County Image
727_2.jpg
727_3.jpg
727_4.jpg
727_5.jpg
727_1.jpg

County Cork

Cork is Ireland's largest county, and its individualistic people take pride in this distinction as they savour the variety of their territory, which ranges from the rich farmlands of the east to the handsome coastline of West Cork, where the light of the famous Fastnet Rock swings across tumbling ocean and spray-tossed headland.

In this extensive county, the towns and villages have their own distinctive character. In the west, their spirit is preserved in the vigour of the landscape. By contrast, East Cork’s impressive farming country. radiating towards the ancient estuary port of Youghal, is invitingly prosperous.

The spectacularly located township of Cobh - facing south over Cork Harbour -  asserts its own identity, with a renewed sense of its remarkable maritime heritage being expressed in events such as a Sea Shanty Festival, while the town's direct link with the Titanic – Cobh was the ill-fated liner’s last port of call – is also commemorated in many ways.

Different again in character is Kinsale, a bustling sailing/fishing port which is home to many intriguing old buildings, yet is a place which is vibrantly modern in outlook, and it has long been seen as Ireland’s gourmet capital.      

The county is a repository of the good things of life, a treasure chest of the finest farm produce, and the very best of seafood, brought to market by skilled specialists. As Ireland's most southerly county, Cork enjoys the mildest climate of all, and it's a place where they work to live, rather than live to work. So the arts of living are seen at their most skilled in County Cork, and they are practised in a huge territory of such variety that it is difficult to grasp it all, even if you devote your entire vacation to this one county.


Local Attractions and Information

Ballydehob Nature Art Centre +353 (0)28 37323

Bantry Bantry House +353 (0)27 50047

Bantry Murphy's International Mussel Fair (May) +353 (0)27 50360

This annual celebration of the harvesting of mussels in Bantry Bay is not just about mussels. With open-air music, marching bands, street theatre and plenty of eating! Bantry Bay mussels are available free of charge at all bars, restaurants and hotels during the weekend.

Bantry Tourism Information +353 (0)27 50229

Blarney Blarney Castle +353 (0)21 438 5252

Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival (early September) +353 (0)28 39157

Carrigtwohill Fota Estate (Wildlife Park, Arboretum) +353 (0)21 481 2728

Castletownbere Mill Cove Gallery (May to Sept.) +353 (0)27 70393

Castletownroche Annes Grove (gardens) +353 (0)22 26145
(historic collection of magnolia and rhododendron)

Clonakilty Lisselan (formerly known as Lisselan Estate) Golf Club, Gardens & Fishing +353 (0)23 33249

Cobh The Queenstown Story +353 (0)21 481 3591

Cobh Sirius Arts Centre +353 (0)21 481 3790

Cork Airport
+353 (0)21 431 3131

Glanmire Dunkathel House +353 (0)21 482 1014

Glanmire Riverstown House +353 (0)21 482 1205

Glengarriff Garinish Island +353 (0)27 63040

Kinsale Gourmet Festival (early October) c/o +353 (0)21 477 2234

This is an annual event which promotes all the delights and flavours of Kinsale, Cork and Ireland as well as introducing an international theme from which the restaurants of Kinsale can gain inspiration.

Kinsale Charles Fort +353 (0)21 477 2263

Kinsale Desmond Castle +353 (0)21 477 4855

Kinsale Tourism Information 0+353 (0)21 477 2234

Macroom Brierly Gap Cultural Centre +353 (0)26 42421

Mallow Cork Racecourse +353 (0)22 50207

Midleton Farm Market Sats 9am-1.30pm +353 (0)21 464 6785 / 463 1096

Midleton Jameson Heritage Centre +353 (0)21 461 3594

Millstreet Country Park +353 (0)29 7l810

Mizen Head Mizen Vision Signal Station +353 (0)28 35591

Shanagarry Ballymaloe Cookery School Gardens +353 (0)21 464 6785

Schull Ferries to Sherkin, Cape Clear and Fastnet +353 (0)28 28278

Schull Schull Planetarium +353 (0)28 28552

Skibbereen Creagh Gardens +353 (0)28 22121

Skibbereen Tourism Information +353 (0)28 21766

Skibbereen West Cork Arts Centre +353 (0)28 22090

Consisting of a main gallery showing exhibitions all year and the mini gallery which highlights crafts from the area. The centre runs a community and educational programme where artists work with schools. Talks and workshops are organized in the gallery.

Slow Food Ireland
(c/o Glenilen Farm, Drimoleague) +353 (0)28 31179

Youghal Myrtle Grove +353 (0)24 92274

This attractive house was the home of Sir Walter Raleigh when he was resident in Youghal. It was purchased by Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, in 1602. It is a fine example of a late medieval building.

Gardens

Illnacullen - Garinish Island - Glengarriff County Cork Ireland
Illnacullin
Glengarriff, Co. Cork
Most great gardens are the acolytes of grand houses, but Illnalcullin is the exception for the garden Peto and planted by Bryce in a garden made possible by dint of rock blasting, boatloads of top soil, a workforce of 100, plus shelter belts of c ...

Golf

Blarney Golf Club - Blarney County Cork Ireland
Blarney Golf Resort
Blarney, Co. Cork
Course Type: Parkland
Blarney Golf Resort was co-designed by one of the games most colourful and best-loved characters, two time Major winner and infamous 'big hitter' John Daly, you can be sure there will be some unique holes to play along the way. Take the 601 yard ...

Self Catering

Inish Beg Estate - Self Catering Baltimore County Cork Ireland
Inish Beg Estate
Baltimore, Co. Cork
Inish Beg is a beautiful private island estate in West Cork; with a stone bridge connecting Inish Beg to the mainland, a few miles from the thriving market town of Skibbereen and the idyllic little port of Baltimore with its sailing, fishing and ...

What's On

There is no featured What's On in this county

Tourist Attractions

Mizen Head Signal Station - Goleen Mizen Head County Cork Ireland
Mizen Head Signal Station
Goleen, Co. Cork
Mizen Head Signal Station at the end of the Mizen Peninsula is Ireland's most Southwesterly point and is a spellbinding place to visit in all weathers. A ten minute walk to the Signal Station down the famous 99 steps, and over the Arched Bridge a ...

Wedding Venues

Ballinacurra House - Kinsale County Cork Ireland - Private Wedding Venue
Ballinacurra House
Kinsale, Co. Cork
Ireland’s Premier Private Estate for Exclusive Hire Just a couple of miles west of Kinsale, this luxurious private residence is set in 40 acres of wooded grounds with landscaped gardens, and this wedding venues available for exclusive ...
  • Blue Haven Hotel - Rare Romantic Getaway

    This February, guests are invited to experience a romantic escape with a memorable fine dining experience from award-winning Executive Chef Meeran Manzoor's Tasting Menu at Rare at the delightful Blue Haven Hotel in picturesque Kinsale.
  • Casey's of Baltimore - 3 for 2 Winter Getaway

    This warmly welcoming family-run seaview hotel offers very comfortable accommodation and lovely food, especially seafood, while Casey's pub, which dates back to the 1800s, has a cosy old-world atmosphere (complete with live traditional music).
  • Easter Escape to Ballymaloe

    2-night Easter Escape Package (19th & 20th April 2025) in the peaceful surroundings of Ballymaloe House

There are currently no comments

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment
Not a member? Register for your free membership now!
Or leave a comment by logging in with: