Find out what's on across the West Cork islands with our online events calendar!
Our events listings are packed with festivals, regattas, workshops, courses and more across West Cork's eight islands. If you're planning a trip to Bere, Dursey Heir, Cape Clear, Garnish, Sherkin, Long, or Whiddy islands, this is the place to find out what's on during your West Cork trip. Search our events calendar by date or category to find the experience that's perfect for you. A stay in West Cork isn't complete unless you've experienced a trip to the West Cork islands. So, head out to the islands, enjoy their beautiful land and seascapes, and immerse yourself in the very best of island life. Go on, get out there!
Experience the night sky on Ireland’s most southerly island! Learn about space and the culture and language of Cape Clear
Free from the glare of artificial light, enjoy Ireland’s dark skies in a spectacular island setting on West Cork’s Cape Clear Island. You’ll learn about the history and culture of the island as well as the skies above us!
Friday 24th May 20.00 Welcome and Outline of Weekend.
20.00 – 22.00 Refreshments- local foods Canapés/ Sandwiches
22.00 – 22.30 Introduction to the Night Sky
22.30 – 00.00 Sky walk 1: Night time walk on Oileán Chléire
Saturday 25th May 10:00 – 13:00 Meet Cape History Walks. (Irish and English) — Dome Running in halla. (Irish and English) – (Niall) Birdwatching/ Ecology introduction – Fastnet trip
14.00 – 14.30 Refreshments – Biscuits and Tea or Coffee in Halla
14.30 – 18.00 Leachtaí (20/30 mins each max) (Sample lectures) – Brief Astronomical History – What is a star? 16.30 – 17.00 – Sos –Refreshments – Gaeilge agus an Spéir- Filíocht agus Scealtaí? – The Planets/ The Moon.
22-00 – 23-00 ISS and satellites (Halla)
23.00 – 01.00 ISS Flyover sighting (11.37) Sky Walk 2 – Night time walk on Cape Clare
01.00 – 02.00 Guided night photography
Sunday 26th May 10.00 – 12.00 Sky dome.
12.00 – 13.00 Final talk and finish.
(Option of Fastnet Trip)
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
![Irish Language Residential Course [3-week - 1st & 2nd year students] @ Coláiste Pobail Chléire](https://westcorkislands.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/colaiste_chleire_logo-450x98.png){kind=logo}
A residential Irish language course on Cape Clear gives young people an amazing way to improve their language skills
This is a residential three-week course intended to develop the pupils’ ability in Irish, especially in the spoken language, and to encourage their appreciation and awareness for Irish language and tradition. The course is suitable for students aged from 12 to 18.
The college has vast experience in running this type of course, a course in which the children are given an opportunity to get to know life and natural amenities of the island as a group.
Learning through Activities
To this end learning through activities, both in the classroom and out and about is emphasized throughout. In the formal classes the pupils are divided according to ability. During the other activities and in the houses however, they are not. Each pupil’s ability is assessed through a short interview at the beginning of the course and a progress report is issued for each pupil at the end of the course.
Living in island homes
A special feature of each course is that the pupils stay in island homes where the locals talk in Irish to them about everyday things. The Island people and college staff are working hand in hand in order to ensure that the aims and philosophy of the college benefit the pupils who come to stay with us each summer.
To find out more, visit http://www.colaistephobalchleire.ie/Menu2
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
Come along to witness the West Cork Islands Soccer Tournament 2019
The fiercely contested annual event is a great source of fun and excitement, and it’s a fun way to get to know the West Cork Island communities!
Ferries to Bere Island will leave Castletownbere at 10:30am from the pontoon and 11am from Castletownbere. Discounted rates will apply for island football teams. Mixed teams are invited to register, and the winners and runners-up will win prizes.
The event is supported by the Cork Sports Partnership and Sports Ireland and its part of an Active Islands event series for 2019!
Contact John Walsh to find out more on 086 387 7943 or email johnbipg@gmail.com
A residential Irish language course on Cape Clear gives young people an amazing way to improve their language skills
This is a residential three-week course intended to develop the pupils’ ability in Irish, especially in the spoken language, and to encourage their appreciation and awareness for Irish language and tradition. The course is suitable for students aged from 12 to 16.
The college has vast experience in running this type of course, a course in which the children are given an opportunity to get to know life and natural amenities of the island as a group.
Learning through Activities
To this end learning through activities, both in the classroom and out and about is emphasized throughout. In the formal classes the pupils are divided according to ability. During the other activities and in the houses however, they are not. Each pupil’s ability is assessed through a short interview at the beginning of the course. Then, a progress report is issued for each pupil at the end of the course.
Living in island homes
A special feature of each course is that the pupils stay in island homes. The locals talk in Irish to them about everyday things and they get a real taste of island life. The island people and college staff work hand in hand to ensure that the aims and philosophy of the college benefit the pupils who come to stay with us each summer.
To find out more, visit http://www.colaistephobalchleire.ie/Menu2
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
O’Driscolls from many lands are set to attend the three-day O’Driscoll Clan Gathering on Cape Clear island, where old friends and long-lost family relations will have the chance to celebrate the O’Driscolls’ heritage
The O’Driscoll Clan Gathering has been the springboard for many to go in search of their roots. The annual programme of events includes a reception where people first get to know others in the international O’Driscoll family, a lecture on some aspect of O’Driscoll heritage, a book launch, an exhibition, story-telling and singing sessions and visits to historic sites.
Today the holding of the office of O’Driscoll Chieftain is not based on historical descent. Anyone bearing the name O’Driscoll may be raised to the office. The inauguration of the new Chieftain on the final day of the Clan Gathering is always an exciting and special occasion.
Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
Dr Michael Kennedy will give a talk on the Treaty Ports (of which Fort Berehaven, Bere Island was one) at the Bere Island Heritage Centre on 6th July.
Following the establishment of the Irish Free State, three deep water Treaty Port at Berehaven, Queenstown (modern Cobh) and Lough Swilly were retained by the United Kingdom in accordance with the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 6 December 1921.
The 1938 Anglo-Irish Agreement ended the ‘Economic War’ and returned the ‘Treaty Ports’ to Ireland. Dr Michael Kennedy will give a talk about this fascinating period.
Dr Kennedy is the Executive Editor of the Royal Irish Academy’s Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series.
The talk will take place at the Bere Island Heritage Centre on Bere Island, within 10 mins’ walk of the Castletownbere ferry arrival point. Find out how to get to Bere Island.
Be part of the Bere Island Midsummer Run – a 5k and a 10k road race and a 5k walk around the scenic roads of Bere Island on July 13th 2019
Bere Island is a popular destination for runners who join its parkrun every Saturday. In July, there’s a bigger test in story when the Bere Island Midsummer Run draws islanders, mainlanders and tourists alike to the West Cork island which has a rich history and a lively community.
This will be Bere Island’s 6th Midsummer Run which features a 5km and a 10km road race around the scenic roads of Bere Island, with views stretching from Whiddy Island to the USA.
Event Details
The course is AAI licensed and measured with a Jones counter. The entry fee is €20. Please note the race is not individually timed. Entry for the walk will be taken on the day and special deals are available for families.
Proceeds from the Bere Island Midsummer Run goes to the Dressing room and community pitch fund. All participants receive a goody bag and for this year everyone will receive a run t shirt.
There will be after race entertainment for all of our participants. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd, for Male & Female in both categories. Come along and enjoy the weekend and stay on the Island! Please check out www.bereisland.net
Book your place on the starting line
The Bere Island Midsummer Run forms part of the West Cork Islands Run Series!
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Enjoy a parkrun the Wild Atlantic Way when you join us on Bere Island for our weekly, timed 5k run!
The views across Bantry Bay are spectacular, and the event is suitable for all abilities: walk, jog or run and test yourself against your best time … It’s up to you!
The event takes place at the GAA club Rerrin village, Bere Island, Beara, Co. Cork, and it’s free to enter. To collect your time, you’ll need to be a registered parkrunner, and bring your barcode. You can register online here.
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bakehouse cafe, Rerrin village, on the island – please come and join us!
Travel to the Bere Island parkrun
Two ferries run to Bere Island. One runs from the pontoon, just outside Castletownbere, into Rerrin village, just 5 minutes walk from the parkrun startline. It leaves at 8am during June, July and August only. See here for details.
The other leaves Castletownbere for the island’s West End at 9am each Saturday throughout the year. From there, you can join the weekly parkrun bus service. Call Colum on 086 2423140 to book the ferry and bus for a special deal of €10.
Accommodation
To find out more about accommodation available on Bere Island, see http://bereisland.net
