Western Cork

In this blog post, I introduce you to three locations in West Cork which I visited in a day's time. The first location is the Gougane Barra, the second is the Air India disaster memorial at Ahakista(which commemorates the air crash that occurred in 1985) and lastly, the breathtaking view of the Mizen head.

Gougane lake

My love for nature is everlasting. My heart was ecstatic at the sight of the dazzling still water and the enormous mountains which enclosed it. To me, Gougane lake seemed like a newborn baby who is safe in her mother’s arms, the Sheehy Mountains and the Caha Mountains. I don't know if Heaven really exists but such a place which is so peaceful and pure definitely makes me believe in the existence of heaven on Earth. The river Lee originates from these mountains and flows into the Gougane lake.

It is believed that St. Finbarr had built a monastery during the 6^th Century at this place. Although, now we see a small oratory which was built in its place in the 19^th Century. This location is a famous spot for weddings and photo shoots. Apart from ceremonies, the main attraction for youngsters is the hiking trail. Gougane Barra is surrounded by a well-maintained forest reserve named "Gougane Barra National Forest Park” which covers an area of about 138 hectares. The National Park has 5 km of motor trail and 10 km of hill walks, nature points, and Vista trails. It is also said that there are thousands of hidden fountains in these valleys. At the entrance, an extravagant Gougane Barra Hotel welcomes people who would like a vacation in this aesthetic and soothing environment. As I had planned only a day's trip and still had to cover two more places, I moved on to the next destination with a heavy heart. I wish to visit this place again for a hike soon and plan to stay overnight during my next visit.

Sometimes, I really wonder about human behavior. From the depths of my heart, a question arises, what is the purpose of our existence? In our short lifespan, we love some people, we also hate some, we dream of big things, we also cry over things we couldn't accomplish. People tend to run after what they don't have and neglect what they do have and is quite precious. Beneath all of this, what few people really crave for is power, wealth, luxury, pride, attention, victory and terror! What do we gain from all of this? When a person dies, what do they take with them? One thing I have learned is, the most dangerous animal on Earth is a human being. For one's greed and desire, one can destroy so many lives and not even flinch.

It was a sad moment when I came to know that a memorial has been built for the people who died in the Air India crash in 1985. All 329 people on board had died due to this incident. The deceased included 268 Canadians, 24 Britons, and 24 Indians amongst other nationalities. The Air India flight was traveling from Montreal to London and then Delhi. It wasn't a plane crash due to a technical glitch or human error that killed all these people. No, it was a bomb that had been planted on the aircraft which caused an explosion when the flight was over Ahakista, West Cork. The victim's names are engraved on a stone including their family details and age. I was overwhelmed by seeing that the victim's list included entire families and innocent children. It is a disgrace for us humans, being able to take hundreds of virtuous lives just for the sake of vengeance. Our whole group observed a minute of silence as a tribute to these families. Next, we moved on to our final destination Mizen Head.

Mizen Head

"The Wild Atlantic Way" as the name suggests, one can witness the ferocious waves roaring and splashing on the rocks. After visiting the calm and peaceful Gougane Barra, the view from Mizen Head was scary yet bewitching. This spot is also known as “The Edge of Europe”. The gushing wind, the endless water, and the rocky path is a treat to an adventure seeker. The view of the cliffs surrounded by the swirling and endless Atlantic ocean made my heart skip a beat.

Mizen head signal station was built about a century ago to warn ships about the sharp-edged rocks which are close to shore. And unbelievably, it has stood strong despite all the odds, forces and wildness of mother nature. This station has a lighthouse, a navigation aid simulator, and an automated weather monitoring unit. It also includes an award-winning “Maritime Museum”. Once we passed the entrance, we headed to various viewpoints. The whole walkway is fenced and I thought it to be quite unintelligent as it would block the view. However, after walking down the cliff for at least about a mile and after reaching our first viewpoint I understood why the whole path is fenced. I had never been so close to the ocean and was shocked to see steel bars deformed due to strong currents of wind and the ocean. It was at that moment that I felt both fear and joy at the same time. I was spellbound by the splendid sight. My urge to click thousands of pictures failed as I realized that no technology or high-resolution lens can do them justice. 

There are at least four different viewpoints which are a few miles apart. An enchanting bridge connects Sheep's Head cliff and the Beara Peninsulas. If one wonders what could be so special about the different viewpoints of the same place, I am out of words trying to explain how unique each one of them is. I recommend everyone to visit and gain this experience themselves, only then will they understand. If you are lucky enough, you may get to see whales, dolphins, and seals. Finally, tired of walking up and down the cliffs I decided to sit down and enjoy the glorious “Wild Atlantic”. With countless thoughts running in my mind, I realized that life is so short to be able to explore all the marvels of this world. An experience like this is for eternity and it has inspired me to embrace nature, leaving behind all the materialistic comforts. 

Unfortunately, there is no public transport available in these places. People need to have their own transport or can book tour through "Cork City Day Tour" which covers all of the above-mentioned places. Do keep in mind that Mizen head can get really cold and gets rains often, hence it's necessary to wear warm and water-resistant clothes. At Mizen head, they charge an entry fee as listed below. Per person, the charges are, for Adults: €7.50, for Senior Citizens (aged 65+): €6.00, for Students (with valid ID): €6.00, for Children (aged 5 to 15): €4.50 and for Families (inclusive of 2 adults & 4 children): €25.00. A small café and shopping unit are also situated at Mizen head for leisure.