Weather Forecast
Description
Only a hop from Cork, Bandon lies halfway between city and sea. Its location at the mouth of West Cork makes it a mix of the rural and urban, with something for everyone. The first walled settlement of the Elizabethan Munster plantations, Bandon is a Town of Churches which paints the entire ecumenical history of Ireland. A historic market town, it continues to hold three established weekly food markets. Whether you are entertaining a young family, are an adventurous foodie, or your appetite is for culture & heritage - there is something to discover in Bandon.
For young families there is an impressive range of outdoor facilities as you enter the town from Cork. Here alongside the river, kids of all ages can enjoy the expansive skateboard park, basketball pitch and large, modern playground. An amble on the Graham Norton walk along the river will stretch the legs, or if you’re feeling active, the large outdoor multigym will help to work up an appetite.
With one foot in the finest pastureland and the other in the sea, Bandon’s restaurants offer a great breadth of choice as a town with a burgeoning foodie reputation. From vegan specialists to culinary shops selling the best of Irish provenance; from locally caught seafood to the choicest steaks available, as well as the weekly markets – the choice is endless. Whether for coffee or a special occasion, the choice ranges from patisseries and cafés to award winning seafood restaurants, gastropubs and eateries. There are also fine pizzerias for family dining. If you are looking for something more relaxed, there are green spaces on the historic Shambles or Bandon town park if you want to picnic.
Its Irish name Dhroichead na Banndan gives a clue to the town’s origin. Dhroichead refers to the bridge that existed when they were relatively rare, giving rise to a thriving market town. In Celtic etymology, rivers were named after female divinity as they spread fertility - Bann meaning woman, and Dea meaning goddess. Did JK Rowling know of this when naming her fearsome Bandon Banshee? The ominous character in the second Harry Potter novel is feared but never seen as a phantom of the otherworld. Nowadays it is festivals such as The Taste of Bandon and Bandon Music festival that celebrate the fertility and provenance of the town.
If you are the kind of visitor who wants to know the real story of a place, Bandon is truly fascinating. Designed as a fortified walled town to protect the planters against the native Irish, it is now a bustling, multi-cultural town. Ancient traces remain though if you care to look. There are sections of the perimeter wall lingering, to give you a clue as to what it meant to live within the confines of a walled town. The first planters came mainly from Somerset, and it is worth noting that many of the family names that appeared on the passenger list of the Mayflower which arrived in New England in 1620, were identical with the names of the new inhabitants of Bandon.
Christchurch the first Protestant Church in Ireland was built in 1610 on North Main St at the original North Gate of the town. Now the fascinating West Cork Heritage Centre, its exhibits include an old- world school room, bar & shop with original interiors. The grave of the infamous Sean Dearg Nash, Provost of Bandon and priest-catcher is buried near the entrance. According to the Duchas Folklore database he was known as Red Jack and Jack the devil, but his infamy attests to the political and social justice of another time. Call the Heritage Centre 087 975 6029 to check opening times.
The beautiful Methodist Church, built in 1821 greets you on entering the town from Cork. The Scots Presbyterian Church though now deconsecrated, was at the Watergate. There was also a substantial Quaker population for many years. St Peters, Church of Ireland was first built in 1623 with the help of Richard Boyle and wholly reconstructed in 1849. Enclosed in the town walls, its entrance on to the streetscape of the town below at the Ballymodan area is striking. The highest ecumenical structure is St. Patricks RC Church, built in 1856 standing on the hill overlooking the town - outside the original town walls. However, it is Bandon’s forgotten Holy Wells that are the oldest monument in Bandon Town Park, at the Kilbrogan St entrance. These twin wells are thought to be pre-Christian and the site of Cill Brogain’s monastery. Brogain from the 6 th C was a student of St Finbarr.
The contemporary Sceal Art Trail around Bandon interprets local stories from the national folklore collection which collected local lore in 1934. These vibrant interpretations by street artists such as Shane O’Driscoll, Kevin O’Brien and Gareth O’Callaghan are wonderful reminders of Bandon’s history. Likewise, the portraits by Bandon Treasures artist Audrey Cantillon celebrates local heroes from the town including Olympians, feted musicians, and artic explorers. If you want to escape it all for a moment, there are many beautiful gifts shops and contemporary art gallery. There are also many boutiques, Bandon a well known destination for mother-of-the-bride. has a riverside walk named after him.
Top Tip: After a stroll across the footbridge to see the weir and famous Whale Pass (ask a local!) follow the route through the modern flats on the north bank to the West Cork Heritage Centre in the former Christchurch.
Town Facilities
-
Accommodation
-
Doctor
-
Garda Station
-
Pharmacy
-
Restaurants
-
Vets