Site Name:

National Grid Reference

W 588 457   Understanding grid references

Ordnance Survey Ireland Discovery Series:

87

Location

Ballinspittle Wood is located adjacent to Ballinspittle village, 10 km west of Kinsale on R600.   Download location map

How do I get there?

From Cork City take N71 via the airport to Innishannon, take the Ballinadee road to Ballinaspittle. 
Coming from West Cork take R600, after leaving Clonakilty follow coastal road east to Ballinspittle.

Ballinspittle

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Ballinspittle – Baile an Spidéil – Village of the Hospital.
Originally part of the Frank’s Estate, Ballinspittle Wood  lies adjacent to the village.  The northern section of the wood is on elevated ground overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  To the south one can see the Old Head of Kinsale and the fine sandy beaches close by at Garrettstown where many surfers enjoy the waves.

One can also see the location where the Lusitania sank on that fateful day, 7 May 1915.  to the west you overlook the bay of Courtmacsherry and the wild beauty of the Seven Heads.  The wood covers an area of 200 hectares and is an extremely popular amenity.  There are lovely easy woodland walks to be enjoyed of mixed conifer and broadleaf species.  On the southern end of the wood there is a spring well known as the ‘The Spa Bathing Bath’ or ‘Chalybeate Waters’ – this bath has a bee hive stone roof to protect its waters from rain.  These special waters were discovered in 1750 and many generations have been cured by bathing in its waters.

At the most southern edge of the wood, there is the remains of an area known as the ‘Rabbit Warren’.  Rabbit fur was used in the making of shoes and elegant gloves for ladies.  Much of its stone walls remain.  The ancient fort of Ballycatten is approximately 300 metres from the wood and can be seen from the northern section of the forest.  This fort with its triple ramparts saw many a battle and it was in this ancient spot that the Vikings were first defeated in a pitch battle by the Munster men a.d. 910.  The fertile mineral soil is derived from old red sandstone.

Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, European larch, Japanese Larch with a small sprinkling  of Lawson Cypress are the main tree species to be seen.  Broadleaves e.g. ash, oak, elm, beech, lime and birch can also be seen. Other flora common in the area are hazel, alder, sally, furze, blackberry and a wide variety of wild plants. Fauna that you might come across are fox, red squirrel, rabbit, hare, stoat and badger.

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