ROCKY BAY

Habitat & Species – See pairs of Fulmars breed on the surrounding cliffs in summer, South & East Bird Trail Oystercatchers feeding along the rocky shore, or a Peregrine Falcon patrolling the skies.

INTRODUCTION SECAD History - Many shipwrecks have been recorded Take a tour around the Ring of Cork Bird Trail, a driving route of over 100km, stretching from Rocky Bay South & East Cork Area Development (SECAD) is a local non-profit-making partnership group. Our overall here, as far back 17th century, the most infa- in South Cork, to Pilmore Strand in East Cork. The trail can be enjoyed by everyone, young and old alike; objective is to promote greater sustainability across the communities that live in South and East Cork mous being the paddle-steamer Killarney which from complete beginners to bird watching enthusiasts, as it takes you on a journey through a region of through investments promoting balanced enterprise, social and environmental development. left Cork for Bristol in 1838 when survivors national and international importance for birds. clung to a pinnacle of rock for two days awaiting The Ring of Cork Bird Trail is one example of SECAD’s multi-dimensional strategy to encourage a greater rescue. Remember too that the type and number of birds you can see here will change with the seasons, so awareness of our most precious environment, whilst also promoting eco-education and eco-tourism there is something different to see all year round. Don’t forget your binoculars; essential for those real across South & East Cork. close up views! To learn more about our work please find us atwww.secad.ie ROBERTS COVE

Habitat & Species - Take a walk towards the mouth of the harbour and you may spot the Fulmar, Black Guillemot or Chough. Watch out for the Great Northern Diver in the winter months.

History - Midway between Roberts Cove and Rocky Bay is a well preserved signal tower built in 1806 it was used as a location in a 2012 TV production of the classic, Treasure Island.

MINANE BRIDGE

Habitat & Species – Here it’s as much about listening as birdwatching. You may hear a peculiar squealing sound from reedy areas; the distinctive call of the very secretive Water Rail, more often heard than seen.

History - The second oldest Roman Catholic Church in the diocese of Cork and Ross, built in 1755 was beautifully restored in 1836. Nearby is the ancestral home of 1916 GPO patriot, Diarmuid Lynch, who is buried in the graveyard of Tracton Abbey.

KILNAGLEARY

Habitat & Species - The birds here are accustomed to people using the footpaths which allows you to get a good close look at different species.

History - In 1972, the yacht, Gypsy Moth V, was constructed in Crosshaven boatyard for Sir Francis Chichester, and in 1976 explorer and historian, Tim Severin, set off from here in a hide-covered boat, re-enacting the voyage of the 8th century Irish monk, St. Brendan.

GOLDEN ROCK

Habitat & Species - In recent years, a flock of Brent Geese has begun to use this area, with their numbers steadily increasing. They travel from Arctic Canada to spend the winter months in Ireland.

History - Dramatically situated on headlands at opposite sides of the entrance to , Visit www.secad.ie or stands Fort Camden and Fort Carlisle; you can www.ringofcork.ie access Fort Camden on this side of the water by or scan the QR code going through the village of Crosshaven. RAFEEN CREEK KENNEDY PIER ROSTELLAN LAKE GARRYVOE

Habitat & Species - During the winter months, Habitat & Species - While some gulls are Habitat & Species - Autumn and winter sees Habitat & Species - Watch flocks of migrating many species of wildfowl and waders flock to present all year round, Cobh is famous for visits the arrival of large flocks of ducks, including birds during spring and autumn from the beach this important feeding area, at the southern from rare gulls. The winter months are best for Wigeon, Teal and Tufted Ducks. Listen out for and dunes here at Garryvoe. Wheatears and end of Cork Harbour, to avoid the harsh spotting the different species, especially the distinctive, peculiar squealing call of the Black Redstarts are often seen at the tideline, conditions of Northern Europe and Iceland mid-week when the fishing trawlers are secretive Water Rail from reedy areas. with Terns visible offshore. unloading their catch of the day. History - Ringaskiddy was a small fishing History - Rostellan Wood, around the lake’s History - The ruins of the old parish church, village until 1969, when Pfizer, the History - Kennedy Pier, originally known as shore, has a great diversity of tree species; Oak, Victoria Pier was built in the 1860’s. After a built in late medieval times, its walls now partly pharmaceutical company, constructed a citric Ash, Beech, Sycamore, Spanish Chestnut, Alder, obscured by ivy, stands in the centre of the acid plant and the industrialisation of this area succession of formal and informal names it Birch, Eucalyptus, Japanese Larch and many became better known as Admiralty Pier, before graveyard. Claimed to have been in good repair began. For panoramic views of Cork Harbour more. Look out for the underground ice-house, in 1615, the church was in ruins by 1774. walk up the Lough Beg Road to the site of being renamed John F Kennedy Pier in the once used as a cold room for storing fish and a Martello Tower on a hilltop above Ringaskiddy. 1960’s in memory of the US President. meat.

HARTYS QUAY ROSSLEAGUE PIER RING STRAND

Habitat & Species - Several thousand waders Habitat & Species - Large numbers of waders Habitat & Species - During the winter the Habitat & Species - Ring Strand and the and wildfowl winter on the Douglas Estuary and wildfowl feed here during the autumn and sheltered aspect of Aghada Pier allows superbly estuary of the Womanagh River, a Special between October and March. On the lagoons winter, including Oystercatchers, Curlew, close-up views of up to four Grebe species, Black Protection Area (EU Habitats Directive), is an and ponds on the southern side of the walkway Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwing. Guillemots and other Auks, Great Northern important winter habitat for wading birds, you can often spot Little Egret, Teal, Moorhen Divers, Red-breasted Mergansers and Gulls. especially Golden Plover. and if you are lucky occasionally a Kingfisher. History - Belvelly Bridge was constructed in 1807 and is the only bridge linking Great Island History - Queen Victoria’s visit to Cobh in 1849 History - The 18th century Gaelic poet Piaras History - Nearby is Blackrock Castle – in around with the mainland. On the Great Island side of gave motivation to the construction of the pier. Mac Gearailt who presided over bardic meetings 1600, after appeals from the people of Cork to the Bridge is Belvelly Castle, a typical mediaeval From Cobh, named Queenstown in her honour, at Ballykinealy, originated from this area. His Queen Elizabeth 1st, a round tower was built to square tower dating from the 15th century, the Royal Yacht, Victoria & Albert, sailed the most famous poem ‘Rose Catha na Mumhan’ help protect the City against pirates and other reputed to have once belonged to Sir Walter scenic journey through Cork Harbour, passing (The War Song of Munster) was set to music. invaders. Remains of the circular tower are still Raleigh. waterside villages like Aghada on route to visible today on the water’s edge. Cork City.

GLASHABOY ESTUARY BALLINTUBBRID WHITEGATE BAY PILMORE STRAND

Habitat & Species - The estuary walk is a Habitat & Species - Spotting rare ducks and Habitat & Species - Gulls are plentiful here; Habitat & Species - At low tide, watch out good place to see the variety of bird species grebes is always a possibility; American Wigeon Whitegate Bay holds the largest gathering of for the large flock of Golden Plovers resting on found in the Glashaboy Estuary, an area have been seen quite regularly, and although Mediterranean Gulls in the country, with the beach. In autumn you can see Little Stints, designated for the protection of a wide range geese are rare in East Cork, this is one of the few sightings of some interesting species like Curlew, Sandpipers, and many Terns. of wintering water birds, as part of the Cork places you have a chance of seeing Brent Geese. Ring-billed Glaucous and Iceland Gull. Harbour Special Protection Area. History - Brown Island Quay was built in the History - This is a beach worth exploring. It is History - In the 1800s, Glanmire was nothing 1880’s for boats bringing timber, coal, wool History - At one time the coal boats were full of history and mystery. It was probably here, more than a small village; a smallpox fever and grain across the estuary, to and from regular callers to the Whitegate Piers, whilst the or on the banks of the nearby Womanagh River once killed many of the villagers. Close by was a Ballinacurra. During Penal times, the Island was Geata Ban brought in supplies and passengers that the first Viking long boats were dragged highly industrialised area with woollen factories used to smuggle whiskey and wool to Europe in from Cork. However improved transport ashore to form a sheltered settlement. and mills scattered around the Glashaboy River. return for tea, wines and tobacco. facilities eventually made the boats redundant.

GLOUNTHAUNE PLAYGROUND ESTUARY BALLYCOTTON CLIFF WALK LOUGH ADERRA Habitat & Species - Harper’s Island is a Habitat & Species - Sedge Warblers and Reed Habitat & Species - Rarities to be sighted Habitat & Species - A great place for birds all particularly important area for birds to roost at Buntings breed here in summer and Little Egrets along the Ballycotton cliffs include, Booted year round is Lough Aderra, a National Wildfowl during high tides; you will see large flocks of can be seen for much of the year. In the winter Warbler, Alpine Swift, Ivory Gull, Cory’s, Sanctuary. One of the few fresh water lakes in Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank using the months you can see the wintering waders Shearwaters, and Sabine’s Gulls. East Cork, this is possibly the best site in Cork to safety of the fields as they wait for the tide to Lapwings and Redshank. see the scarce Gadwall. drop, exposing the mud once again. History - Dwyer’s Road, named after William History - Ballycotton’s Mary Stanford Lifeboat History - This area, once known as ‘The Quay’ in Dwyer, founder of Midleton Worsted Mills, was and her brave crew, was the first, and to date History - In the extreme harsh winter of 1939 the late 1700’s had only a few very small houses originally called Boreen Oatencake, said to have the only Lifeboat in RNLI history to have been the lake froze over and remained so for several and two quays to facilitate lighters with their taken its name from the generosity of a local awarded a gold medal for gallantry for the weeks. People came from near and far to walk cargoes of stone, sand, lime and various farming inhabitant who fed the poor with oat cakes famous Daunt Lightship rescue on 11th and skate across the lake; it is reported that supplies, mainly for the local landlords. during the Great Famine (1845-1850). February 1936. a car, motorcycle and boys with bicycles also crossed the frozen lake.

SLATTY’S BRIDGE SALEEN CREEK BALLYMONA STRAND South & East Cork Habitat & Species - Two distinct habitats have Habitat & Species - On this tidal mudflat Habitat & Species – See pairs of Fulmars evolved here where the main Cobh to Cork road of Saleen Creek, at the eastern edge of Cork breed on the surrounding cliffs in summer, crosses the most northern edge of Cork Harbour. Harbour, waders and wildfowl gather to feed Oystercatchers feeding along the rocky shore, Bird Trail On the west of the bridge you have an estuarine and roost, from late autumn through to early or a Peregrine Falcon patrolling the skies mudflat and on the east is a brackish lagoon. spring. For more information History - Many shipwrecks have been recorded History - Up until 1807, this area was History - One the southern side of Saleen here, as far back 17th century, the most visit www.secad.ie or submerged by the sea, reaching up to the Creek, almost submerged by the tidal waters infamous being the paddle-steamer Killarney www.ringofcork.ie south and west walls of Barryscourt Castle. of Cork harbour and the creek, is the site of a which left Cork for Bristol in 1838 when Carrigtwohill Village is situated on a slight rise Megalithic tomb. The Rostellan Dolmen is the survivors clung to a pinnacle of rock for two or scan the QR code of ground which was at one time a point of land only example of its kind in Ireland to wear a days awaiting rescue. jutting into the sea. garland of seaweed.