The views are great but you can only gaze from the gates of the golf course. You cant just walk in to the golf course, it costs 250 euros per round!! It's not v popular Leave a Comment
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