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.
