Eating & Drinking
Opposite Shana Court is the famous Mary Ann’s pub which produces fine quality local seafood with a bar and restaurant menu. Mary Ann’s also hosts the Warren Art Gallery promoting both local and international artists.

Further up the hill is Lil McCarthys, a traditional Irish pub.

Shops
There is a convenience store in the village selling basic supplies. Opening times are Mon-Sat 9:00-17:00 and Sun 10:00-13:00.

Skibbereen is 8km away and has supermarkets, a farmers market and a variety of shops. Skibbereen website

Beaches
Castletownshend has a public stony beach which is clean and safe for swimming, and a public pier suitable for launching small boats.

Sandycove is a sheltered sandy beach 2 miles away from Shana Court. You can sometimes see seals from the beach.

Sealife
West Cork is one of the best places in Europe for seeing whales, dolphins and seals. Trips out to see them can be arranged with Colin Barnes who can pick you up from the public pier. The best time of year to see whales is the autumn, whereas seals can be seen the year round.

Diving
There are many dive sites and wrecks round the coast. Trips can be booked with Baltimore Diving Centre. Dublin University Sub Aqua club recently described the area as “a largely untapped diving location with huge amount of potential” (DUSA on diving in Castletownshend).

Fishing
Sea fishing trips can be arranged locally. There is also river fishing in the area.

Walking
There is plenty of scenic walking in the area, including Knockdrum Stone Circle just outside the village and the ‘Five Fingers’ standing stones close by or why not visit the wishing well in nearby Glenbarahan near the old graveyard at Castlehaven and make a wish.

Sport
A five minute walk up the road is a public tennis court and children’s playground.

There are a number of golf courses in the area. More information on golf in Skibereen

Rowing & Sailing
The first two weeks in August is the Castletownshend regatta. Castletownshend Tide Times

Arts & Culture
St Barrahanes church overlooks the village, and is noted for its stained glass windows, some designed by Harry Clarke. The church hosts a series of classical musical concerts in July and August. More about the St Barrahanes concerts.

At the top of the hill is Drishane House, home of the writers Edith Somerville and V.M. Ross, authors of the Irish R.M. books. The house and gardens are open to the public during May, June and October Drishane website. West Cork Week has a little more about Drishane house gardens.

The area hosts festivals throughout the year such as
Skibbereen Arts Festival
Skibbereen Cloud festival
A Taste of West Cork
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
West Cork Literary Festival
Cork X Southwest music festival

More information
Cork Guide to Castletownshend
Skibereen heritage
West Cork music events