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Placenames Tour: Explore West Cork's Scenic Walks
5.0
61 Ratings
Castlehaven Cross
Uncover the captivating stories behind the placenames of West Cork on a unique discovery tour. Explore the Wild Atlantic Way while learning about the diverse influences that shaped this stunning landscape.
Uncover the captivating stories behind the placenames of West Cork on a unique discovery tour. Explore the Wild Atlantic Way while learning about the diverse influences that shaped this stunning landscape.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Castlehaven Cross - After introductions at our departure point, your guide will give a brief overview on the planned route and a few safety pointers for walking on the off-road sections.
- Castlehaven - Our first stop is at Jim Barryâs Cross where we briefly discuss the science and study of placenames and some of the history behind IrishâŠ
- Castlehaven Cross - After introductions at our departure point, your guide will give a brief overview on the planned route and a few safety pointers for walking on the off-road sections.
- Castlehaven - Our first stop is at Jim Barryâs Cross where we briefly discuss the science and study of placenames and some of the history behind Irish placenames.
- Castlehaven - Our 2nd stop is about 100m off road on the Legach, this is an amazing beautiful stop on the edge of the ocean. Based on placennames here we share some amazing stories about how local farmers obtained fertiliser from the sea to grow their potatoes and other crops.
- Castlehaven - Our 3rd stop is at Sandy Cove beach. Here we discuss how sand was harvested by local farmers using horses and donkeyâs.
What's Included
- Lunch included
- Tea and coffee provided
- Parking fees covered
- Hiking poles available
- Lunch included
- Tea and coffee provided
- Parking fees covered
- Hiking poles available
What's Not Included
- Hotel pick-up or drop-off
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up or drop-off
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Join the worldâs exclusive daily placenames walking tour, offering a luxurious and intimate experience for up to 8 guests along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way. Frequently highlighted on television and in the media, this exceptional tour unveils the concealed history of Castlehaven through its placenames, revealing tales of Viking traders, GaelicâŠ
Join the worldâs exclusive daily placenames walking tour, offering a luxurious and intimate experience for up to 8 guests along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way. Frequently highlighted on television and in the media, this exceptional tour unveils the concealed history of Castlehaven through its placenames, revealing tales of Viking traders, Gaelic chieftains, and ancient lifestyles.
Uncover names such as Carrig na SaighneoirĂ, a small headland named after the medieval pilchard fishermen who enriched the OâDriscolls and OâDonovans to the level of European royalty. Discover Beann tSĂdhĂĄin (peak of the faeries) and An GlaisĂn Ălainn (the beautiful little stream), where the landscape narrates its own story.
This experience includes a gourmet picnic featuring West Cork cheese, smoked seafood from Union Hall, and Celineâs homemade baking, creating an unforgettable fusion of culture, history, and artisan cuisine.
12:00 Noon Daily | Max 8 Guests | Includes Artisan Picnic
Location
GR84+78 Castlehaven Cross
Our meeting point at Castlehaven Cross is 2km southwest of Castletownshend village on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The nearest town is Skibbereen, it is about 12 minutes away by car.
Use eircode P81 KC87 on your favourite mapping app if you need detailed directions.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(61 Ratings)
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Mobile56933239594
Aug 15, 2025
The best walking tour in Cork! - We had a wonderful afternoon with Conor as he took us to the most stunning locations! Conor has an amazing historical attention to detail and it was clear how he and like minded people had painstakingly researched the stories and their history. He kept us all engaged throughout and he is an utterly delightful man! The tour ended with a delicious picnic of locally sourced goodies which we ate by the beach. We could not recommend Conor and his wonderful Placnames and their amazing stories tour more highly!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trek66770985801
Jun 25, 2025
Irish/US cousins with Castlehaven roots - Had the most fabulous tour with Conor whose knowledge of the area is second to none. Conor engaged with every member of the group aged from 75 to 11. The picnic lunch is all locally sourced gourmet food and was eagerly devoured and thoroughly enjoyed by us all, especially the scones freshly made and baked by Conorâs wife and daughter. Cannot recommend the tour enough and would not hesitate to do another Gormu tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tinytripps
May 15, 2025
A Must Do âïžâïžâïžâïžâïž - âïžâïžâïžâïžâïž
A must do when in West Cork.
Had the best day. Great experience out with Connor.
West Cork adventure with our gang
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_h
May 8, 2025
Extraordinary Experience! - We embarked on the Place Names and Their Amazing Stories with a West Cork Picnic tour to truly experience Ireland's rich culture. Our engaging guide, Conor, shared insightful tales and information with warmth and respect, connecting history, mythology, and nature. We felt a deep connection to the land and its people. Our 3-hour journey ended with a magical gourmet picnic of locally-sourced treats. Conor and his wife, Celine, ensured we were welcomed and well-fed. For an unforgettable, enriching adventure, look no further. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Trailblazer819496
May 5, 2025
Perfect in every way. - This was our first time in the west of Ireland. We were with my dog , Syd, and I have quite serious mobility issues . But I am not ready to stop learning about the environment in which I am so fortunate to find myself in. And I am so grateful to Conor to allow me the possibility to help understand and learn more about his passion for Placenames.
Coming across Conor and listening to his storyâs , combined with his extraordinary empathy and understanding of the challenges for me presented with walking with a stroller made this one of the best moments of our trip to Ireland.
Knowledgeable, informative, fascinating are just a few superlatives. Others are a great orator , and if you have time to scratch below the surface of his life and childhood in the locale , then this can only be an additional bonus.
The tour is billed as about a 5k walk. But Conor tailor made it for me to reduce the distance, to what was manageable for me. His flexibity made it perfect.
The icing on the cake, was ending up in a very historic cove ( I wonât steal his thunder about the church and gravestones), with a beautiful picnic of local produce, much enhanced by the home baking of the boiled fruit cake and soda scones made by his wife Seline.
The early May sunshine was unexpected, but great for Peter , my husband who lives in the South of France and is somewhat unused to my favourite weather from the Suffolk coast) which I usually describe as â elementalâ !
Make sure you take some sunscreen.
I cannot recommend this tour enough. Different, quirky, educational. Lots of humour and fun, all brought to life through the centuries by Conor.
Thankyou Conor.
( The fact that he loved my dog helped a lot as well!).
Is mise le meas
Tricia, Peter and Syd
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z7715mrgeraldh
Apr 28, 2025
An excellent tour, good stories and a wonderful picnic - The personal passion that the guide, Conor, brings to this subject, how local place names have arisen and the interesting historical stories behind them, is obvious throughout the tour. The walking tour itself is not as long as one might think - telling the stories behind the places takes time. The weather smiled on us and we were able to enjoy the picnic in sunshine at the beach. The picnic was put together with gourmet elements of local origin. It was simple, beautifully presented and of outstanding quality. The scones were the best that we have experienced in Ireland. All together a very worthwhile experience that provides a more intimate view of Ireland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevinbn7288nb
Dec 3, 2024
The Wild Atlantic Way's best experience by far! - We don't normally write reviews but we have to here because, quite simply, we had a absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. We had heard about GormĂș when it was featured on an Irish television programme called Nationwide so we decided to give it a go. And we were so happy we did!
Our guide, Conor, was an amazing story teller, whose knowledge of local folklore and heritage was utterly breath-taking, engrossing and infectious. We were completely hooked from the start as Conor enthralled us with the stories of people and events from history behind the old placenames of local sites and geographical features.
As we listened, Conor led us on a lovely meandering walk along the coastline enjoying stunning views of secluded beaches, soaring cliffs and hidden ancient ruins.
Conor was genuinely interested in us too and he epitomised that friendliness and connection for which Ireland is so famous, adding another layer of authenticity to our experience.
The absolute highlight of the day though had to be the incredible picnic lunch we enjoyed looking out across Castlehaven beach, with the harbour stretching before us and the hidden glade, holy well and ruined Church of the local Saint Barrahane (BearcĂĄn) behind us. Conor's fellow GormĂș guide (and wife) Celine had baked the most delicious fresh homemade scones and fruit cake, which along with some very tasty local cheeses, strawberries and patĂ©s, we happily washed down with sparkling elderflower drink, tea and coffee.
If you have any interestat all in history or heritage, or genuinely crave an authentic experience that captures west Cork's natural beauty, or just simply love to hear interesting anecdotes and stories from the past, this is an absolute must for you! Ten out of ten.... and we will definitely come back for more!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P1600knsarac
Aug 11, 2024
excellent and informative tour - Conor was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, entertaining and approachable. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the stories despite it being a wet and foggy day. The picnic lunch was amazing - all locally sourced and delicious. All in all a great outing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amy_c
Jul 26, 2024
The Highlight of Our Trip to Ireland - Well worth the drive from Cork City to experience the local history and beauty of Castlehaven Cross. Conor is personable, super knowledgable, and individualizes the tour on the spot. If you do nothing else, this tour is a must!
Review provided by Viator
Cork67
Jul 23, 2024
A must do if in the area - Fabulous experience and Conor was such a fun and informative guide. The bikes are easy to manage and we really enjoyed the experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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