Ireland's only model village, a hand-built 1:24 scale recreation of the 1940s West Cork Railway and the towns it served, set beside the water in Clonakilty. Miniature trains, boating, diggers and a road-train tour make it a hit with families.
The heart of the attraction: the 1940s towns of Clonakilty, Kinsale, Bandon and Dunmanway recreated at 1:24 scale. Every building is hand-made on site from resin and fibreglass and modelled on architect surveys, photographs and 1930-1950 records, with storyboards explaining the history.
Eight G-scale trains trundle around the miniature West Cork Railway line all day in all weathers. The computer-controlled trains run on 500 metres of track that must be polished every morning.
Steer a coin-operated boat around miniature Kinsale Harbour beneath the model of Charles Fort, or take charge of one of two coin-operated mini diggers by the cafe. Both are fun for adults as well as children.
Children get an indoor playroom (small ticket charge) and an outdoor play area with a colourful wooden train and climbing frames. Picnic benches overlook Clonakilty Bay, so bring a picnic while they play.
The cafe serves Fairtrade barista-style coffee, Barry's and herbal teas, cakes and ice cream, and is open daily all year. The gift shop stocks miniature trains, postcards, soft toys and a specialist range of West Cork Railway books and DVDs.
A 60 ft, wheelchair-friendly road train runs a guided audio tour through Clonakilty, past the hand-painted shopfronts and buildings recreated in miniature on site. Tours run daily in summer (mid May to mid September) and at weekends, midterms and bank holidays in winter.
A free sensory garden sits within the Model Village car park, created by Clonakilty Tidy Towns as a calm, safe space for children with autism, using materials and plants that appeal to all five senses.
Load the interactive map to explore this place location.
