Attractions in County Cork

Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidir McCarthy as a defensive fortress. What is known as the Castle today, is in fact the keep of a much larger fortress.

All visitors to the Castle should kiss the famous Blarney Stone. It is said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. The Rock Close, part of the Castle grounds is also open to the public and is well worth visiting. This is a curiously interesting place of old trees. By legend, the gardens are of Druid origin and were a centre of worship in pre-Christian times. Within the Rock Close area there survives a Dolmen or ancient burial place. Picnic areas have been provided in the Rock Close on the banks of the River Martin. Visit Blarney Castle website

Bantry House & Gardens,Bantry
Bantry House was built around 1740. It was bought by the White family in 1765, and was enlarged by Richard White who was the 2nd Earl of Bantry. The house has a collection of tapestries, furniture and art treasures which were mainly collected by the Earl.

The beautiful gardens have been restored and are home to subtropical plants and shrubs. The gardens are open to the public, as is the French Armada Exhibition housed in the grounds. The Exhibition tells the story of Wolfe Tones failed attempt to end British rule in Ireland, and the arrival of a French Armada to aid him in 1796. The fleet had to return to France, although one of the boats was scuppered and now lies in Bantry Bay. The West Cork Chamber Music Festival is staged and broadcast from Bantry House. Visit Bantry House website

Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill
Located just off the main road to Cobh, this Park was established in 1983 and has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings, with no obvious barriers.

Giraffes, zebras, ostrich and antelope roam together in 40 acres of grassland, much as they would in the African Savannah. Monkeys swing through trees on the lakes, and kangaroos, macaws and lemurs have complete freedom of the Park. Only the Cheetahs have a conventional fence. Facilities at Fota Wildlife Park include Playgrounds, Bisto Wildlife Train, Picnic & Rest Areas, Serengeti Gift Shop and Oasis Restaurant. Visit Fota Wildlife Park website

Skibbereen Heritage Centre, Skibbereen
Skibbereen Heritage Centre, located in the beautifully restored Old Gasworks building and featuring two main exhibitions.

The Great Famine Exhibition commemorates this period of Irish history using the latest in multimedia technology. Skibbereen was one of the worst affected areas in Ireland, as testified by the mass graves, where almost 10,000 people are buried.

The Lough Hyne Visitor Centre reveals the unique nature of this marine lake, Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve. Find out about the history, folklore and formation of this renowned natural phenomenon with a multi-lingual audio-visual. Genealogy information is also available, with the 1901 census for Skibbereen and district on offer. Visit Skibbereen Heritage Centre website

Cork City Gaol
Two of Corks attractions are housed in this building. Step back in time to see what 19th/early 20th century life was like in Cork - inside and outside prison walls. Amazingly lifelike figures, furnished cells, sound effects and fascinating exhibitions. Situated in the unlikely setting of the former Governor's House the "Radio Museum Experience" deals not alone with the early days of Irish & international radio broadcasting but with the impact of its invention on all our lives. Visit Cork City Gaol website

Barryscourt Castle, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
This castle was the 16th century seat of the Barry family. The present castle, with its largely intact bawn wall and corner towers, is a fine example of an Irish tower house. Extensively restored, both the Main Hall and the Great Hall are now open to the public The ground floor of the Keep houses an exhibition entitled "The Arts in Ireland from the Invasion to the Plantation 1100-1600". The Orchard has been restored to an original 16th century design. A programme of reinstatement of fittings and furnishings of the period is in progress. Visitors are advised to wear suitable footwear due to uneven terrain. Visit Barryscourt Castle website

Charles Fort, Kinsale
This star shaped military fortress was built between 1678 and 1682, during the reign of King Charles II.

As one of the largest military forts in the country, it has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. These events are the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922 - 23. Charles Fort remained garrisoned by Britain until 1922. Visit Charles Fort website

Desmond Castle
Desmond Castle was built by Maurice Bacach Fitzgerald, the 9th Earl of Desmond, c.1500. A good example of an urban tower house, the castle consists of a keep with storehouses to the rear and domestic offices on the first and second floors.

Originally built as a Custom House, Desmond Castle has also served as an ordnance store, prison and workhouse. It was occupied by the Spanish in 1601 during the Battle of Kinsale. In the succession of European wars in the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle was used as a place of confinement for French and Spanish prisoners of war. During the Great Irish Famine, (1845-1850) Desmond Castle was used as a workhouse and up to 200 people were housed there. It was declared a National Monument in 1938.

Since 1997, Desmond Castle has housed the International Museum of Wine. This exhibition documents the fascinating story of Ireland's wine links with Europe and the wider world. Visit Desmond Castle website

Bealick Mill Heritage Centre
This heritage and exhibition centre is situated in an old corn mill, which was erected in the early 19th century.

The water wheel and all machinery in the mill are all in working order, and the mill is an attraction for young and old. Visit Bealick Mill website

The Queenstown Story, Cobh
Housed in the restored Victorian Cobh Railway station, this is a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh.

Retrace the steps of the 2.5 million adults and children who emigrated from Ireland via Cobh on coffin ships, early steamers and finally on the great ocean liners. Explore the conditions on board the early emigrant vessels, including the dreaded coffin ship. Experience life on board a convict ship leaving Cobh for Australia in 1801.

Discover Cobh's special connections with the ill fated Titanic which sank on her maiden voyage - Cobh was her last port of call. Relive the horror of World War I and the sinking of the Lusitania off Cork Harbour with the loss of 1,198 lives. Learn about Annie Moore and her two brothers who left Cobh for a new life in America and how she was the first emigrant ever to be processed in Ellis Island. From 2004 The Queenstown Story is a member of Heritage Island, while Cobh is a Heritage Town of Ireland.
Visit The Queenstown Story website

Millstreet Country Park
Millstreet Country Park is set on 203 hectares, and is an environmental and nature park set on the slopes of Musheramore mountain in North Cork.

Visitors marvel at its expanse and attention to detail from colourful arboretum, deeply scented gardens, picturesque views and rushing waterfalls to the crannog and fullacht fiadh.

The park is a haven for nature lovers and is rich in natural heritage from archaeological features to rolling boglands.

Millstreet Country Park is a place of tranquil beauty.
Visit Millstreet Country Park website

Ceim Hill Museum, Union Hall, Skibbereen
Ceim Hill is a 500 year old farm house with an open hearth. The private collection housed here has artifacts from Neolithic times, Old and New Stone Age, Bronze and Iron Ages. The visitor can see old farm tools as well as lace, linen and West Cork cloaks. For history enthusiasts there is a "War of Independence" room. Visit Ceim Hill Museum website

Jameson Heritage Centre, Midleton
Exploring the Jameson Heritage Centre in Midleton Co. Cork will take you back through time. Discover the history, and the magical taste of Irish Whiskey - Uisce Beatha (The Water of Life) the mystical spirit perfected by Irish monks in the 6th Century A.D.
Visit Jameson Heritage Centre website

Mizen Head Visitor Centre
Mizen Head Visitor Centre, at Ireland's most southwesterly point is an authentic experience. Walk down the cliff path with its 99 steps, across the Arched Bridge out to the Irish Lights signal Station with its spectacular views of the South and West Coasts, and take a tour round the displays in the former Keepers Quarters.

At the centre there are displays on the theme of Safety At Sea with a state of the art navigational aids simulator, a 25' cutaway model of the Fastnet Rock lighthouse and an automatic weather station. Visit Mizen Head website

Gunpowder Mills
The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig invites you to visit their exciting, and unique industrial complex on the banks of the River Lee in Cork, where the manufacture of gunpowder took place from 1794 to 1903. Visit Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills

West Cork Model Railways, Clonakilty
Take a trip to the Model Railway Village for a fun and memorable day out on your visit to Clonakilty and West Cork. Walking into the model village you step back in time and see life as it was in the 1940's. See the old West Cork railway line portrayed in delightful miniature serving the towns. The models and figurines are handmade at the model village to a scale of 1:24. Depicting busy market days, this is a joyful discovery for young and old alike. Relax in our unique tea room set on one of our authentic train carriages with a view of Clonakilty bay. Visit West Cork Model Railways Clonakilty

The English Market, Cork City
The English Market has entrances on Princes Street, Patrick Street and the Grand Parade. It is a covered market for fish, fruit, meat and vegetable. The origins of the market can be traced back to James 1st in 1610, but the present building dates from 1786. Visit English Market website

Cork Vision Centre, Cork City
Located in the heart of Cork's historic centre, and within walking distance of the city's artistic, commercial and tourist attractions, the Cork Vision Centre offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate a fine example of conservation in action, and to explore Cork's evolution from past, through present, and onwards to future development.
Visit Cork Vision Centre website

Doneraile Wildlife Park
North of Doneraile town in Co. Cork, a great landscaped estate - 160 hectares of parklands with mature groves of deciduous trees and a number of deer herds.
Visit Doneraile Wildlife Park

 

Rebel Laser Sports - Clay Shooting, Bandon
Are you an experienced marksman or have you never picked up a gun before?... It doesn't matter, you'll love this sport. These are REAL shotguns which have been remodelled to fire nothing more than a laser beam at clays launched from a traditional clay trap. All the excitement of a traditional clay pigeon shoot without any of the associated dangers. Great fun and SAFE for adults and KIDS(10 years+) .Open 7 days a week, all year round. Visit Rebel Laser Sports website.
Visit Rebel Laser Sports