Gougane Barra in West Cork has one of the most naturally spectacular unspoilt landscapes in Ireland, surrounded by mountains, a lake and the country’s first national park. It is the location of a famous holy island in the middle of this lake, that is linked by a causeway to the mainland. Since the 6th Century this island has been associated with the patron saint of Cork, St. Finbarr, and contains numerous religious buildings dating from the 17th to 20th centuries. The present St. Finbarr’s Oratory (1906) sits on this island and is a popular destination for pilgrims, visitors and weddings from all over the world. The River Lee rises in the mountains above Gougane Barra and makes its journey through villages, lakes and reservoirs before reaching the sea at Cork City Harbour, 89km away.