Irish town branded "one of country’s gems" as it bags "best in Europe" award

Known for its color, coastal charm, and culinary delights, the town of Clonakilty in West Cork bagged the prestigious award for the second time in seven years after taking it home at the 2017 awards ceremony.

The town also won the Best Place of the Year title that same year, making it three awards as a testament to the area’s charm—not only for tourists but also for locals.

Enticing 

Clonakilty is a town in County Cork, located at the head of the tidal Clonakilty Bay and is surrounded by a hilly country devoted primarily to dairy farming The town’s population as of 2011 is 4,721. It is an integral part of West Cork’s tourist attraction and is noted for its vibrant culture and nightlife.

Gallely Head Lighthouse, Clonakilty.

Speaking to the US-based site The Irish Star, Sean Scully of Scully Distilleries, based in the award-winning town, said that their business has a "great story to tell" adding that because they do things differently as a maritime distillery, people are "excited to learn about it".

Heritage

Staying on the food and drink topic, it’s no surprise that Clonakilty has walked away with the top prize with a famed food scene recommended by many.

Known as the birthplace of the acclaimed Irish sausages and black pudding, the West Cork town has earned its spot on the culinary hotbed, complete with a visitor center for those keen on exploring the brand’s significance and heritage in the coastal town.

Clonakilty Pudding Visitor's Centre.

Clonakilty is also well known for its superb seafood, which is served fresh by local fishmongers and in pubs and restaurants after being caught along West Cork’s uninterrupted coastline.

Breathtaking

Organic farms, cheesemakers, foragers, bakers, and even coffee roasters are all part of the thriving food scene with hundreds of industry-leading products hailing from the Western townland.

Inchydoney, Clonakilty, County Cork.

As for its beaches, Clonakilty is home to numerous breathtaking beaches, such as Inchydoney and Long Strand, sporting kilometers of the perfect sandy landscape for tourists to spend hours on, no matter the time of year.

They can witness the amazing marine life that calls Cork’s waters home with an Atlantic Whale and Wildlife Tour.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.