The largest county in Ireland and the most
diverse.
Rich farmlands and river valleys dominate the inland landscape.
The rivers Blackwater, Lee and Bandon thread their ways west to
east through nearly 300 square miles of the county dotted with
farming communities and small towns and villages. The
Derrynasaggart and Boggeragh mountains form the boundary with
Kerry to the west. The road to Millstreet runs between the
ranges and makes
for a wonderful drive.
The long, beautiful Atlantic coast is full of variety. A
succession of sandy coves, small inlets and rocky cliff
faces stretching for miles from Bantry Bay in the west past
fishing villages, resorts and the Old Head of Kinsale to Youghal
on the border with Waterford. The waters off the coast can
be dangerous and many a ship heading for Cork or Cobh has met
its end on the rocks and cliff s of this coast. A large county
and, with the exception of Cork City, wild, remote and under
populated. Ideal for getting away from it all. The people of
Cork, however, personify the warmth and friendliness of the
Irish and, as befitting the land of the Blarney Stone, will
always stop and have a chat.
Worth a look...
Youghal
Deservedly popular seaside resort made famous in 1954 when Gregory
Peck arrived to fi lm Moby Dick. Beaches and narrow alleyways add
to the interest.
The Blarney Stone
Blarney Castle is famous for its Stone, traditionally said to
endow eloquence on all who kiss it.
Cobh The port was the calling point for
many a famous ship – the Titanic made her last stop here before
heading to disaster. On the promenade stands a monument to the
victims of the Lusitania, sunk in 1915.
Kinsale
Known as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland with 12 restaurants of
outstanding quality, though expensive. The traditional fishing
village has almost disappeared, replaced by a cosmopolitan
atmosphere.
Cork City is Ireland’s third city after
Dublin and Belfast so try not to miss a visit to this important
seaport on the southern Irish coast. The city is built on an
island in the River Lee and is a short way from Cork Harbour. You
will discover that Cork City is not short of bridges and hilly
streets so bring a good pair of walking shoes with you and enjoy
its history and culture and watch its people. The city is
dominated by St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The cathedral stands on
the site of a monastery founded by the saint in the 7th century.
The English Market has been in the heart of the city since 1788.
It has been restored following a fi re in 1980 and retains its
elegant 19th century fountain. The traders sell anything from
bread, cheeses and olives to meats and fish. It’s a good place to
try the Cork delicacy of tripe and drisheen. Cork’s location on
the river gave it importance as a trading port with ships mooring
on rivers now covered by roads. The merchants houses can still be
seen. An excellent city for a holiday break and well worth a visit
– the Venice of Ireland.
Worth a look...
City Gaol An impressive if foreboding
building that has been re-opened to visitors and gives a graphic
impression of conditions for the incarcerated. It closed only 80
years ago.
Open Top Bus Tours Open top buses leave the
bus station in season, offering a comprehensive (three hour) tour,
which includes a visit to Blarney (see County Cork).
