Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ringfort and fulacht fiadh sites in the townlands of Dromnea, Rossnacaheragh and Gorteanish.

[4] The Air India Memorial Garden is located at Ahakista, and each June the local community remembers the terrorist attack of 1985 that resulted in the deaths of over 300 people.

A sundial, designed by Cork sculptor, Ken Thompson, is the focal point of the garden and the sun hits the dial at 08:00, the time of the explosion.

[citation needed] There is a small sandy beach, and the 90 kilometres (56 miles) Sheep's Head Way marked trail passes through the village.

[9] A TFI Local Link bus service passes through Ahakista on a route which travels from Kilcrohane to Allihies (via Bantry).