Dawn Pilgrimage and Swim in West Cork
Overview
While the short hike on the pilgrims path is designed for people of all faiths and none, many people describe this dawn hike on a 1,500 year old pilgrims path as almost a spiritual experience.
Combined with the dip or swim afterwards and a hot breakfast, it is the perfect way to start your day in West Cork.
What's Included
- Breakfast We provide a hot breakfast of porridge plus plenty of tea and coffee that is guaranteed to warm you back up.
- Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
- Swim-buoys provided.
Meeting Location
GR96+3FM Farrandau West
County Cork, Ireland
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Begin your day with a peaceful walk to a 1,500-year-old holy well, steeped in legend. Take an invigorating sea swim at Castlehaven Strand—wetsuits and swim buoys included. Warm up with a hearty hot breakfast, and savour enthralling tales of local history and folklore.
We start with a short dawn hike using a pilgrims path that dates back over 1,500 years to visit the secret holy well known as Tobar Bearcháin.
Local seafarers and swimmers traditionally travelled this path to ask St Bearcháin for protection from the sea.
We then return to the strand and after a brief safety chat, we will dip or swim on the beach using the swim buoys and optional wetsuits provided.
While this is an exceptionally sheltered bay and we stay close to the shore at all times, no swim buoy = no swim.
We will finish with a hot drink and a light breakfast back on the shore and listen to two amazing stories about the prince of Donegal, Aodh Ruadh Uí Dhomhnaill and the martyr known as Blessed Dominic Collins who are both associated with this tiny beach.
Fun fact: this pilgrimage is 400 years older than the Camino.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Dawn Pilgrimage and Swim in West Cork?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-351608P2
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 25 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
- Breakfast. We provide a hot breakfast of porridge plus plenty of tea and coffee that is guaranteed to warm you back up.
- Tea and coffee. Coffee and/or Tea.
- Swim-buoys provided.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 10. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Dawn Pilgrimage and Swim in West Cork is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Dawn Pilgrimage and Swim in West Cork will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- BreakfastWe provide a hot breakfast of porridge plus plenty of tea and coffee that is guaranteed to warm you back up.
- Tea and coffeeCoffee and/or Tea
- Swim-buoys provided.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
