County Cork information

County Cork, in Southwest Ireland is the largest county in the Republic of Ireland and also the location of the country's second largest city. This means that its inhabitants have a reasonable sense of their status. It also has a very large coastline and many items of interest for the visitor.

Image: County Cork

Regions

North Cork - is a renowned destination for anglers, with several long rivers, notably the Blackwater, providing plentiful fish in a beautiful setting. This part of the county is the least touristed.

Kitchen garden, BallymaloeEast Cork - is known for the quality of it's agricultural produce, the cookery school at Ballymaloe near Cloyne and the pretty seaside village of Ballycotton.

West Cork - is more touristed, and it's easy to understand why - the southernmost coast of Ireland stretches for over 100km from Cork Harbour through verdant farmland, to three peninsulas jutting out into the Atlantic. It may not quite have some of the drama of Kerry or Donegal, but the little villages and coves and rocky islands are surely some of the prettiest places in Ireland, or anywhere else. When the weather is bad it can be spectacular, or you can retire to the local pub for a Murphy's or a Guinness. When the weather is good, there are few better places to be.

Cities and towns

Below you will find a list of cities and towns within County Cork. If a Further information link is available, please click on it to find detailed information including accommodation, restaurants, bars, pubs, shops and more...

Cork - Further information

Blarney - Famed for the stone and it's verdant setting - Further information

Clonakilty - West Cork's most vibrant town - Further information

Cobh - Last port of call for hundreds of thousands of emigrants, as well as for the Titanic - Further information

Glengarriff - Relaxed and scenic, on Bantry bay.

Kinsale - Historic town associated with sailing and good food - Further information

Macroom - Main town of the mid-Cork/Lee valley region, gateway to Cork's gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area).

Mallow - North Cork's largest town, with Cork's only horse-racing course.

Skibbereen - Gateway to Castletownsend, Baltimore, Schull and the Mizen.

Places of interest

Attractions include the Blarney Stone and Cobh, the port where many Irish emigrants boarded for their voyage to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States and also the last stop of the Titanic, before departing on its fated journey. It is home to the World's Oldest Yacht Club, the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven.

Fota Island is a tourist attraction due to Fota Wildlife Park which is the only wildlife park in Ireland, Fota House and Gardens, and the Fota Golf Club and Resort; a European Tour standard golf course which has also hosted the Irish Open in recent times.

West Cork is a popular destination for British, German, French and Dutch tourists, who visit the small villages and islands at Carbery's Hundred Isles including Sherkin Island, Oileán Chléire or Cape Clear Island and Dursey Island. Mizen Head, the "southwesternmost point in Ireland" is also in West Cork, as is Sheep's Head. Lough Hyne (Irish: Loch Oighinn) is a marine lake in West Cork, Ireland, about 5 km southwest of Skibbereen. West Cork is noted for its rugged natural beauty, beaches and social atmosphere.

Recommended accommodation in County Cork

Ballinterry House, Rathcormac, Fermoy - A charming, beautifully restored Queen Anne house set in 5 acres of gardens and woodland. Luxury B&B and featured in Irelands 100 Top Places to Stay 2015 - Visit Facebook page

Ballyvolane House, Castlelyons, Fermoy - A historic Irish country house of extraordinary warmth, style and comfort that provides luxury accommodation and salmon fishing on the river Blackwater, located in the North Cork countryside of southern Ireland - Visit website

Blindgate House, Kinsale - Blindgate House is a purpose built luxury accommodation within walking distance of Kinsale Town. The guesthouse, taking its name from an entrance to the historic walled Kinsale, is a modern design offering bright and airy accommodation. The contemporary design is merged with tasteful antiquities to provide a refreshing contrast to more traditional Kinsale accommodation - Visit website

Bridge House, Skibbereen - Some years ago, a poll of listeners to a national Irish radio service voted Bridge House ‘Ireland’s Most Unusual B&B’. So if you are on the lookout for memorable lodgings, you need look no further. Mona Best has presided with grace, and no little style, over a theatrical establishment located in the heart of the bustling market town of Skibbereen for almost thirty years now - Visit website

Fortview House, Goleen - Award winning farmhouse and cottages provides comfortable Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering accommodation in a pleasant rural location close to the most beautiful West Cork coastline - Visit website

Gallán Mór, Durrus - Gallán Mór Boutique B&B, voted one of the Top 100 Best Places to Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way 2016 by the McKenna Guide, a ‘Little Gem’ in the 2016 Michelin Guide for England and Ireland as well as reaching the No.1 spot in the B&B Rankings on TripAdvisor for the whole of County Cork in 2015. It sits perched on a hill on the edge of the Dunmanus Bay with stunning uninterrupted sea views over the bay and the Mizen Head peninsula - Visit website

Garnish House, Cork City - Luxury B&B accommodation in Cork City beside University College Cork. With a range of elegantly adorned rooms to suit all tastes and budgets, from homely singles to spacious family quarters as well as luxurious Jacuzzi suites, located near Cork city and UCC, University College Cork - Visit website

Glebe Country House, Ballinadee, Bandon - A charming family run Georgian rectory, offering warm hospitality, relaxed atmosphere, and comfortable accommodation - Visit website

Gort na nain Farm Vegetarian Guesthouse, Nohoval - Situated facing the Atlantic on the South Coast of County Cork, Gort na Nain is the perfect location for those wanting a quiet rural break set within stunning coastal scenery. Those visiting Gort na Nain will be treated to the very best home-prepared vegetarian cuisine based on vegetables grown on their small vegetable farm, which also supplies some of the best restaurants in Cork City - Visit website

Grove House, Schull - Grove House is a family-run guest house situated in Schull, County Cork Ireland. They have five beautiful rooms, all en-suite, overlooking Schull Harbour or Mount Gabriel. An historic building, Grove House has previously hosted distinguished guests such as George Bernard Shaw, Jack Yeats and Edith Somerville. In keeping with the house’s history, they have continued as an artistic hub today, with regular music recitals, art exhibitions and writers’ retreats - Visit website

Knockeven House, Cobh - There is a unique warmth and sense of serenity at Knockeven House. It recaptures the charm of the past quietude in a relaxing friendly atmosphere. The personal attention is evident from the moment you step inside where traditional hospitality and courteous service are a way of life - Visit website

Lancaster Lodge, Cork City - A purpose built 4 Star Guesthouse with 48 hotel style contemporary bedrooms in a superb location with free car parking in Cork city centre. Lancaster Lodge offers good value for money, free high speed Wi-Fi, comfortable spacious bedrooms with all the modern conveniences of a Cork city hotel but with a personal touch - Visit website

Lis-Ardagh Lodge, Union Hall - Whether for bed and breakfast or a self-catering holiday, Lis-Ardagh Lodge in Union Hall is the perfect base from which to explore picturesque West Cork. And with their gym and sauna, a relaxing break is more than assured. Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Glandore and Baltimore are all just a short drive away, whilst walkers can wander along the coast with its sandy coves, finding archaeology and history all around - Visit website

Rolf’s Country House, Baltimore Hill, Baltimore - Rolfs is a family-run business established in 1979 by the Haffner family. Originally an old farmhouse, with a courtyard surrounded by traditional stone build outhouses and set in 4.5 acres of mature grounds and gardens - Visit website