Walk of the Week: Spot with plenty of attractions to boot

COURTMACSHERRY/ BROADSTRAND WALK

Courtmacsherry’s attractions are too many to describe. The walker will find them - the plaque describing the workings of the Timoleague-Courtmacsherry branch railway line; the quaint railway station, now converted into a residence; the route of the railway line, now providing a 5km bayside promenade; Courtmacsherry Pier, its summer craft and fishing boats; Hamilton Row of fine Georgian seaside houses; refurbished Courtmacsherry Hotel and the ancient and beautiful cork oak that graces its front lawn.

Walking east, we turn right and walk uphill at St John’s, a pretty C of I chapel. We pass the neatly restored gate lodge to Kincragie, an ancient estate that has fallen into decay. The rhododendron alongside is 12m tall, and in April blooms in a mass of huge red flowers which later makes a red carpet of fallen blossom leading up the driveway past giant dawn redwoods and exotic trees.