About Us
The Sheep’s Head Way
The Sheep’s Head Way CLG is a community based voluntary organisation consisting of representatives from the local area. We maintain and develop the Sheep’s Head Way and other public amenities. The Sheep’s Head Way consists of walks of over 450km total length that stretch from Sheep’s Head to Gougane Barra, passing through Kilcrohane, Ahakista, Durrus, Bantry, Drimoleague, Castledonovan, Mealagh and Kealkill.
The Sheep’s Head Way was founded in 1993, and originally included only the main western route. Through the hard work of many local volunteers, the Sheep’s Head Way has grown into a larger network of trails, all the way to Gougane Barra.
In the western section of the Sheep’s Head Way, the narrowness of the peninsula means that you are never far from the Atlantic Ocean, with Bantry Bay to the north and Dunmanus Bay to the south. The views are spectacular, and there are a variety of trails from difficult mountain climbs to lowland pasture walks with many historical and ancient sites along the way. On the eastern section, there are breathtaking views that stretch from the south coast all the way to the mountains of Kerry. The eastern section also offers woodland and river walks, with a wealth of local heritage along the way.
Maintaining and developing the trails is a constant endeavor, and we maintain an office, workshop and information center in Kilcrohane village.
The Sheep’s Head Way committee consists of volunteers, and many different people have contributed tirelessly to this project over the years. This project would not have been possible without the enormous efforts of workers from rural employment schemes such as FÁS, C.E., and RSS. Finally, there would be no walks without the support and hard work of the local farmers and landowners, who have helped create a public amenity that has won international awards.
A European Destination of Excellence
The European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) initiative rewards and promotes sustainable tourism practices in smaller tourist destinations. Run in conjunction with national tourism bodies, the EDEN award aims to highlight tourism destinations that can be overlooked.
In collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, the Sheep’s Head peninsula won the EDEN award in 2009 under the theme of tourism in protected areas. Awarded destinations were those protected areas and the areas bordering them, where an economically viable tourism product was developed using the protected area as an asset, all the while respecting its protected environment and meeting the needs of local residents and visitors.
A number of factors made the Sheep’s Head peninsula a natural candidate for the award:
1) The Sheep’s Head Way is a long distance walking route run with the cooperation of over 300 local land owners under the Walks Scheme, an initiative that provides the public with world-class amenities while helping land owners develop local tourism.
2) The Sheep’s Head peninsula has large designated protected areas and is home to several protected species of birds, in particular the Chough, as well as several protected plant species found on the hill e.g. the Pale Dog Violet (Viola lactea) and the Spotted Rock Rose (Tuberaria guttata). The Kerry Slug is also in this area.
3) There are numerous local business that benefit from the sustainable tourism generated by the Sheep’s Head Way, e.g. hotels, B&B’s, shops, pubs and restaurants.
Winning the EDEN award demonstrates the world-class tourism destination that the Sheep’s Head peninsula is, and recognises the hard work and determination of local volunteers and business people in creating such an outstanding visitor experience.
History of the Sheep’s Head Way
The Sheep’s Head Way is indebted to the late Tom Whitty, a founding member of the Sheep’s Head Way, born in Philadelphia, settled on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula in the 1980’s with his wife Suzanne and family. Tom was inspired by Jim Leonard, a life-long walker and mountaineer who recognised the value of the Sheep’s Head peninsula for outdoor recreation. Tom joined a small local walking group and saw at first hand how the area held the potential to become a world-class walking destination. The idea of the Sheep’s Head Way was ‘born’.
A Community Effort
A local committee was then formed, under the guidance of Tom and of James O’Mahony, a local farmer. Due to the trojan work of this committee, now the Sheep’s Head Way Ltd., the walk was researched and developed and put in place within 18 months. In July 1996, Mary Robinson – then President of Ireland – officially opened the walk. The route went on to gain an “All Ireland Award” for development and quality techniques.
Átha Thomáis
Unfortunately, Tom’s accidental death in July 1998 robbed the Sheep’s Head community of an inspiring community leader. Tom’s academic skills and his humanity, his interest in the future development of the Sheep’s Head peninsula, and his commitment made him unique. His contribution to the peninsula will always be remembered and his work is commemorated at the ’Átha Thomáis’ memorial at Gorteanish, Ahakista.
The Peninsula
The seat in the picture above, was crafted by Cork Sculptor Ken Thompson and unveiled at the official opening of the Sheeps Head Way in 1996 by The President of Ireland at the time Mary Robinson. Ken Thompson also created the Air India Monument at Ahakista. The words were chosen from the poem ” The Peninsula” by Seamus Heaney –
When you have nothing more to say, just drive
For a day all around the peninsula,
The sky is tall as over a runway,
The land without marks, so you will not arrive
But pass through, though always skirting landfall.
At dusk, horizons drink down sea and hill,
The ploughed field swallows the whitewashed gable
And you’re in the dark again. Now recall
The glazed foreshore and silhoutted log.
That rock where breakers shredded into rags,
The leggy birds stilted on their own legs,
Islands riding themselves out into the fog.
And then drive back home, still with nothing to say
Except that now you will uncode all landscapes
By this; things founded clean on their own shapes
Water and ground in their extremity. – Seamus Heaney
The Rams
The interlocking rams logo for the Sheep’s Head Way is a registered trade mark. The rams are one of the images depicted/carved on the 6th century Kilnaruane Standing Stone which is located near Bantry.
The image illustrates the Gospel story of the people of Gideon and the Israelites who fought for many years; no one won and no one surrendered, they agreed to live together! Thus the interlocking rams symbolise togetherness and resilience.
