Placenames and their Amazing Stories in West Cork

3 hours and 30 minutes

Easy

12:00 noon daily - Includes a picnic lunch which features West Cork cheese and smoked seafood from the local village of Union Hall. Explore Castlehaven using toponyms, the language of its placenames which provide unique insights into history and culture.

Join us on the world's only daily placenames walking tour while we explore a stunning section of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is said the mighty inscribe their placenames on the landscape, Gaels, Vikings, Normans, Spaniards, Pirates, English and the Irish all controlled this section of the West Cork coastline at one time or another. They all left their mark in the toponyms and microtoponyms of this beautiful area.

The placenames of a region can reveal a wealth of information about its history, culture, and geography. Castlehaven, in particular, has an incredibly rich and fascinating collection of placenames, each with its own unique story. Many of these stories derive from the ancient Gaelic dindsenchas tradition. Dindseanchas is sometimes described as the lore of places. 

One of the most interesting features of Castlehaven’s placenames is their close relationship to the natural environment. Many of the names are derived from the local landscape, with streams, mountains, and inlets all providing inspiration. For example, the name of the townland of An Glaisín Álainn means “the beautiful little stream,” reflecting the fact that a gorgeous stream marks the boundary of this townland, while the name of the nearby mountain Beann tSídháin means “the peak of the fairy mound" a nod to the shape of the mountain and the 'good people' whom locals say still live inside the peak.

Another common theme in Castlehaven’s placenames are their association with historical events and people. For instance, “Tom the Merchants Tower” is named after Protestant refugees from Scotland who settled in the area during the 1700’s. The harbour of Castlehaven, on the other hand was possibly was named by Viking traders coming from their settlement at Cork city.

But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Castlehaven’s placenames are those relating to fishing and agriculture. Many of the names have roots in a way of life that has now vanished. For example, the tiny headland of Carrig na Saighneoirí, is named after the extraordinary medieval pilchard fishermen that made local clan chieftains such as the O'Driscoll's and the O'Donovan's as wealthy as some European Kings and Queens.

Overall, the placenames of Castlehaven are a treasure trove of information about the region's past, and the stories behind them are both fascinating and illuminating. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just someone with a passion for Irish culture or language, exploring the placenames of Castlehaven is an experience that is not to be missed.

What's included?
  • Food & drinks
  • Parking fees

We provide a picnic lunch featuring local artisan foodstuffs, these include freshly baked scones with Vintage West Cork Cheddar Cheese. We also feature smoked pâté made by our friends in the neighbouring village of Union Hall. We also have hiking poles for those that want to use them and there is free parking at Castlehaven Cross our start/finish point.

Exclusions
  • Bus fare
  • Tip or gratuity

Tipping is not expected in Ireland, but it's a great way to show appreciation if your guide on the day provides an excellent service, a standard tip is around 10-20% of the tour cost. We don't usually do hotel pick-ups or drop-offs but we can recommend local taxi firms in the Skibbereen area. 

Please note
  • Animals or pets allowed
  • Dress code

Short sections of this tour are on trail so sensible shoes with some grip is advised. As a result it is not really wheelchair or stroller accessible. However, we can tweak the route to facilitate groups that need such access. The nearest public transportation is in Skibbereen, which is about 10km away. There are a number of local taxi firms can can drop you to Castlehaven Cross from Skibbereen. We get the occasional well-behaved dog along and they are always welcome, once they are on a leash.

What to bring

  • This tour is follows a rugged section of the Wild Atlantic Way, layers and a waterproof jacket are usually a good idea. During peak summer months sunscreen is also advisable. Short sections of the route are on trail and we advise wearing sensible shoes with some grip. We finish at Castlehaven Stand, some guests hang out there after the tour and bring swimwear along. 

This tour is follows a rugged section of the Wild Atlantic Way, layers and a waterproof jacket are usually a good idea. During peak summer months sunscreen is also advisable. Short sections of the route are on trail and we advise wearing sensible shoes with some grip. We finish at Castlehaven Stand, some guests hang out there after the tour and bring swimwear along. 

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