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Author Archive for Mark Grace

Weather Outlook for West Cork in 2023

Posted by Mark Grace 
· January 19, 2023 
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Life is sometimes viewed as circular and beach holidays in West Cork are back in vogue.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s many of the local diaspora would return to West Cork for their annual beach holiday. So it was for Felicity’s family, who returned from London each year to holiday in a caravan that used to be on the small headland at the eastern end of Long Strand, Rathbarry. These sorts of holidays fell out of fashion in the last few decades with the increased popularity of overseas vacations.

Travel restrictions in 2020/21 due to COVID-19 forced the Irish at home to re-evaluate their holiday plans and many rediscovered the joys of the ‘staycation’ and the ‘traditional’ West Cork beach holiday. So much so that holiday traditions are being re-established for the new generation. Ballynoe House is finding returning guests booking a year in advance to grab their spot in the southwest.

Surely, Ireland is too cold for a beach holiday?

If recent years are to go by, this is no longer the case. Due to global warming there have been weeks of unbroken summer and autumn sunshine and temperatures are on the up. Even water temperatures, which are fed by the Gulf Stream, make swimming an enjoyable activity without the shivers. In 2022, the water was warm enough for normal swimming up until the end of October and wild swimming is very popular here all year round.

Swimming at Duneen Beach, West Cork

Following the lifting of post-COVID travel restrictions international travel to warmer holiday destinations has started to return. However, meteorological agencies expect 2023 to be in the top 10 of the hottest years on record, based on recent trends, as was 2022. So there is a lot more to consider when planning your annual family getaway.

It is true that international travel has not yet returned to normal, and ‘holidays in the sun’ are no longer as cheap as they were. Destinations such as the Canaries, the Mediterranean or continental Europe are not necessarily the best choice for holidays when you consider soaring and unhealthy temperatures, water shortages, droughts, forest and grassland fires, poor air quality, high UV levels and potential travel disruption. West Cork is an alternative. As it becomes warmer, it is once again ‘cool’.

West Cork is not only accessible for the Irish but also from any UK airport that provides the short direct flight to Cork international airport. This currently includes Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London (Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted), Manchester & Newcastle, and it not so from Amsterdam, Paris, Munich or Rome. So if you live within easy reach of any of these airports you can be in Cork in potentially the same amount of time it may take you to cross the UK or the continent to your usual holiday destination. There are countless empty beaches awaiting you, and Ballynoe House is less than an hour away from Cork airport.

On Instagram, you can check out some reels of our many local beaches without getting your feet wet. Consider us in your holiday planning.

Welcome (back) to West Cork!

Reservation & Booking enquiries

Instagram reels:

Duneen, Duneen, Duneen, Inchydoney, Inchydoney, Inchydoney, Long Strand, Long Strand, Long Strand, Long Strand, Long Strand, Red Strand, Red Strand, Sandscove, Warren Beach

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About Us

Ballynoe House has three luxury self-catering guesthouses situated just 10 minutes from Clonakilty, the multi-award-winning West Cork tourist hub, and within a short walk of several beaches; an ideal location for your holiday on this part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Our blog posts cover events and opportunities for activities in West Cork as well as Ballynoe House which has a Resident Genetic Genealogist / Family Historian and Resident Artist.

From Our Blog

  • Weather Outlook for West Cork in 2023
  • West Cork Rally 2023
  • Guest Reviews for Ballynoe House 2022
  • Why Guests Stay at Ballynoe House, West Cork
  • Guest Reviews for Ballynoe House 2021
  • One of the Best Autism-Friendly Holiday Locations in Ireland
  • 3rd February 2021 is the 4th International #BookDirect Guest Education Day
  • Ballynoe House COVID-19 Update
  • West Cork Garden Trail 2020
  • Travelling the Seven C’s – An Approach to Genetic Genealogy (Part 2)
  • Travelling the Seven C’s – An Approach to Genetic Genealogy (Part 1)
  • From Family Historian to Genetic Genealogist
  • West Cork DNA & Family History Symposium 2020
  • Out of Africa – A Personal Ancestral DNA Journey
  • A Sustainable Holiday Means Booking Direct
  • Reviews & Comments for Ballynoe House (from Summer/Autumn Guests 2019)
  • atDNA Goes Pop!
  • Look Before You Book (Our Video Archive)
  • Kevin the Rescue Jackdaw
  • Reviews & Comments for Ballynoe House (up to Spring 2019)
  • The Folds Beneath Your Feet
  • Heads Up on Dandelions
  • Miniature Rock Gardens
  • West Cork Rally 2019
  • Ballynoe House Offers Excellent Value for Money
  • Frequently-Asked Questions
  • Autism-Friendly Accommodation & Environment
  • Clonakilty Festivals
  • Safety & Security for our Guests
  • Forty Years of Family History Research in 2019
  • Sandscove – Our Secret Beach
  • What Use is Sibling DNA for Family History?
  • Sharing Your atDNA Test Results
  • Surf’s Up in West Cork
  • Clonakilty – Ireland’s Place of the Year for 2017
  • Children’s Activities at Ballynoe House
  • West Cork People (July 2018 Edition)
  • Flexible Family Accommodation
  • Self-Catering Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Cooking Yourself
  • Attending a Wedding or Event at a Clonakilty-area Hotel?
  • The Gypsy in Me
  • Partnering with FiveStar International
  • A Tour of Ballynoe Mews (Holiday Lets)
  • Ballynoe House Holiday Lets
  • A Connection to Michael Collins (1890-1922)?
  • Having a Whale of a Time
  • Ballynoe House Presents The Barn House
  • The Constant West Cork Gardener
  • DNA Solves a 170-Year-Old Family Mystery
  • DNA in Family History Research
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