Harbour View beach in Kilbrittain is a true gem of a beach on the Wild Atlantic Way. It is located approximately 10km from Bandon and 15 km from Kinsale.
Harbour View is adjacent to Coolmain Beach and only a few miles from Howe Strand and the Coast Guard Station which was burnt by the IRA in the 1920s.
The 3 beaches are stunning places for a stroll on the beach and kite and wind surfing.
Read on to learn more about Harbour View and it’s beauty.
Harbour View Beach – Should I Visit?
Back in the 80s, Harbour View Beach was always thronged during the summer months. Hordes descended upon the beach on those long hot summer days.
The weather was definitely better way back then and after scalding ourselves pink in the sun we moved off the beach to The Pink Elephant for food where the crowds were sometimes 4-5 deep at the bar trying to get a pink.
Nowadays, Harbour View doesn’t get the masses of people it did a few decades ago.
Lots of Cork City folk go and stay in Garretstown Beach Caravan Parks and Garrylucas. Or they go the other direction to East Cork and Garryvoe.
Harbour View is certainly not a secret beach but you will find mainly locals around here now or kite surfers and paddle boarders or an occasional tourist on the Wild Atlantic.
As a local even now, the view after passing the Pink Elephant still takes my breath away. When the sun shines on Harbour View it truly is a magnificent site.
Harbour View, West Cork Webcam
- Webcam here
I use this camera regularly to see whether the tide is in or out or what the waves are like.
If i want to go for a longer walk with the dogs it’s a great spot to visit and enjoy a long stroll out to meet the tide, see horses out for walks and even link up with Coolmain beach and back around by the main road via the framing shop and the causeway.
Kite Surfing and Surfing at Harbour View
Over the last 10 years, more and more people are kite surfing as well as old school surfing and paddle boarding.
Harbour view offers a great day out for many of the county’s surfer community.
The winds and waves are amazing at this somewhat sheltered and shallow watered harbour with great views across to Courtmacsherry and in along the channel to Timoleague.
Famous People from the Kilbrittain
Famous Artist
Cork artist, Áine Devine, who shot to fame in Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year 2014 hails from Kilbrittain and this very beach is home to her.
Áine was a finalist in the competition and it certainly did her career a wealth of good and put Kilbrittain on the map.
Young Offenders Actress
You might know her as potty mouthed Siobhan from ‘The Young Offenders’ but Jennifer Barry is one of our own from Kilbrittain too.
As the feisty Siobhan she became pregnant by Jock in this smash hit Irish TV show which had the country in stitches. A comedy show which was pure Cork like.
Harbour View – Worth a Visit
This fabulous beach is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area of west Cork.
You won’t be disappointed if you stop here even to sit on one of the picnic benches and soaking up the view.
