Location How to get to Westcove (There is no public transport, so a car is essential) By Air The nearest airport is ‘Kerry’, 20 minutes north of Killarney and 1½ hours drive from Westcove House. Ryanair fly there daily from Stansted Airport and there are also direct flights to Kerry Airport from Manchester and Luton. Cork Airport is further away, but with faster roads, driving time to the House is only about 2 ¼ hours. Many airlines offer flights to Cork, not only from London but from other airports in the UK and Europe (Shannon Airport is a good 3¼ hours drive away – further than it looks)

By Sea

(The most direct route from the UK to South West Ireland used to be via Swansea/Cork Ferries. This service ceased operating in October 2006 but hopes to restart in 2008/09 so do check their website.)

There is a choice of sailings from the south west of England to Rosslare, on the south eastern tip of Ireland:-

a) Stenaline – operate two daily 3½ hour crossings (all year) and two daily 1¾ hour, high speed sailings (from March to September)
b) Irish Ferries – also operate twice daily crossings to Rosslare from Pembroke. These take 3¾ hours but the driving time from London takes ½ hour less than to Fishguard.

We, personally, prefer Irish Ferries, as the cabins are much more comfortable and the UK drive is shorter, however they do not offer the high speed sailing in the summer.

There are, of course, other ferry services from Scotland and the north of England to Larne, near Belfast and Dublin.
The drive from Rosslare to Westcove House, The Stables and Pier Cottage takes 4½ - 5½ hours. Detailed directions will be sent on request.

Directions from Cork (approximately 2½ hour drive)

Take the N22 Killarney Road, follow it until about 10 miles short of Killarney, where you turn left to Kenmare. In Kenmare (a good place to stop for provisions is Supervalu Supermarket), follow the signs to Waterville.

Ten miles after going through Sneem, you reach the small village of Castlecove.

Then....

For Pier Cottage

Follow the road straight through Castlecove for one mile and turn directly left, after passing some derelict buildings on your left. Keep left for a quarter mile or so and you come to the harbour.

Pier Cottage is the last cottage on the left before the pier.

For Westcove House

Follow the road straight through Castlecove for one mile and, after passing some derelict buildings on your left, take the second turn on your left at a small crossroads.

After about 100 yards, the entrance to Westcove House is directly in front of you. Proceed over the cattle grid, with a stone wall on either side, and park by the grass circle.

For The Stables

Follow the road straight through Castlecove for one mile and, after passing some derelict buildings on your left, take the second turn on your left at a small crossroads.

After about 100 yards, the entrance to Westcove House and The Stables is directly in front of you. Proceed over the cattle grid, with a stone wall on either side. The Stables is immediately on your right.