The Sheep's Head

The quietest of West Cork's peninsulas. A loop from Bantry out along Dunmanus Bay to the end of the road at Sheep's Head, and back along the Goat's Path, high above Bantry Bay.

The drive

From Bantry the road runs south to Durrus, at the head of Dunmanus Bay, and out along the peninsula's southern shore. At Ahakista there's a memorial garden by the water to the 329 people who died on Air India Flight 182, which came down off this coast in 1985. Beyond Kilcrohane the road narrows and climbs to its end, where a path sets off on foot for the lighthouse.

Coming back, the Goat's Path turns off over the hill from Kilcrohane and runs along the north side, high above Bantry Bay, with the mountains of Beara across the water, all the way back to Bantry.

Worth knowing

• The roads are narrow and quiet, with grass up the middle in places. Meet a tractor, and someone will be reversing.
• From the car park at the end of the road, a path goes out to the lighthouse on the tip.
• The Goat's Path is best late in the day, with the sun going down over Beara.