On Brow Head, looking back up the Mizen Peninsula
Contrary to popular belief, Mizen Head is not the most southerly point on the Irish mainland – that distinction actually belongs to Brow Head, just to the east. Brow Head doesn’t have the same profile as Mizen Head: many people have never heard of it. But it’s magnificent, steeped in history, wonderfully scenic and best of all, totally walkable.
Possible prehistoric standing stone and field boundary, visible at low tide
You arrive at Brow Head by driving west from Schull out towards Crookhaven. If the water is low in the Haven you may spy the remains of ancient field boundaries, covered at high tide.
Galley Cove
The starting point is Galley Cove – a smaller and quieter beach than the popular Barley Cove a little further west, but featuring the same white sand and inviting Caribbean-blue water. You can leave the car here and proceed on foot uphill if you’re feeling in the need of an aerobic workout. Or you can drive up the narrow road, but be warned: if you meet a car coming down you may have to reverse a considerable distance. There is parking for three or four cars at the top of the hill.
Recently-erected standing stones
The first thing you’ll notice, in front of the lone house at the top of the hill, is an impressive row of standing stones, aligned to point back down the Mizen Peninsula. These are recent additions to the landscape, testament to the enduring tradition of erecting such stones in this part of the world.
Scramble up through the heather to the remains of the Napoleonic-era signal tower and the Marconi Telegraph Station – see Robert’s post for more about Marconi and early wireless telegraph in West Cork. From here there are panoramic views east to Crookhaven and down the Mizen Peninsula, west to Mizen Head, North to Barley Cove and southeast to the Fastnet Rock.
Follow the path now south west to the tip of the Head. This was a copper mining area in the nineteenth Century and you can still see the ruins of the Mine Captain’s house, miners’ dwellings and fenced off mine shafts. Abandoned cottages litter the north-facing slopes, with small overgrown fields defined by stone walls.
Near the tip of the Head you must cross a narrow causeway with steep cliffs on either side. This part is not for the faint of heart (or small children, perhaps) especially on a windy day. Find a sheltered spot at the end and sit a while. You may see gannets diving here, or dolphins in the waters below, and you will certainly be aware of the power of the pounding waves.
Next parish – America!
Before you leave, make sure that you make a wish – after all, this is a special place, and special places in Ireland have their own magic.
In the Haven
Roaringwater Journal 
Does Robert have a ‘gizmo’ for measuring how far beneath the sand the ‘standing stone’ penetrates?
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Finola, love your blogging about my soul place in West Cork. People from Brow Head came here to Minnesota in the mid-1800’s.
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About the time of the Famine? What were their names, do you know?
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Jean, I’ve got a feeling that we are DNA relatives! Your relatives actually came from Brow Head?
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It doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves, does it?
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Glorious – and the perfect weather to do this in. We were just amazed by this special place the first time we went. Some great photos.
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