Discover Alone
“Wind’s stealing my soul”
Mizen Head. Carn Uí Néid to the locals, which sounds fancy but basically means 'Néid's Hill'. It sits right at the end of the Mizen Peninsula in County Cork. Everyone swears it’s the most southerly point of mainland Ireland, which is tradition for you. The actual southernmost point is Brow Head, but nobody cares because Mizen has better parking and more drama. You’re looking at the district of Carbery, right on the edge of the world. The wind here doesn’t ask permission; it just takes. It’s wild, it’s exposed, and it’ll make your legs shake. You’ll see the Atlantic crashing against rocks that have been here for millennia. It’s not just a view, it’s a punch in the face. Bring a scarf, or lose it. Trust me.
Photo: Ent-ente, CC BY-SA 3.0
Then Tom went looking for the oddest places around it.
Stop 2 · Five minutes' walk
Cloghane Signal Tower
“Wave to the ghosts”
Cloghane Signal Tower from 1805 was part of a network to spot French invasions after Bantry failed. Now disused and in ruins, it has a concrete flight of steps that feels very modern for such an old watcher. Wave to the ghosts!
Freestanding two-bay three-stage signal tower, built 1805, now disused. Later three-bay single-storey extension (north-east) and concrete flight of steps (south-east). Pitched roof with rendered chimneystack to north-east gable. Rubble stone walls with…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20915202Photo: Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Cloghane Signal Tower →
Stop 3 · 5 minutes down the road
Three Castles
“One castle, two sidekicks”
Three Castles in Dunlough is actually just one main tower with two mural ones, all squeezed into a headland. The stairs go up to the wall walk; climb carefully and take a panoramic shot of the cliffs for me!
At westernmost point of Mizen peninsula, on S side Three Castles Head; curtain wall (max. H 6m), incorporating a main tower and two mural towers, crosses headland from S edge Dun Lough to sheer cliff edge on N shore of Dunlough Bay. From cliff edge wall runs…
From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record CO146-001002Photo: Superbass, CC BY-SA 4.0
More about Three Castles →
Stop 4 · A 10-minute spin away
Crookhaven Lighthouse
“Stonework dreams of storms”
Crookhaven Lighthouse on Rock Island has been shining since 1843, with stonework crafted by master masons. It’s got a metal lantern that probably dreams of storms. Look at the quays for me if you’re nearby.
Freestanding circular-plan two-stage lighthouse with metal lantern, built 1843, incorporating fabric of earlier lighthouse. Recent two-bay single-storey associated entrance building (north-east). Painted ashlar stone walls with stone platform having cast-iron…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20914722Photo: Dr Brian Lynch, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Crookhaven Lighthouse →
Stop 5 · Hop back in the car, 5 minutes
Goleen Roman Catholic Church
“Shy bell tower vibes”
Goleen Roman Catholic Church in Goleen has a bell tower that looks like it’s trying to reach for the sky but is too shy. The ashlar work is fancy, but I bet the copper cresting is just there for good measure and no reason at all.
Freestanding cruciform-plan Roman Catholic church, built 1854, comprising four-bay nave, single-bay chancel, single-bay transepts and three-stage entrance bell tower (west) with later sacristy to rear (east). Pitched slate roof with copper cresting, cast-iron…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20914714Photo: Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 4.0
More about Goleen Roman Catholic Church →
The whole day on one map
See everything else around Mizen Head →
Over a million places across Ireland and Britain, all free. Explorer Tom has a story for nearly every one.