Schull is a beautiful and picturesque village situated on the main road to Mizen Head in West Cork.   Beaches, horse back riding, sailing, scuba diving, walking, bike riding, surfing, whale watching and island hopping are just a few of the great activities to do in or around Schull.

Located down on the slope of Mount Gabriel and sheltered within a safe and warm harbour, Schull is a small town set within a picturesque coastal and rural landscape which provide a range of activities and places to visit and see. Its immediate sheltered coastal location and seafaring traditions mean that the sea plays a major part. Visitors to Schull can avail of many sailing, angling, rowing, diving, surfing activities to name a few. Sailing in particular holds a main draw with many regattas, events and clubs around and training courses available through the Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre.

In the summer there are ferries available to take visitors to and from the islands of Sherkin and Cape Clear whilst taking in the views of Fastnet Rock. There are also opportunities to spot local wildlife and coastal scenery on boat tours such as Whale and Dolphin tours provided by the locals. The local shores and beaches around are perfect for relaxing or swimming on a nice summers’ day.  For those who are more inquisitive and more landloving, so to speak, the mountains of Mount Gabriel and the rural surrounds provide ample walking routes and scenic views. There are numerous facilities and opportunities to go horse-riding in the countryside, or to rent bicycles and cycle to the far reaches of the Mizen peninsula with its brilliant beaches of Barleycove and Ballyrisode to the west or head east toward the villages and towns of Ballydehob and Skibbereen.

For people who want to sit down and relax there are pubs, cafes and restaurants with award winning culinary delights from the artisan food producers of West Cork. For a chance to sample or buy some of these gourmet and organic foods checkout the weekly Sunday morning country market fair on the grounds opposite the hotel where local artisan food producers and craftsmen show and sell their wares. There are also various shops where one can buy some of the best of these local products unique to Schull. As evidenced by these artisans and craftsmen, Schull and West Cork is home to many resident artists of all genres and this is reflected in the numerous festivals in Schull in particular the Art in Schull festival in early July and the Corona Fastnet Film Festival in late May that doesn’t let the fact that there is no cinema in Schull stop it from highlighting the best of short films in a Cinemobile and in various venues including the Schull Harbour View Hotel.

And after all that, after exploring the sea and the mountains, the local shops, the pubs and restaurants, the culture and the arts, you can also explore nightsky, the stars and recesses of space in the evenings in the only planetarium in the Republic situated on the Schull Community College grounds.
Book your accommodation in Schull today.

Photos courtesy of Thomas Newman Photography