The Farranamanagh Loop Walk is a moderate loop on the Sheep’s Head Way so it will suit older kiddies and teenagers, although I have seen plenty of younger kids on the trail or in hiking backpacks on parents’ backs or simply enjoying the shoreline and lake section of the walk.
The loop is just over 6km long and the guidebooks say it should take around two hours and fifteen minutes to complete but we always take longer as it is fun to stop along the way and pet the friendly animals you will encounter (which can include, goats, alapaca’s AND donkeys). It is handy to carry some cash on you because there is an honesty box at the alpaca’s field which sells all sorts of interesting items including lavender bags and bundles of alpaca wool for the garden birds to line their nests with.
We usually park at the Old Creamery in Kilcrohane which now houses The Sheep’s Head Producers’ Market and is an outlet for food, crafts or other products which are made (or grown) within the community.
From there head out on foot on the main road towards Ahakista and after a short while, you will find the trail marking on a gate on the right hand side which takes you through a field and which is the start of the loop.
Remember that no dogs are allowed on the trail and to always use the etiquette of leaving gates closed if you found them closed, and open if you found them open. The walk eventually crosses the main road again (so take care if anyone has run ahead) and then mergers for a part of the way with the Seefin Loop.
The walk has many interesting things to explore, including an old Bardic school (which was so famous in its time that the King of Spain sent his sons to be educated at it), a holy well nearby known as the Well of the Poets, standing stones and burial grounds. For full details visit the Sheep’s Head Way.
The views are great on this walk which takes in shoreline, lakeside, hillside with spectacular views, a quiet farmland forest stretch and then roadside walk back into Kilcrohane.
West Cork with Kids 