WhosDogging Ireland
From the woods around Fermoy to Garryvoe, Kinsale and the West Cork coast – the spots our members use, with a map for each.
Cork is the second-busiest county in Ireland for dogging, behind only Dublin: around 470 spots and meet-ups have been shared here over the years. The scene is spread right across the county rather than packed into the city – forest car parks around Fermoy, beaches in East Cork and around the harbour, and quiet lay-bys and lakes in West Cork.
Below are the places our members talk about most, with a map for each one. Plenty of them are busy with walkers and beachgoers during the day, so we’ve noted when things usually liven up. Places change over time, so treat each one as a starting point and ask around before you set off.
The busiest spot in Cork at the moment: the forest car park at Corrin, on the hill above Fermoy beside the M8. Members say couples head up after dark, usually around 9 or 10pm on weeknights, and one regular reckoned weekends are quiet. The usual way of doing things is to flash your lights first, then switch the inside light on if you’re happy to be watched. Some nights start much later, around 2am.
Just down the road from Corrin, the lay-by on the R639 past the mart at Rathcormac. Members say people pull in from about 8 or 9pm and leave their hazards on so others know they’re up for fun, and a young couple said they liked meeting here after 9pm.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the lay-by on the R639
Just outside Fermoy, Kilworth Woods has been a Saturday-night spot for years. Flash your lights now and then so others know you’re there for fun. One couple trying it for the first time said they’d be there from 10 till midnight, couples only.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Glensheskin forest car park off the R667 at Kilworth
The forest car park at Moanbaun, just outside Watergrasshill. Members mention meet-ups from 9 to 10pm, and later on Friday nights – around 1am, when it’s nice and quiet.
One of Cork’s longest-running spots, talked about for more than 15 years: the picnic area beside the N20, on the Cork side of the Grenagh turn-off. A couple in their mid-30s said they’d head out around half eight or nine hoping to meet another couple who’d like to watch, and another couple liked calling in around 10 in the morning and taking the walk there too. Gardaí have been known to drop in, so keep it discreet.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the picnic area off the N20, just south of the Grenagh turn-off
In Mallow, members talk about the back of the Quartertown industrial estate in the evenings, once the units have closed for the day and it’s gone quiet.
The car park by Kanturk Castle, with the wood behind it. Members say it’s quiet after 7pm, and Saturday nights from about half one have been popular too. One member called it a very secure spot.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park by the castle
Outside Newmarket, the car park at the end of Island Road, by Island Wood. Members mention late nights here, from around half eleven.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Island Wood car park
Strictly speaking it’s just over the border in Tipperary, but Glengarra Wood is a short drive from Mitchelstown: take the old Dublin road past Kilbehenny, heading for Cahir, and it’s on the way. Members from North Cork mention it as a quiet spot in the woods.
East Cork’s best-known spot: the beach car park at Garryvoe, across from the hotel. Couples have been meeting here for years, usually from about 9pm, and the small hours – around 2am – are quieter. A few members have said it’s gone quiet lately, so check who’s heading out before you make the drive.
A small, quiet beach car park on the way to Ballycotton: take the left at a crossroads and it’s about a kilometre down. Members have seen couples here with their lights on and the windows down, usually after midnight on a Friday.
The car park by Little Island train station gets a mention from members looking for fun close to the city, and some pair Little Island with Garryvoe on the same night.
Curragh Wood, on the main road from Midleton to Lisgoold. There’s a car park at the entrance: leave the car there and it’s about a ten-minute walk up the path into the woods. Members mention it later in the evening, around 10 to 11pm.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park at the entrance to the wood
Members have asked about the lake at Castlemartyr, where there are a few quiet, private spots. The resort grounds themselves are private, so keep to the public areas.
Parking on the beach at Youghal, near the leisure centre. Members say it can get busy with guys looking for fun, so it’s one for couples who enjoy an audience.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Front Strand at Youghal
A small lake on the Youghal side of Midleton, just off the main road, with a picnic area beside the water. Members mention it mostly at weekends.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the picnic area by the lake
A quiet beach car park on the coast between Whitegate and Ballycotton that members mention for weekend meet-ups.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Ballybranagan beach car park
The beach at Inch, just east of Whitegate. One couple invited others along to watch here after 10pm, and it still gets the odd mention.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park by the beach
Ringaskiddy has been named for years – the beach and the car park near the bridge out to the naval base on Haulbowline. When members ask about “the usual spots around the harbour”, Ringaskiddy is always one of them.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Gobby Beach car park
Across the water near Crosshaven, the wood at Curraghbinny is a long-standing favourite. One couple said they always had great fun there, and members have set up nights here hoping to meet couples and women.
The car park by Fountainstown beach. One couple said they’d had fun here with a few cars watching, and reckoned it could be a great spot with a few more like-minded couples.
Up at Charles Fort, outside Kinsale, the car park doubles as a lookout over the harbour and the town. One member said it’s at its best after midnight: if you like being watched, leave a dim light on.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Charles Fort car park
On the road from Rochestown to Passage West, past Hop Island, there’s a car park facing the water at the end of the road. Members have mentioned it as a place to park up and see who’s about.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park facing the water
The first car park on the old railway walkway from Carrigaline to Crosshaven, just past the GAA club, is a spot members have mentioned for meeting up.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the walkway car park
The plane-spotting viewpoint on Black Hill at Ballygarvan, just south of Cork Airport. Members talk about meeting “at the airport viewing spot” at night, sometimes around midnight.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the viewpoint at Black Hill, Ballygarvan
The car park by the boat club on the Marina, beside the Lee, has been a favourite for years. Members have talked about Tuesday nights from 10pm and Fridays from midnight to 1am. One couple found it was mostly single guys, so couples may want to arrange to meet others first.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park by the boat club
On the north side of the city, the car park at Glen River Park off the Ballyhooly Road. Members mention it from Friday to Sunday nights.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park at the park
The woods at Garryduff, in Rochestown. Members mention late meet-ups at the rear entrance to the woods, around 2 or half 2 in the morning.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Garryduff Woods recreation area
A car park off Sarsfield Road in Wilton, on the south side of the city, gets a mention from members looking for somewhere close to home.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park off Sarsfield Road
Out in Ballincollig, members mention the Regional Park, near one of the side entrances, as a place where couples have enjoyed being watched.
Members say things have been happening at the car park in Blarney, and at a lay-by nearby.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park
Heading west towards Coachford, cross the bridge over the Lee and take the immediate right: there’s a lay-by about 200 yards down, by the greenway. One member asked recently whether people still use it, so check who’s about before you go.
West Cork’s busiest spot right now. Members talk about the big lay-by on the coast road between Owenahincha and the Long Strand – a lookout at the top of the hill – as well as the Long Strand car park itself. It’s mainly couples steaming up the windows, on Friday and Saturday nights once it’s dark, from about 10.30pm until 2am. Flick your lights to show you’re interested, or leave the inside light on if you’re happy to be watched. Some people stay the night, and you’ll see the odd camper van too.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the lay-by at the Galley Head viewpoint on the R598; the Long Strand car park is a short drive east
On the N71 between Leap and Rosscarbery, the big lay-by at Dromillihy Wood has woodland trails and a couple of picnic benches. Members say it’s mainly young couples in their cars, sometimes heading into the woods, and it’s far enough from houses to be left in peace – a good one for couples just starting out.
The car parks and the forest at Lough Hyne get a mention as a good spot at night, with plenty of room.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park by Lough Hyne Forest
A secluded lake car park near Drinagh with lots of space and privacy. Members say it’s been getting popular again, and if you’re feeling cheeky, leave your lights on.
Outside Clonakilty, Inchydoney has two car parks worth knowing: the lower one, which members mention most, and the one closer to the beach, which is worth a look too. Members say it livens up after about 10.30pm, at weekends and during the week.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the lower car park
Back in Clonakilty, members mention the industrial estate road on Saturday nights, from about half eleven, once the units have closed and it’s gone quiet.
In Ballineen, the car park by the playground and the pitch and putt gets a mention from members in the Bandon valley.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park by the pitch and putt
Heading towards Enniskeane, cross the bridge at the Béal na Bláth crossroads and there are forest entrances on either side of the road, which members have mentioned as quiet places to pull in.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the forest entrance
On the Macroom–Killarney road at Ballyvourney: opposite the Mills Inn, cross the bridge and the picnic area is on the left. Members have talked about Thursday evenings here, between 7 and 9pm.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the picnic area
Up in the hills at Gougane Barra, members mention parking just past the hotel, around midnight on a Saturday. It’s a long drive, but there are few places quieter.
On the Seskin road above Bantry, the viewpoint looking out over Bantry Bay is a beauty spot by day, and members mention it at weekends once it’s dark.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the viewpoint
The law is the same in Cork as everywhere else in the Republic: section 45 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 makes sex in a public place an offence, whether anyone sees it or not, and a car in a car park is no exception. Many of these spots are a long way from the city, so plan your route and check forest gate times before you head off. Wait until it’s late and quiet, respect anyone who just wants to be left alone, never take photos or film, and bring your rubbish home – one complaint from a dog walker can be enough to get a car park locked at night. For more on the law and the scene, see our guide to dogging in Ireland.
Corrin Woods near Fermoy, Garryvoe beach and the Long Strand in West Cork are the busiest right now. Others include Kilworth and Watergrasshill, the Mallow road picnic area, Ringaskiddy, Curraghbinny and Fountainstown around the harbour, the Marina and Blarney closer to the city, Charles Fort in Kinsale, and lakes and lay-bys across West Cork.
No. Sex in any public place is against the law in Ireland, even if no one sees you. Members who go anyway keep it late, choose quiet spots well away from houses, and drive on if someone else turns up. Our page Is dogging legal? goes into more detail (general information only, not legal advice).
The coast road between Owenahincha and the Long Strand, near Rosscarbery, especially on Friday and Saturday nights after dark.
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