Ovens brings together golf and monastic history with nature experiences in nearby Farran Forest Park. Each destination has a different focus: from a championship course to distinctive monastic architecture and short and longer woodland trails. This lets you plan your trip around your interests without combining the attractions into a single itinerary.
Golf in Ovens
Lee Valley Golf Club is located in Clashanure, Ovens, County Cork. Lee Valley Golf & Country Club in Ovens has an 18-hole championship course designed by Irish Ryder Cup player Christy O’Connor Jnr. The course has been included three times in Golf Digest’s list of Ireland’s 100 best golf courses. Golf is therefore a notable part of Ovens’ profile; at the same time, Ovens and its surroundings offer other themes to explore on your trip.
Kilcrea Friary and Ovens Church
Kilcrea Franciscan Friary was founded in 1465 by Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry. It is a state-owned National Monument managed by the Office of Public Works. Visitors can see the unique multi-windowed sacristy and the scriptorium north of the choir. This area is the most richly decorated part of the building and offers a distinctive perspective on the friary’s architecture.
St. John the Baptist Church also has its own building history: it was built in 1831 and extensively renovated in 1985 and 1986 under the direction of Fr. Declan Crowley, later Canon Declan Crowley. Different periods are therefore in focus: the founding of the Franciscan friary in the 15th century, and the church’s construction and renovation dates.
A parish announcement from June 2023 states that an annual Eucharistic procession takes place for the Feast of Corpus Christi after the 11:30 a.m. Mass. If you would like to attend, check the current date in advance.
Woodland trails and scenery at Farran Forest Park
At nearby Farran Forest Park, you can choose between two trails of different lengths and durations. The Enclosure Trail is 1.1 kilometres long, takes about 25 minutes and is rated easy. The Woodland Loop is 3 kilometres long, takes about an hour and is considered moderate. The comparison helps with planning your time: the shorter trail takes less time and is rated easier; the longer loop covers a different distance and has a higher difficulty rating.
The park lies on the south shore of Inniscarra Lake and offers views of the reservoir. The wildlife enclosure is home to red deer, fallow deer and ducks. A branch trail leads to Mallard Cove, where you can watch fish jumping. These opportunities to enjoy the scenery and observe wildlife complement the walking trails, without requiring all these experiences to be part of the same route.
For another activity, Zipit in the park offers a high ropes course with 86 activities and more than 800 metres of zip lines. As well as waymarked trails, Farran Forest Park offers climbing and zip-lining activities. Which option is right for you depends on whether you would rather follow a specified walking route, seek out the views along the lake shore or focus on the high ropes course activities.
Ovens offers specific starting points for a trip combining golf, architectural history and nature. Kilcrea Friary and the church offer different historical perspectives; the two trails in Farran Forest Park can be compared by their stated duration, length and difficulty rating. If you are looking for holiday rentals, this guide can help you connect your interests with Ovens and nearby experiences.
Discover more destinations: Macroom, Skibbereen, Farnanes, Clonakilty, Carrigboy, Baltimore, Garrettstown, Rosán.
For the wider travel guide: Cork.
