The Real Bantry Bay

Image00019-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Just for fun, we thought to take a drive out to the real Bantry Bay, south west of Cork. Most of the drive was on an “R” road which means a 100 kilometre per hour speed limits most of the time, minimal road markings and lots of pretty winter trees. Even with such a generous speed limit, the drive still takes about 2 hours. Here are a few photos of the beautiful scenery en-route and at Bantry Bay.

For Capetonians, Bantry Bay conjures up images of luxurious houses with spectacular views of the Atlantic on Cape Town’s most affluent bit of coastline. Set change: You’re in Ireland and it’s December (which today means that it’s clear and partially sunny with a nip in the air). Across the bay lies Whiddy Island and just in front of it are the mussel lines and to the right, sheep graze on ever-green fields that appear to slope right into the gentle ocean. You can stroll along a walkway that follows the beach; as far as beaches go, it’s mostly pebbled and covered in brown seaweed at low tide. There is a market here on a Friday afternoon with all sorts of things for bargain hunters and vintage lovers and if you get peckish, there are a good few restaurants in town that could feed you well. If you find you have time to venture further a field, drive on to Sheep’s Head Peninsula. You won’t be sorry.

Image00013-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00017-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00018-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00020-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00026-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00021-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00022-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00023-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00024-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Image00025-Web_BantryBay2016_CopyrightPaulaVermeulen

Leave a Reply