Cape Mizen Head is the most south-western and southern point of the island of Ireland, located in County Cork. It is located 3.8 km west of Cape Brow, the southernmost point of Ireland., sometimes considered the most southern point of Ireland although it is in reality of Brow Head.
The tip of the peninsula is an island formed by a chasm, now spanned by a bridge the latter provides access to an old signaling station, a weather station and the Mizen Head lighthouse. The station, once permanently inhabited, now houses a museum emphasizing the strategic importance of the site for transatlantic travel and communications.
The “99 steps” that form the original access road have been complemented by a series of pathways and observation platforms, and tourist infrastructure is located near the site.
Contrary to popular belief, Mizen Head is not the southernmost point of Ireland, Brow Head holds this title. Nevertheless, geography books have long measured the length of Ireland “from Fair Head to Mizen Head1” or “from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
Today is a tourist attraction. Located on the promontory is an old signaling station, a weather station, and a lighthouse. The signaling station, today a museum, is open to visitors. The “99 steps” are a long series of steps on the path on the other side of the rocky outcrop on which the station was built. The villages of Ballydehob, Goleen and Schull are located on the peninsula. Cape Mizen in Wicklow County is located in the south of Cape Wicklow.
On the peninsula where Cape Mizen is located there are several villages that rise in an environment of enormous beauty. Inside the peninsula are Goleen, Schull and Ballydehob.
The most interesting of this place are the views of the cliffs. Walking along with them, or simply sitting while listening to the sea breeze or watching the waves break on the coast, is the true essence of your visit to Cape Mizen.
Access : Coordinates: 51.450278, -9.819444 / Coming from Bantry: Take the turning marked CROOKHAVEN R591. Travel through Durrus taking the left fork towards Goleen. Continue to the end of the road and turn right at the T junction. Go through Goleen and continue until you see the sign for Mizen Head Drive -don’t take the first turn to the right after the village – go straight on until you see the second sign.
highlights :
- Mizen Head Bridge : The road between Bantry and Skibbereen marks the eastern border of the two almost 30 km long fingers that are Gaeltacht area. At their ends are Sheep’s Head and Mizen Head. The old copper mines on Mount Gabriel are near the highest point of the peninsula.
- The village of Goleen was built in the 19th century at a crossroads where livestock housing was held. There is also a hidden harbor, which gave the village its name Goilin (dt small inlet). Although the harbor is dry at low tide, there is a quay to moor fishery boats and yachts.
- Schull is a sailing resort that attracts with festivals and regattas in the summer and has its season, which goes on into the only planetarium of Ireland into the night.
- Close to Toormore (Tuar Mor) are the Wedge tombs of Toormore and Altar and the portal Tomb of Arderawinny.
- The Sheep’s Head peninsula is almost deserted and only about 16 miles long from Durrus to its end. The top of Sheep’s Head is one of the few signposted circular trails in West Cork.
- Mizen Head Signal Station On the way to Mizen Hed, you can admire one of the largest sandy beaches in the south, Barley Cove, reached by a pedestrian bridge built for the tides, where you can discover how the guardians lived at the end of the 1800s, At the signal station, explore the caretakers’ lodgings, the engine room, the Marconi radio room, the Mizen Map collection and an exhibition dedicated to underwater fauna.
- The 99 steps leading to the station through the rocks on the Ocean are characteristic.
Mizen Head Visitor Centre & Signal Station Prices : Adult: €7.50 , Senior/Student: €6 , Child under 14: €4.50 , Child under 5: Free.
Opening Hours for 2019 : Mar 2-16 weekends 11am – 4pm 11.00-16.00 , Mar 17 – May 31 Daily 10.30am – 5pm 10.30 – 17.00 , June, July, Aug Daily 10 am – 6pm 10.00 – 18.00 , Sept – Nov 02 Daily 10.30 am – 5pm 10.30 – 17.00 , Nov 03 – Feb 29 Weekends 11.00am – 4pm 11.00 – 16.00, (Christmas and mid term opening hours TBA)
Facilities : visitor centre by the large car park. / Mizen Cafe with good home cooked food, snacks, drinks and ice cream for lunch and tea. Open all day. / Gift Shop@theMizen.
Activities : enjoy some relaxing moments on the beach / sightseeing / photo opportunities / trekking / enjoy breathtaking views / Experience the solitude of the keepers’ lives /a ten minute walk to the Signal Station down the famous 99 steps, / Guided Day Tours
Go next : towns of Crookhaven, Goleen, Schull and Toormore lie / Barley Cove / Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork / Cape Slea (point further west) / Barleycove beach
