On a weekend morning in June, in unusually wet and windy weather, I traveled to Union Hall countryside in West Cork to experience a short vacation that left me feeling surprisingly excited.
Access to this picturesque little fishing village is via a single track Poulgorm Bridge. This narrow bridge was built around the 1890s and is only one lane wide.
There’s not much time to hesitate to capture the spectacular natural scenery as I stand on the banks of the vast expanse of water on either side, surrounded by the rugged cliffs and lush greenery for which this part of Ireland is famous.Union Hall sits on the southwestern fringe of this doll-shaped country, idyllically surrounded by wild beauty and untamed coastline.
From the bridge, follow the short winding driveway that meanders along the coastline under a verdant canopy of trees towards Union Hall Harbor. With its bobbing fishing boats and pale-toned houses, it strikes me that the landscape is similar to that of Mevagissey in Cornwall, except that it’s more verdant and less crowded.
Lyrical travel poets wander the rolling hills and cattle-strewn streets, although the hamlet, which has several bed and breakfast inns, is an excellent base for exploring all that West Cork has to offer; from secluded beaches and off-shore whale-watching excursions, to hiking and biking along the rugged coastline. These are all great trips to plan!
Strolling through Union Hall, the sound of the sea lapping against the hulls of boats and the sight of local fishermen loading and unloading their catch evokes a calmness that can only be felt by the sea. Despite the inclement weather – Ireland is known for its wet, windy nature – there’s no denying that this is a very beautiful place to visit.
