There’s something that compels us into the woods in the spring. It’s all that verdant growth, perhaps – the sap rising in us as well as in the trees. Or maybe it’s the cool green-ness or those swathes of extravagant bluebells and celandine. Here are three of our favourites, just in little slideshows.
Inish Beg
An old estate, beautifully managed by its owners. We visited in April, before the bluebells but in time for the carpet of Celandine. The walks are varied, there are lots of ponds and riverside vistas, and treasure hunts for kids and adults. Do you know all the Presidents of Ireland? Can you find them all?
Dromillihy
Betwen Leap and Cononagh along the N71 you will find a car park providing access to this woodland managed by Coillte, the Irish Forest Service. More extensive than it looks from the road, these walks are a delight for all ages, with lots of fairy houses for the kids and, when we walked the trails recently, acres of bluebells.
Castlefreke
Another old estate managed by Coillte – a series of woodland walks linked by roads and trails. There’s a ruined church and old graveyard, great views across old farm buildings, and ancient trees. We were there a week ago and the bluebells were heavenly.
What are your favourite woodland walks in West Cork?
Roaringwater Journal 
Few environments are as beautiful as woodland and I also enjoy walking in them very much. I abhor the practice of littering which has become commonplace – the dumping of fairy doors and miniature houses in woodland!
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I think you’re in a minority there, Paddy – the kids seemed delighted and their parents love that they can get their kids into the woods with that added incentive.
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I imagine I’m well in the minority but I still dislike it.
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The woodlands on the headland beyond Courtmacsherry are pretty spectacular, vast swathes of ramsons and wood anenomies. Rineen woods are also lovely, the first place that fairy houses appeared in recent times, as far as I know!
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Yes! Courtmacsherry woods are spectacular. Must head back there.
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The woods are looking their very best at the moment, the bluebells have put on a spectacular display. Snazzy new photo display going on.
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Not much text this week!
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Boudicca’s Bath? – I didn’t know she got over here!
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Well, she must have, since it’s HER bath.
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