Gougane Barra National Park , County Cork

Gougane Barra National Park , County Cork

The park encompasses 1000 acres , with spectacular drives , walks and nature trails which are a must see on your tours of Ireland. Gougane Barra Lake is the source of the River Lee and is surrounded by steep mountains. Streams cascade down their sides to feed the lake , becoming foaming waterfalls after rain.

It was on the tiny island here (reached by a causeway) that St. Finbarr founded a monastery before moving down the river to establish the settlement that became Cork city. Pilgrimages are still made here annually on the Sunday after September 25th , the Saint’s day , and there are some 18th century remains and a modern oratory on the island.

Just South is the craggy-sided Pass of Keimaneigh which climbs to 662 ft , shadowed by the heights of Doughill and Foilastooken. In Irish Keimaneigh means ‘the deer’s step’ , and according to legend a pursued deer managed to leap across the pass to safety.

Contact us now to organise a tour to this picturesque park on your tours of Ireland.