Ask A Local: Insider Tips & Hidden Gems For West Cork

At Sim Local, our team is lucky enough to be spread out across the globe giving us a truly local lens on so many destinations. That’s why we’ve launched the Ask A Local series: to bring you the hotspots and hidden gems straight from our team’s favourite corners of the world. This time, the spotlight is on West Cork, Ireland. A wild and wonderful stretch of coastline at the very edge of Europe. It’s home to rugged scenery, colourful towns, and some of the best food you’ll find anywhere on the island of Ireland. And who better to guide us than our very own Senior Paid Media Manager, Niamh, who’s based in the vibrant harbour town of Kinsale and knows the area like the back of her hand. Over to you Niamh...

West Cork is the most southerly point of Ireland and is the starting point (or end point, depending on your perspective) of the famous Wild Atlantic Way.  It covers around 4,000 square kilometers (1,500 sq miles) and is known for its rugged coastline, picturesque towns, and vibrant artisan food scene.  

Top Tip: Apart from all the tips below, by far my top tip is to make sure you pack what I call the “Irish uniform” i.e. rain-jacket and sun-glasses, because it’s true what they say, you can get 4 seasons in 1 day here! 

Kinsale is the original gourmet capital in Ireland, establishing the Good Food Circle in the 1970s and making Kinsale a famous spot for the best food in the country. To this day, Kinsale prides itself on the best restaurants and you’ll find everything from Michelin Star restaurants to food trucks in this bustling, colourful town – and trust me, the food is delicious no matter where you eat. 

Breakfast: The Lemon Leaf they have a huge range on the menu covering anything you might be craving or any dietary requirement you might have. A busy spot, but you always get a table quickly, even if there’s a queue. I personally can’t get enough of their Rustic Hash 

Lunch: O’Herlihy’s Kinsale Definitely worth making a reservation as it’s not huge, and is always busy – but their flatbreads are yum! A quirky little spot right in the middle of town, if you can’t make it for food, their coffee is also great and you can order right from the hatch in the wall 

Dinner: The Bulman Again, definitely worth your while making a reservation here as, like most restaurants in Kinsale, it’s a busy spot. A few minute’s drive outside the town, you can enjoy your dinner looking across at the town of Kinsale in this beautiful setting. The pub downstairs is a traditional Irish pub, where you can enjoy a drink before or after your dinner. Bonus point: it’s a dog friendly pub, so you might meet some canine friends along the way 

Pastries: Seeds Bakery a relatively new addition to the town, any weekend morning I don’t make to Seeds feels like a weekend wasted! As a French bakery, their pastries are second to none. Their offerings can differ week to week but I have yet to regret a single choice (and trust me there has been a lot of sampling done!). Pair with their delicious coffee and watch the world go by 

Coffee: Wild and Tame Kinsale is bustling with coffee shops but Wild and Tame is my favourite coffee. Using locally roasted coffee beans, their coffee has never let me down. The store is lovely, the staff are helpful and efficient and even my dog loves going in her as she’s always given a freebie treat! 

West Cork is known for its rugged and beautiful landscape. With a riches of beautiful beaches, you won’t get enough of stopping along the road to take in the next breath-taking view. 

Inchydoney Beach is located near the lovely town of Clonakilty and is frequently cited as one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches. Inchydoney is an expanse of beach, popular with surfers, swimmers and walkers alike. Set right opposite Dunmore House Hotel, you can enjoy more panoramic views while sitting down to a beautiful meal, where you can eat indoors at the bar or on their pizza terrace. 

If you head west along the coast from here, you’ll come across Red Strand beach, Galley Head Lighthouse, and Long Strand beach. This is a lovely stint along the Wild Atlantic Way, and as the theme of food recommendations continues, stop by The Fish Basket at Long Strand for some of the best fish and chips in West Cork, where you can walk it off along one of the many walking trails of Castlefreke. 

If you’re going further west, Baltimore village is a beautiful and popular spot. Known for its good restaurants as well as the walk to the Baltimore Beacon, you can also go to Sherkin Island from Baltimore, which only takes about 10 minutes by ferry. Sherkin has lots to offer from walks and exhibitions to food and accommodation.  

Along from Baltimore is Mizen Head, the most southerly point of the island of Ireland. The visitor centre is well worth a visit as you can walk right out onto the headland and visit the lighthouse and take in the sights and wildlife. The view of Fastnet Rock is second-to-known from Mizen, with tours to this lighthouse also in operation from Baltimore or Schull. Be sure to stop in O’Sullivan’s pub in Crookhaven on your way back for the traditional-pub experience as well as a great pint of Guinness in this cove. 

If you make it to the Beara peninsula, visiting Garinish Island (sometimes spelled Garnish Island) in Glengarriff Harbour in Bantry Bay is a must-see! You can get a boat from Glengarriff, passed the seals lounging on rocks in the bay, to this island. Not state-owned, the island gardens were cultivated in the early 20^th century where the microclimate of Glengarriff Harbour allows rare subtropical species to thrive in west Cork. The island hosts different features, including the Italian Garden, Grecian Temple Rotunda and Martello Tower. It is quite a spectacular spot, and not to mention the incredible sights and smells of the flowers.

West Cork has firmly adopted the health benefits of the sea and sauna trend. You’ll find a portable sauna at nearly every swimming spot along the coast, with people braving the cold Atlantic sea all throughout the year. 

• The Dock Beach Kinsale 
• Red Strand 
• Tragumna 

• Mizen head 
• Whale Watching  
• Night kayaking 
• Dursey Island Cable Cars: Ireland’s only cable car and Europe’s only one to cross the sea 

• O’Sullivan’s, Crookhaven for the most southerly pint in Ireland 
• The Spaniard, Kinsale, built on the foundations of an old castle from around 1650 
• The Tin Pub, Ahakista  
• Arundels By The Pier for pint and food 

From the raw beauty of wind-swept coastlines to the charm of colourful harbour towns, the scent of fresh pastries drifting from a local bakery, or the warmth of a welcome in a pub where stories are still passed down over a pint - West Cork captures the very soul of Ireland. Here, the land is as rich as the history, the food is as vibrant as the people, and every winding road leads to something worth discovering. It’s a place that feeds the senses and lifts the spirit, where culture, community and natural beauty come together in the most unforgettable way. So, whether you’re following the coastline or ducking into a cosy café in Kinsale, make sure you stay connected the easy way with a Sim Local eSIM while in Ireland. No roaming stress, no searching for SIM cards - just more time to soak in every stunning moment of your Irish adventure.