Clonakilty, the Jungle City and a Surfers Paradise

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Red Strand and Galley Head encompass a quieter part of the South West Coast but are no less beautiful than their popular neighbours. The nearby town of Clonakilty has had a significant effect on the area for many reasons. A small bustling, cosmopolitan town, it has become renowned for many reasons.

Overlooking Clonakilty Bay-Suzanne Burns
Overlooking Clonakilty Bay-Suzanne Burns

Clonakilty won the Tidy Towns competition in 1999 and went on to become Ireland’s first official Fair Trade town in 2003. This was not the end of the accolades that were yet to come with it also being the first ever Irish town/city to be awarded European Destination of Excellence in 2007.
The positivity, creativity and sense of spirit that this innovative town has engendered is nothing short of mind boggling. In 2012 they created the ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ Festival with the motto ‘Cut the Misery and Spread the Positivity’.
Approaching the windswept and wild coast towards Galley Head lighthouse-Suzanne Burns
Approaching the windswept and wild coast towards Galley Head lighthouse-Suzanne Burns

The same year the local organisation ‘Sustainability Clonakilty’ joined forces with the NGO, ‘Elephant Family’ to create ‘Jungle City’. Thirty animal sculptures were created as permanent art fixtures to be found around the town and a map to find the various creatures. Of these sculptures, some are vividly coloured elephants. In 2008, both organisations worked on a project to save the Asian elephant and it’s habitat in India. The project was called ‘The Survival Tour’ and 13 life sized Asian elephant sculptures were created. They toured around Ireland and England raising awareness of the elephant’s plight. The tour raised half a million euros and became the precursor and inspiration for the ‘Jungle City’. With all things sustainable in mind, Clonakilty hopes to become carbon neutral by 2020.
Happy tour group at Red Strand-Suzanne Burns
Happy tour group at Red Strand-Suzanne Burns

After our jaunt in the urban jungle we ventured out to the local beach, Red Strand which is a hit with surfers. A long, golden sand beach with magnificent views out onto the Dundeady peninsula and Galley Head lighthouse. It is nestled in Dirk Bay and is blessed with a sheltered reef that has a reasonably consistent surf with the best wind coming from the North. Surf is best here at high tide but attention is required due to rocks in the line up. The bay also has a tolerable anchorage in the fine sand with decent holding. It won the Green Coast award in 2016 for excellent water quality and beach condition.

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