County Cork Off The Beaten Path

  the lords bedroom
by daleandles
 
  • the lords bedroom
      the lords bedroom
    by daleandles
  • Barryscourt castle tower house
      Barryscourt castle tower house
    by daleandles
  • what a view
      what a view
    by daleandles
  • I am getting very brave so close to the edge!
      I am getting very brave so close to the...
    by ettenaj
  • Blarney!
      Blarney!
    by suvanki
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in County Cork

1.

Cobh....   Cork

Cobh...., Cork

 7 Reviews  Cobh (pronounced cove) - formerly Cove and, subsequently, Queenstown, is a pretty resort and port situated on the largest island in Cork Harbour. Walking along the quayside lined with elegant hotels,... 

 See All 61 Off The Beaten Path in Cork

2.

Garretstown and the Old head of Kinsale.   Kinsale

Garretstown and the Old head of Kinsale., Kinsale

 3 Reviews  On our way from the Old Head of Kinsale to the town itself we stopped to bask a little in the sun on Garretstown Beach. It was July, the peak of holiday season, but the beach wasn't crowded, far from... 

 See All 13 Off The Beaten Path in Kinsale

3.

Pottery   Cobh

Pottery, Cobh

 1 Review  In the village of Shanagarry, in Co. Cork, There is a pottery factory. Their best known designs are an unfinished brown with a white glazed trim. We drove to the factory and had a good browse around.... 

 See All 7 Off The Beaten Path in Cobh

4.

Mizen Head   Cork

Mizen Head, Cork

 1 Review  Go to the southernmost point of Ireland; Mizen Head. To go the whole way, you first have to climb the famous 99 steps down to the bridge which is 45 meter above the sea level. For more information,... 

 See All 61 Off The Beaten Path in Cork

5.

The Mall and Bowling Green   Kinsale

The Mall and Bowling Green, Kinsale

 1 Review  If you want to explore a little further then it's time to strart climbing. Beyond Acton's Hotel on the waterfront, turn right onto Denis Quay where you will see another terrace of elegant georgian... 

 See All 13 Off The Beaten Path in Kinsale

6.

Kinsale   Cork

Kinsale, Cork

 3 Reviews  While a good few people visit Charles Fort in Summercove (near Kinsale) many drive from Kinsale and so miss a very pleasant walk. Plus they face the "fun" of driving in Summercove to get to the fort... 

 See All 61 Off The Beaten Path in Cork

7.

Bearhaven Island   Cork

Bearhaven Island, Cork

 2 Reviews  West Cork is one of the most scenic parts of Ireland. The main Towns in this area would be Bandon, Kinsale, Skibbereen, Glengariff and Castletownbere. I dont know it really well personally - apart... 

 See All 61 Off The Beaten Path in Cork

8.

Fota Wildlife Park   Cork

Fota Wildlife Park, Cork

 1 Review  Fota is a wonderful wildlife park full of all kinds of monkeys, cheetahs, giraffes, ostriches, peacocks, kangaroos and what-have-you. Most of the animals roam freely, only the more dangerous species... 

 See All 61 Off The Beaten Path in Cork

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Cloyne in East Cork

by evaanna

Cloyne is a village in East Cork which we drove through on our way from Garryvoe Beach on my first day in Ireland. Though only a village, Cloyne boasts a cathedral, built on the site of an early Christian monastery founded here by St Colman Mac Lenene around 560. The monastery buildings were burned in 1137.The Church of Ireland Cathedral dates back to 1250 but, having been completely modernised over the centuries, it little resembles the original structure. Its most famous bishop was George Berkeley, the great 18th century philosopher.Right opposite the cathedral is a round tower, one of a number of such constructions in Ireland dating back to the Middle Ages. Once thought to have been used as watchtowers to warn the inhabitants against Viking invasions, they are now believed to have served simply as bell towers, which their name in Gaelic - cloictheath, or bellhouse, clearly suggests....

Tip Photo
Sheep Head - the 2nd finger into the Atlantic

by globetrott

Sheep Head is the name of the tip of the peninsula that makes the 2nd finger reaching into the Atlantic from the south-west of Ireland .A tiny road will take you through the wild landscape with only a very few houses here or there. this peninsula makes a perfect place for wild camping, as long as you respect the common rules. Most probably your motorhome will be visited only by the local sheep and once it even happened to me at such an occasion that a group of sheep started to scream as long as I stayed in the parking-bay that they normally use themselves during the night. Finally it was so noisy that I was searching for a different parking and the sheep took over my parking-space...

Tip Photo
Mizen Head

by globetrott

Mizen Head is the very end of the southernmost of the 4 big peninsulas in the very south-west of Ireland. There is a really narrow road to the very end of Mizen Head and there you may spend a night in the wilderness, if you bring the right equipment.There will be nothing else then you, some sheep and the cliffs of the Atlantic......and a lot of wind maybe.Leave your car at the large parking at the end of the road and take a walk to the light-house along the scenic coastline. Watch out for the white herons - they are quite shy and will fly away as soon as you get closer than 100 meters - so you better use a tele-lense like my APO 5,6/400mm or an even better one !

Tip Photo
Lough Allua - between Blarney & Bantry

by globetrott

Lough Allua is one of my favorite secret places in Ireland. I first passed by it accidentally without expecting anything special, when I once drove from Blarney castle towards the town of Bantry on the road R 584. It was rather late already and so I spent the night next to the lake in my motorhome and the other morning I woke up and saw this peaceful picture in the morning-haze, no noises at all except the humming of the bees, and not a single car for several hours...Please click on my pictures in order to see also the other pics of that magic place, including the spider-net in the morning-sun...

Tip Photo
Allihies - a small village on Beara peninsula

by globetrott

Allihies is just a tiny village in the north of Beara peninsula and it is well known for its plenty of colorful houses.The roads leading to Allihies are at most places too small for tourist-buses and so this part of Ireland is not yet so crowded, as many other places in County Cork are.Allihies is situated on the northern ring-road leading to Dursey-islandTake some time to explore it and take pictures, this village still has the typical charme of a traditional irish village on the coast !In Allihies several films were made because of the great background-scenery.You may click here in order to see the location of Allihies on a zoomable-map bywww.multimap.com

Tip Photo
Ireland's most popular filling-station

by globetrott

This is certainly the most popular filling station in Ireland, It is situated next to a pub, and I am afraid, it is neighter filled with Beer nor with gasoline. This station is in Co.Kerry, close to the village of Lauragh / An Laithreach, at the north-entrance of the road R 574 to Healy-Pass, that is the border to Co.Cork. The road to Healy-pass is really scenic with a great view over the landscape and some lakes.Healy Pass was once built in order to give some work for the poor population of Ireland and it helps to have a rather fast connection between Adrigole in the south and Lauragh in the north. The road over Healy Pass is quite narrow and with my big Mercedes-motorhome I had to drive some of the various bends very carefully. Only at a few places you may stop there and take a look around without blocking the road.

Tip Photo
Dursey Island - a well known paradise for hikers

by globetrott

Dursey Island is an uninhabited island at the west-tip of Beara Peninsula and it is a well known paradise for hikers and bird-watchers.Ireland's only cable-car takes its passengers there according to a fixed timetable or upon appointment - you may find the owner's telephone-number at the door and he will arrive within a short time after your call, he is one of the farmers nearby.the island was not all the time uninhabited and so you may see the ruins of an old castle there. For Dursey-island you should schedule a whole day in order to explore it !

Tip Photo
Cape Clear

by Clodagh

Cape Clear is a stunning Island off West Cork, which can be reached on the ferry from either Baltimore or Schull. It is a sparcely populated island with beautiful scenery, good publife and a very resonable priced , beautifully located campsite. You can also rent out houses there.Truly one of the nicest places in Ireland.

Tip Photo
Inchdoney : Beach and Day Spa at Inchdoney Lodge

by bobyn

Inchdoney Hotel (Lodge and Spa) is set on Inchdoney Beach in a wonderful location. Accomodation details at link: http://www.inchydoneyisland.com/ .The hotel boasts a luxorious spa resort, where you can book treatments in quantities to suit your budget, eg two treatments or four. You can spend your day based in the relaxtion room, with facilities including sea water pool, water jets, sauna, showering facilites, refreshments; and relax with each special spa treatment. There are many options available which are viewable on the link above. Food is reasonably priced in the lounge relative to my point of view on average dining costs in Cork. You will float home from Inchdoney Spa. A walk on the atlantic beach is a must also "to blow away those cobwebs!"

Tip Photo
Timoleague West Cork ,enchanting place

by Hynesite

I can really recommend Timoleague, not very well known among Corkonians themselves, there is a great feeling to the little village, with its beautiful Franciscan Abbey founded in the 14th century,and seated on a waterside wildlife sanctuary,some mad and wonderful characters can be found in the 5 or so bars...the Murphy's in MacCarthy's bar is the best I've tasted and say hello to their Dog "Bud"...but dont try and take him for a walk or you'll be 10km from nowhere before you know it!!

Tip Photo
Unique Places in County Cork

Top 3 Hotels in County Cork

Fitzgerald's Vienna Woods Hotel  Cork

 1 Review and 172 Opinions

 Hotels in Cork

Blue Haven Hotel  Kinsale

 1 Review and 165 Opinions  Completely refurbished in 2004, each room is individually furnished with exquisite furniture, the... 

 Hotels in Kinsale

Ashlee Lodge  Blarney

 59 Opinions

 Hotels in Blarney

209 Hotels in County Cork
 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Travel Highlights

The Place

Reviews and photos of County Cork attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Cork sightseeing.

Experience County Cork
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in County Cork
  1. Cork Off The Beaten Path
  2. Kinsale Off The Beaten Path
  3. Cobh Off The Beaten Path
  4. Blarney Castle Off The Beaten Path
  5. Clonakilty Off The Beaten Path
  6. Youghal Off The Beaten Path
  7. Ballydehob Off The Beaten Path
  8. Allihies Off The Beaten Path
  9. Shanagarry Off The Beaten Path
  10. Carrigaline Off The Beaten Path
  11. Lough Allua Off The Beaten Path
  12. Ballycotton Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in County Cork

 

Questions and Answers

gramgirl profile photo

Q:  We will be in Ireland for 3.5 days the first of June with our 16 year old twin grandchildren, 1 boy and 1 girl. We will fly into... 

annemariebyrne profile photo

A: There’s lots to do in the Cork area whether you decide to hire a car or not. A visit to Fota Island Wildlife Park should be a good day out for all ages ... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button