A break in rural Ireland to experience the quality 'Irish' welcome, good food and entertainment provides a wonderful holiday. My name is Nan McCarthy and I will be your host at Harbour Crest. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Harbour Crest B&B, a magnificent
haven situated near Kinsale on the coastline in the County of Cork.

For the active visitor there are plenty of pastimes including golf, walking, cycling, watersports and angling in close proximity. If a more relaxing break is your cup of tea, there are a selection of safe and sandy beaches and miles of unspoilt coastline for you to enjoy, be it just birdwatching or taking in the spectacular scenery. There are also a variety of restaurants where you can taste great food and lively pubs where you can enjoy a sing-a-long with the local people.

I have been accommodating visitors to Cork/Ireland for over three decades now. My family and I have therefore developed a distinguished tradition of hospitality, service, care and a reputation in the tourist industry. My farmhouse is approved by Bord Failte, Le Guide du Routard and recommended by Brittany Ferries.

First time visitors to Harbour Crest B&B will experience a unique encounter with nature and will learn of the rich Irish culture and share the secret of the relaxed family lifestyle which makes Ireland such a special location. Our aim is to make each and everyone of our visitor's holiday a very memorable one. We are always concerned with helping them to learn about the Irish traditions, about the cherished customs of rural  living and the relaxing pace of life. All this can be experienced together with picturesque scenery, a clean and healthy environment and delicious farmhouse food.

Cork County itself offers a great diversity of cultural and leisure activities. Its many festivals include the Kinsale Gourmet Festival, the International Choral Festival, Bantry Mussel Fair and the Cork Film and Jazz Festivals. Also one cannot afford to miss a visit to Blarney Castle where one can kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the 'gift of the gab'.

I hope to see you at Harbour Crest B&B where you will be guaranteed a very enjoyable stay!

West Cork
West Cork is full of beautiful towns and villages. Below is a brief introduction to some of the beautiful scenic areas in the vicinity of Kilbrittain and the surrounding localities.

Kilbrittain
Kilbrittain nestles quietly in the coastal woodlands south of Bandon. The main beaches in the area are Harbour View, Coolmaine, Howes Strand and Burren. Kilbrittain Castle (C1035AD) is romantically located amid wooded hills, glens and beaches overlooking Kilbrittain Bay. The castle is now privately owned. In 1500 one of the great Irish manuscripts, The Book of the McCarthy Reigh or The Book of Lismore, was written here by the monk O'Cleary, one of The Four Masters. This Book can now be found in the National Museum in Dublin.


Coolmaine Castle
Coolmaine Castle is presently owned by Roy Disney. He regularly spends time holidaying in the area.

Courtmacsherry
Courtmacsherry is a charming fishing and sea-side resort, situated just across the bay from Harbour Crest. Many local artists and craft people live there. The coastal walks are a bird-watchers paradise as over 200 species of birds have been recorded between Courtmacsherry and Rosscarbery.

Timoleague
Timoleauge is the next village along the coast road R600. It takes its name from the Gaelic Tigh Mo Laga, the house of Saint Mo Laga, who founded a monastic settlement in the 6th century. The Franciscan abbey was built in 1240AD by the sea on the site of Saint Mo Laga's cell. The abbey was burnt in 1642 by Lord Forbes. Today it is a graveyard for local people. A visit to Timoleague Castle Gardens, where the peacocks strays with delicate feet upon old terraces, is a must.

Clonakilty
Clonakilty has been designated as West Corks Heritage Town by Bord Failte. We would recommend that you visit the Model Village which is built to scale. It is located off the Inchydonney Road.


Bandon
Just 15 minutes drive from Kilbrittain is Bandon, a flourishing town and the Gateway to West Cork. There is a beautiful white water weir and wildlife sanctuary offering every visitor scenic views and leaping salmon.

Kinsale (Tides Head)
Kinsale retains its old world charm and character as well as its fine reputation for fishing and good food, the Old Head of Kinsale Light House and golf course. Kinsale is reputed to be Ireland's oldest town where the  earliest inhabitants settled. This historic sea port is a renowned angling centre. To fish the wreck of the Lusitania passenger ship, which was torpedoed by a German submarine 9 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in 1917, is the dream of many a dedicated angler.

A wide variety of water-based sports are available. Oysterhaven - Ireland's major windsurfing centre is situated within 6 miles of Kinsale. Kinsale also boasts a scuba diving school offering spectacular dives off the Old Head of Kinsale. Kinsale harbour is one of Ireland's most scenic harbours and
is port-of-call to a large number of visiting craft. Apart from it's water amenities, Kinsale offers an adventure into good food. The gourmet centre of Ireland, this small seaside resort is remarkably endowed with a proliferation of small owner-run establishments.

Garretstown
Garretstown is situated by a fine beach and fascinating views of the Atlantic Ocean, Garretstown also has a Hotel and Pitch and Putt course.

Glengarriff
Glengarriff is the gateway for touring the glorious countryside of the South Coast, and the motorist can enjoy trips to Healy Pass, Mizen Head, Ring of Kerry, Gougane Barra and the Lakes of Killarney to name but a few.

There is no doubt that when it comes to sports and recreation, visitors can experience the very best of fishing in lakes, rivers, sea fishing, boat trips and bathing in the plentiful, safe coves and inlets in the bay.

The tranquil scenery adds greatly to a relaxing game of golf. A visit to Glengarriff would not be complete without a trip to Garnish Island, a garden island, and suitably known as "Paradise Garden". Only by a short trip by boat to the island, the visitor can enjoy the various and brillance of the Italian Gardens. Plants from virtually every part of the world grow here and due to the mildness of the climate flowers are always
in blossom.

Baltimore

The delightful village of Baltimore lies on the charming South West coast of Ireland in scenic West Cork. It is a great favourite among tourists for its spectacular scenery, unspoilt beauty and tranquil way of life. The village is renowned for its sailing and maritime traditions and is ideal for those interested in water-based activities such as visiting Cape Clear with its beautiful scenery and wild birdlife. Baltimore has two sailing schools as well as two diving schools and also its famous Sailing Club. Sea Angling boats can be hired in the harbour.

Bantry
Bantry is delightfully situated, sheltered by a background of mountain ranges at the head of the world-famous Bantry Bay, one of the most beautiful bays that adorn the coasts of Europe. Bantry is, in fact, the ideal base for exploring this totally unspoilt and romantic land of the South-West. Bantry is an old town with many historical connections, the most interesting being the formidable French Armada of 1796.

County Cork
Cork is the largest of all the Irish counties, and in many ways the most varied. Rich farmlands and river valleys contrast with the wild sandstone hills of the west. The county's magnificent coastline has been shaped by the unforgiving Atlantic into great bays and secret coves, spectacular rocky headlands and long soft golden strands. Kinsale, half an hour west of Cork city, is one of the prettiest small towns in Ireland and is world famous for its cuisine.

The town's annual Gourmet Festival attracts food lovers from far and wide. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle houses the  renowned Blarney Stone. Millions of visitors come to the castle each year to kiss this stone and receive the magical eloquence legend has it that the stone bestows. Cork city takes its name from the marshy land on the banks of the River Lee - the Irish form of its name means marsh - on which St. Finbarr founded a monastery around AD 650.

The city's narrow alleys, waterways and Georgian architecture give it a distinctly Continental feel. Since the 19th century, when Cork was a base for the National Fenian movement, the city has had a reputation for political rebelliousness. Today, this mood is reflected in the city's attitude to the arts and its bohemian spirit, which is very much in evidence at the lively annual jazz festival in October.

Guests Comments
 

“A darling place and a warm welcome and spectacular view.” Daniel & Cindy Barkley, Ohio, USA