County Cork

Click here to see all B&B's in Cork

Cork is Ireland’s biggest county and Cork City is considered the ‘second city’. It was European City of Culture recently and music, art, drama and other cultural activities are important facets of Cork and it is also a major centre for industry and commerce.

It’s a county of exceptional scenery, charming towns and villages and warm, hospitable people. It’s known as Ireland’s gourmet county, with fresh seafood and excellent local produce and an array of critically acclaimed restaurants. West Cork is accepted as one of the finest landscapes in the country and visitors flock there in thousands every year. It’s no surprise that many Irish people have holiday homes in the area.

History and Heritage

Cork city was originally built on several islands on the River Lee and several streets are built on former river channels. Since it was founded by St. Finbarre over 1,000 years ago, it has grown from a small merchant town into a cosmopolitan and vibrant city.

From its early days as a monastic settlement, its history includes Viking and Norman rule, remnants of which can be seen on tours around the city. It was always associated with the sea and it is still a major maritime centre.

Sites to see

Cork Historic Walking Tours - an ideal opportunity to understand the City’s history. The Old City Gaol – a popular heritage centre. The Queenstown Story at Cobh.

Sports and Leisure

As home of the world’s oldest yacht club, the Royal Cork YC at Crosshaven, Cork can also lay claim to being the sailing capital of Ireland and there are lots of others sailing clubs and sheltered bays in which to enjoy life afloat. Deep-sea diving, windsurfing and sea-kayaking are popular in the county too. It’s also a fisherman’s paradise - deep-sea fishing, shore fishing, game fishing or coarse fishing, the choice is endless.

World class golf courses, including an extensive number of links courses, as well as scenic coastal and loop walks. Avail of great deals on Golf Passes by checking out www.corkkerry.ie Cork is regarded as one of the best places in Europe for whale watching. The season runs from June to January while dolphins and porpoises can be seen year-round.

Eat, Drink and Stay

The choice of fine eating establishments in Cork is mind-boggling. In Kinsale, for instance, they have a Good Food Circle and the large number of restaurants in the picturesque seaside town offer consistently excellent fare. They include Man Friday, Max’s Wine Bar, The Spaniard Inn and The Vintage, to name a few. Elsewhere in the county, check out the likes of the renowned Ballymaloe House near Midleton, Casino House in Kilbrittain, O’Keeffe’s of Clonakilty, Chez Youen in Baltimore and Longueville House in Mallow. Cork city is full of good food places, such as Café Paradiso, Fenns Quay, Wagamama, Currans, Lovetts, Isaacs and Jacobs on the Mall.

Pubs abound in Cork and among the best in the city are Sin é, Long Valley, Franciscan Well, An Bróg, Mutton Lane Inn and The Gateway Bar. In the county, Dinty’s Bar in Union Hall, Ahakista Bar, Finins in Midleton and The Finders Inn in Oysterhaven.

As you would expect in such a large county, there is an impressively large selection of top class B&Bs from which to choose.

Festivals

March: Celtfest – celebration of Celtic art, music, song and culture, in Cork City

May: Cork International Choral Festival, Cork City International Mussel Fair, Bantry Rosscarbery Arts & Literature Festival, Bealtaine Musical Instruments Festival, Clonakilty

June: Cork Mid Summer Festival

September: A Taste of West Cork Food Festival, Skibbereen

October: Cork Film Festival, Cork City Kinsale Gourmet Festival Guinness Jazz Festival, Cork City Samhain Traditional Music & Dance, Clonakilty

December: Wren Boys Festival, Carrigaline

Things you have to see or do

Old Midleton Distillery – tour and audio-visual presentation

Charles Fort, Kinsale – 1677 military citadel

Bantry House & Gardens – one of the most beautiful settings in all of Ireland

Blarney Castle and Kissing the Blarney Stone – Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words!

The Emigrant Trail – at Cobh

Fota Wildlife Park and Arboretum – where animals thrive in a free-range environment

Useful links

Fáilte Ireland Southwest (Cork Kerry Tourism) www.corkkerry.ie

East Cork Tourism www.eastcorktourism.ie

West Cork Tourism www.westcorktourism.ie