EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

SCHULL , as well as being the place from which to catch the ferry for Clear Island, Baltimore and Sherkin Island , is perhaps the most obvious place to stay on the Mizen Head Peninsula, an attractive seaside market town with plenty of cheery amenities aimed at holidaying families and the yachting fraternity. Schull's sheltered, bulb-shaped harbour looks out over Carbery's Hundred Islands, while Mount Gabriel rises to 1339ft to the north, offering wonderful views. To make this walk from Schull (9 miles there and back) head up Gap Road past the convent and you'll find a clear track all the way. From the top you can continue around the north side of the mountain, to return through Rathcool and Glaun. The domes at the summit of Mount Gabriel are aircraft-tracking stations. As you walk, beware of unguarded mine shafts: this rough and rocky land was heavily mined for copper in the nineteenth century, and is still dotted with Cornish-style mining chimneys.

Schull is at its liveliest during its sailing events . The international sailing festival for children is usually held the second week in July, when the town is awash with nautical teenagers, and the yachting set proper swamp the town for the regatta held in Calves week (following the August bank holiday weekend, usually the first week of the month). At these times accommodation can be difficult, and phoning ahead is advisable.