Esther McCarthy: The joy of people-watching — West Cork-shtyle

Being a keen observer of the human race, I’ve noticed some interesting holiday group dynamics. Here are my favourites from the summer stay-county-cation of 2024.

Poster of Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy in their home town of Skibbereen. Picture: Esther McCarthy

Being a tourist in your own county is underrated. This is especially true if you’re lucky enough to have been born in Cork. So, we decide a smug countycation is the way to go, and we spend a brilliant week gallivanting around West Cork.

Yoga on the beach, followed by a dip and a sauna on Inchydoney? Check. Cave exploring on Red Strand? Check. Jumping off the pier in Cape Clear, cruising along with dolphins around the Fastnet, messing on the lagoon in Rosscarbery, bawling crying in a bar in Baltimore at Rashidat Adeleke’s heartbreaking 400m fourth place interview, riding the rapids at Lough Hyne, surfing in Castlefreke, catching mackerel with feathers, gutting mackerel with trepidation, eating mackerel with the glee of a thousand Bear Grylls — all ticked off the to-do list.