What a beautiful place. Serene, with a great walk along the lake. Loved it.

Wow, what a place! The walks are amazing, and the views are fantastic. There's a gorgeous walk by the lake and up the hill, and the views are just incredible.

Great views, paths around the lake and a few spots to dip your toes.

Beautiful Lough well worth the visit. Water is crystal clear with fantastic views and walks all around.

Very accessible for people with disabilities. Everyone there just swims and have fun so no one cares or looks at you when you're changing. Such a lovely place to swim. There's a ramp like entrance, manly for kayaks but if you have a rollator, you can go right up to the water with it. Salt water! So don't get it in your eyes!

Stunning place . Magnificent walks and great views . There is a beautiful walk along the lough and up the hill where the views are stunning. The summer time it is mad busy and almost impossible to park. There are no public toilets or coffee shops you will have to bring your own 😁

Great workout going up and down the hill. Fabulous views up top. Parking can be a challenge during the summer.

A wonderful museum and heritage centre explains some of the unimaginable horrors of the famine and the incalculable impact the very core of the Irish way of life. We were especially lucky to be given the tour by the manager and author Terri Kearney who truly bought the history to life. There is also an interesting area and audio-visual presentation on Loch Hyne, Irelands first marine reserve. Thank you for an excellent centre.

This is an outstanding museum dedicated to the Famine. Full of information, data and personal stories. Incredible value for money. Owners of large vehicles (motorhomes) can park opposite the West Cork hotel for free.

Fantastic tour with Terry. This is a well-designed museum with in-depth information about An Gorta Mor. Well worth a visit.

Super haunting and disturbing museum about the 19th century famine. I spent about 45 minutes there .. if I were Irish I could have spent about 4 hours. The exhibits and recordings are quite riveting and moving.

We had a look in here. But it always puts me off when I see the word 'famine' relating to the intentional starvation in Ireland. I want an Irish heritage museum to respect the truth and not pander to any strange fear of upsetting someobe by telling the truth. There was plenty of food in Ireland during the 'famine'. It just got shipped to Britain at that time.

An impressive, and moving, telling of the tragedy of the great potato famine. The stories are heartbreaking, but important to understand if you are travelling in this part of Ireland.

Brilliant museum and wonderful staff - our two tiny dogs were allowed in (just had to check if the other visitors were ok with it). Definitely recommend.

precious, charming hiking place :) takes around 2 hours at the red trail (and less at any other) and the slightly challenging walk is all worth it! the forest of gougane barra is unreal – covered with moss and ferns. every now and then you'll stumble across a little pond or waterfall <3 if you are into enchanted forests, this is your place

Gougane Barra offers absolutely stunning views, especially during the summer months. The forest is beautifully preserved, and the walking trails are clearly marked and easy to follow. There’s ample parking available, and the toilets are clean and well-maintained. The €5 entry fee, which was previously coin-based, has now been updated to a convenient tap payment system.

Wish we would've had more time to explore, beautiful little area. Nice walks, nothing really huge but could spend a good half day walking.

Gougane Barra National Forest Park is a gorgeous gem tucked away in nature's embrace. The park offers a serene, quiet atmosphere that's perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle. With a variety of well-maintained trails, it's an excellent spot for hiking and taking in the stunning scenery. Visiting on a sunny day is highly recommended, as the light brings out the vibrant colors of the landscape, making the experience even more magical. Definitely worth a visit!

Put this one on your “must visit” and give yourself at least 3 hours to roam around. Bring lunch and soak in the spirit of peace during this once in a lifetime moment. Step lightly for you are on holy ground. Step lightly and leave enlivened - ready to face another day with a full heart and a peace filled soul.

Gougane Barra National Forest Park is a stunning natural reserve located in County Cork, Ireland. Known for its serene beauty and historical significance, the park is set in a valley surrounded by lush mountains, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility. Key Features: 1. Scenic Beauty The park is nestled in a deep glacial valley and includes forests, streams, and a picturesque lake. Its well-maintained trails offer breathtaking views of the landscape 2. Outdoor Activities Gougane Barra features six walking trails of varying difficulty, perfect for hikers of all levels. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers and photographers, with opportunities to see native wildlife 3. Historic Significance The park is home to St. Finbarr’s Oratory, a small, iconic church on an island in the lake. St. Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork, is believed to have founded a monastery here in the 6th century. The oratory, surrounded by ancient ruins, is a popular spot for weddings and quiet reflection 4. Forest and Conservation As one of Ireland’s first national parks, Gougane Barra is planted with various tree species, including spruce and pine, contributing to its lush, green appearance 5. Accessibility and Amenities The park provides picnic areas, parking 5€ have have cash with you, and easy access to trails and viewpoints, making it an excellent destination for families and groups

One of Irelands most beautiful places to visit. Stunning views, a vast number of trails to explore and a pub and cafe nearby if you get hungry. This is the kind of place that requires a few days to take in, one day is not nearly enough. There is accommodation nearby but I wouldn't put anyone off pitching a tent somewhere and enjoy it that way. Strictly speaking, pitching a tent may not even be allowed but the area is so vast that you would have no trouble finding dozens of places hidden from view to do that. Leave nothing behind! Drink the water straight from the waterfalls, I have been doing so for years. There is also a lot of history here and even the graveyards and tombs are worth a visit. There were people fishing by the lake the day I was here as well so catch your dinner if you have a fishing rod. Stunning, beautiful place.

We visited with our family and had a fantastic time! The kids especially loved the indoor playground—it was safe, clean, and full of fun activities. They also enjoyed seeing and interacting with all the animals. Staff were friendly and the whole place felt welcoming and well-maintained. It was a perfect outing for the whole family, with plenty to see and do for both kids and adults.

This was one of the best experiences on our first trip to Ireland! The animals were welcoming and sooo adorable. They have several handwashing areas on the property and at specific times they let you see/pet different animals. We met a friendly cat who followed us around but eventually got side-tracked by hunting a bird. 😆 We HIGHLY recommend Kennedy's for a fun family activity!

An amazing place, the best farm in Ireland so far. Very clean, well-maintained, with wonderful animals that are a delight to pet. It's a paradise for children. They can run around, play in the playgrounds, ride go-karts, pet, and feed the animals. The animals we saw included chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, alpacas, sheep, goats, pigs, and calves. There's a small shop selling coffee and tea, as well as lollipops, ice cream, muffins, and doughnuts. The restrooms are very clean. I recommend this place to everyone, especially families with children. We'll definitely be back.

Visited on Tuesday 7th July 2025 with my wife, daughter and grandson. Place is adorable, the animals are really friendly. Had washing facilities and public toilets are the best and cleanest I've seen so far. Staff are just fantastic and very helpful. In all a great little business going on here. The only downside,,, and I was hoping that there wouldn't be was the price of 2 coffees in the tea shop. €12.30c was an absolute rip off for 2 refreshments in a paper cup. Also the milk was left out on a table in such warm conditions. I'm sorry to say that it did spoil the visit some bit. Perhaps a little more consideration in this area would be pleasing, especially to families with a large number of children.

Absolutely phenomenal experience. The kids had a wonderful time in the playground with animals all around. The animals were so kind and sweet and overall if I lived in the area, I would bring my kids here every week.

Kids really enjoyed it and so did we, hadn't been in a few years and missed some of the animals that were once there including the deer and the fact that you used to be able to buy food for the animals. Staff are so lovely from on the gate to in the cafe. Animals all seemed happy and well taken care of. I will say I think some parents need to discipline there kids better when it comes to chasing the animals when the animals are trying to walk away from them.

Kids love the place. Staff are laid back and friendly. Very nice place to spend a few hours alone or with the family or friends. You can by cups of grain to feed the animals here and the miniature goats will eat right out of your hand! They'll even jump up on your lap too if you let them

First time whale watching and did not disappoint! Although we only saw one whale for a few moments, we saw many many dolphins and seals. Truly a magical experience. Hosts are knowledgeable and make learning about the species fun! Very safe and well organized. 10/10, would reccomend and will likely return one day! Highlight of our trip to Ireland for sure!

We knew this is pot luck as you never know what you will see. Colin had told us the humpback whales had moved on so next year I'll go in June as that is when they are around, but we got to see the dolphins, wonderful to see them there was hundreds of them but so fast..hard to get a photo. We see a whale shark breach twice in the distance and we seen minke whales several times. Its a long trip and hard on the leg's. On the way back we got close to the coast and spotted sone Atlantic seals. Well worth it.

We had a wonderful time on the boat, time flew very fast! Colin is very knowledgeable and passionate about marine life. We saw hundreds of dolphins, 2 fin whales and 3 minke whales, as well as a lot of birds and seals. We would definitely come back as this was a magical experience!

We had a wonderful time aboard the Holly Jo, i thought my children would be bored after an hour or two but they thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted to go again the next day. The scenery is stunning and we can't wait to go again. Thanks Colin, Ines and Padraig :)

Loved the experience. Got lucky with weather and seeing plenty of Fin Whales and minke whales along with dolphins nearly the entire trip. Colin was great about educating us on the whales and the Union Hall and Castle Townsend area but was fantastic about trying to find us whales dolphins and seabirds. Highly recommend. Tim on June 10th

Great day out, saw many , many common Dolphins, seals and interesting birds. Weather starting off was very misty and we had fair warning before we headed off on our chances of seeing whales. Colin is a very interesting and engaging guide. Spied one minke whale travelling at speed towards the end of the day.

We got lucky with the weather and calm sea. Colin showed us sea lions, dolphin herds and we even got to see multiple different minkie whales. We could see the distant spout of a humpback whale. Maybe next time we get lucky and even see one up close.

What a privilege to visit Drombeg Stone Circle. Learn about its history dating back to the Bronze Age and feel the history all around you.

People say to go early but we went later (5pm) and it wasn't busy. We ran into 1 other group. Was a bit of a walk to the stone circle (a few minutes) but relatively flat. Decent size car park for approx 10 cars. There are neat ruins next to it. Overall it felt good; I dont recall any worrisome energies here. Maybe a bit as if you were being watched. Surrounded by beautiful farmland. Very peaceful area. Would probably be in my top 5 of Irish stone circles. Sept 6, 2024.

This place is free to access, about one hour away from Cork by car. We made a little detour to see this incredible place and it was 100% worth it. The landscape and drive was very nice. It is quite remote and lost between farms, very quiet and we even got the Druid welcome with the little fellow on the rear mirror of the car as you can see on the picture. If you are into historical places and ancient Celtic vibe you should definitely make a stop.

AWESOME & FREE to visit, we enjoyed our brief, easy walking/finding stop on the way to Rosscarbery. if going TRY to check local road maps, there are shorter ways to get there , than WAZE or Google maps want to take you !! (look for R597) - SPA007

Amazing energy in this place. It is for sure one of my favourite spots so far

It was a bit off the beaten path to drive there but a very easy walk from the car park. It was absolutely magical! Go visit. You won't regret it.

Amazing place! Very mystical and interesting ✨

Great experience! My 7 year old son insisted we go here, and it did not disappoint. He was able to watch them cast and he then painted his dragon, very exciting stuff for him! Kids will definitely love this place. Plus they have beautiful chess sets for sale and cast your own kits as well. Also fairies, soldiers etc.

Had a great time in the Prince August factory last week. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Loved seeing all the models (both painted and unpainted). A very nice place and it is great that a business like this is based in a rural Gaeltacht. The drive there was beautiful too, through the West Cork countryside. Highly recommend

Absolutely amazing experience! we went during a storm to pass the time and it just flew by. The host was so nice and accommodating. They make the figurines in front of you and you can go ahead and start painting them almost right away. 10/10 would go again 😊

Bit of a trip down memory lane visiting the Prince August Toy Soldier Factory. Back in the 80s we used to visit upstairs in Eason's to buy molds and lead to cast our own miniatures. We had a serious production line going and made half Napoleon's Grand Army! The factory is located just outside Macroom and is well worth the visit. There is plenty of parking outside the shop. The lady who greeted us was very friendly. We had a good poke around the shop and saw the craft area where they run casting and painting workshops. They serve coffee and there is a public toilet available. At the back you can walk through the factory and see the area where they paint miniatures for sale. Well worth a visit, even if you were not a lead casting child of the 80s!!!

Great visit to the toy soldier factory. Had lots of fun went back to my childhood definitely worth a visit and we are looking forward to our next visit. Lady on duty extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Fantastic morning spent casting and painting toy soldiers and fairies. Staff are super friendly and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Well worth a visit and if you’re lucky, you might get to see the staff making moulds. They have lots of kits to purchase so you can make your own chess sets, soldiers or fairies at home.

I'm just after casting my first miniatures from one of their molds, and I couldn't be happier! I never thought I'd manage a perfect cast on the first try, but their instructions and videos were a fantastic help. I couldn't help myself—I painted the little green guy up straight away! If you've ever thought about giving casting a go, I can't recommend their molds enough. Thanks a million for such a brilliant experience!

Kev was a great guide during our visit to the Michael Collins Museum in Clonakilty. The museum gives a clear, interesting look at Collins’ life and the Irish War of Independence, with some personal items and cool displays. Kev’s mix of knowledge and humor made the tour enjoyable and easy to follow. Definitely ask for him if you go!

Visited Michael Collins House Museum All About Michael Collins Life Family All other west Cork Patriots like Jeramiaha O Donevan Rossa His Bicycle he Cycled Riund Dublin.

Great information, lovely centre, staff really helpful, family trip so history for everyone

Great place to spend a wet and windy October day. It laid out the course of Collins life and his contribution to the Independence of Ireland in a thoughtful way and helped contextualise the times.

Tour guides made it, a great mix between humour and incredibly knowledgeable. Went with my partner who’s more into history than me but I still enjoyed it and it was paced very well.

Informative, well curated exhibition and well located in an historic building in the centre of clonakilty on a square where Michael Collins lived for a couple of years.

Kev is hands down the highlight of the Michael Collins Museum tour in Clonakilty. Sharp, witty, and full of interesting stories, he made history come alive without ever feeling like a classroom snooze fest. His quick humor and easy style kept us hooked the whole time- honestly, he’s the reason the tour was such a blast. If you’re going, do yourself a favor and make sure Kev is your guide!

The West Cork Model Railway Village in Clonakilty is a charming and nostalgic attraction perfect for families and railway enthusiasts. It features meticulously crafted miniature replicas of towns along the old West Cork Railway line, capturing 1940s–50s Ireland in impressive detail. The trains run through the model towns, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. There's also a fun road train tour of Clonakilty and a small café on site. While it's more geared toward younger children and families, anyone with an interest in Irish history or model railways will enjoy it. It's a wholesome, relaxing stop on the West Cork trail.

Great for kids to walk around and cheer the miniature village with the working trains that are constantly moving around the made up villages of the area there's a playground and 2 diggers the kids will love and boats on a lake to steer by remote a coffee shop and lots of history

Cute little activity to do if nearby. Nice to walk through and get a bite to eat. We got the train ride that went through the town which was really cute too- all the locals waving at us!😂

Was in town for the Samhain Festival and wanted to kill some time, turned out to be the best decision. The model village was the highlight of the day, even better than the festival.

Very good. Easy walk from town. Or plenty of parking. My toddler loved it too.

Great place for adults and children. Gives a great description and outlay of 3 towns

Lovely to walk around modal railway village From villages to train stations. I loved the church with bride and groom mini people Very well crafted.

This hotel really is one of the most welcoming, accommodating and relaxing hotels. Overall, everything was just perfect for us. Lovely, welcoming and attentive staff. Excellent food and service. We had a perfect couple of days and the beautiful weather was an absolute bonus. Definitely recommend.

The hotel was absolutely amazing 10/10! I stayed a while ago, and from the moment I arrived at reception, the staff were super friendly and welcoming. The weather was perfect, which made the whole experience even better. The spa and food were pure luxury, and the cocktails were incredible. The staff in general were really kind and attentive specially a Spanish guy from the lounge who made some truly outstanding cocktails. Overall, such a friendly atmosphere and top-notch service.

Stayed for two nights in the hotel. Quiet weekend break, essentially staying in hotel for the 2 days. Made use of the fantastic spa and had some treatments. Ate in the restaurant and bar both nights. Stands out as our best hotel stay in Ireland - staff go above and beyond and are so helpful. Excellent areas in hotel for unwinding, lounge area was fantastic, and restaurant with sea views fantastic. Complimentary chocolates both nights and homemade jam on checkout were nice touches.

Beautiful hotel. Wonderful staff, delicious food, great spa facilities. A welcome drink on arrival and a little gift on departure. The room was spacious, and had a sea view. Only downsides: no bath, no aircon, no usb sockets.

Outstanding service staff lovely and welcoming. The hotel facilities are 5 star. My wife has just commented that we've been coming here for 20 years and I had to pause as its mad to think that . Hopefully we'll be coming at least another 20yrs as its our No1 breakaway in Ireland.

Great hotel. Breakfast room should be made larger, waiting 40 mins for a table. Pool is way too salty, kids (and adult) eye irritation. Used once and wouldnt go back to it. Everything else great.

Peaceful, beautiful location and lovely attentive staff. The seafood dishes we ordered weren’t great (please don’t serve a foam when you have a bisque on the menu, the foam is really past its sell-by date in the food world), but all the other food was wonderful for breakfast and dinner.

such an amazing and beautiful place. plenty of lovely walks to do, as well as a giftshop with some smalls snacks available aswell. All the staff is so kind and you can feel the love they have for these animals.

Such a lovely place! The walk around the farm is beautiful, and the staff are incredibly kind and welcoming. The donkeys look so happy and well cared for — it’s clear they’re truly loved here.

Beautiful location and the staff was very friendly and informative. We appreciate the dog friendly policies. They do wonderful work here caring for these sweet donkeys, lots of TLC. We enjoyed our visit and happy to be able to support a worthy cause!

A lovely place to go for walks and trails laid out plus see and greet the curious donkies. Adopt one for €25 for a year. Free entry

How do people leave without a donkey??? This place is AMAZING, so many donkeys! Love the different walks you can do to see them all. We were warmly welcomed by a knowledgeable volunteer who answered all of our questions. Even got some love from one of the donkeys. Please make sure and leave a donation for this wonderful place as it is free to get in.

Very cool place for donkeys! Highly recommended if you love donkeys and have an hour to kill. ! And IT'S FREE!!!!!!

The Donkey Sanctuary is such an amazing place to visit. The donkeys are all so friendly and cute! The staff are so nice. 😊 Its very dog friendly and theres a couple of different trails and walks you can do. Dobby really enjoyed his visit.

A nice church in the middle of town. It is an old church and stained glass windows were introduced later in the 1800. It has a sea garden in the front that is a nice respite for the church goers.

Surely one of the most historical and interesting churches in Cork. Dating from the 12th. Century and packed with interesting features such as dedications, stained glass, medieval slabs and windows as well as the graveyard on its grounds. Plenty to see here as there is information signs regarding most items on display. Highly recommended if yourein Kinsale. No entrance fee. Parking nearby. 10/10.

St. Multose Church is a very beautiful Church of Ireland located in Kinsale Ireland. The bell tower was built in about 1190, and there is also a grave yard and mausoleums on the church grounds. Dame Katherine and Robert Southwell are buried here. They died in 1679 and 1677 respectively. James Galway, who died in 1627, is also buried here. I would highly recommend a visit to St. Multose Church.

Lovely little church in the town center of Kinsale. Parked on the street right outside (metre paid) . Beautiful stained windows and plaques telling you who/what is happening. Great acoustics.

One of the most beautiful churches in all of Ireland. The stained glass windows are magnificent

A very old church with a medieval-era campanile. Lots of history, and worth a visit. It has some interesting stain-glass windows, as well.

I’ve found the pastoral care here to be lacking, especially when members go through difficult times. I hope the church will improve in providing more support and follow-up to all parishioners and not just those they and the church warden favours.

Small castle up the road from Kinsale. Not a ton to see but worth the short walk from city center.

Worth a gander if you're walking around Kinsale, it's an impressive building, not currently open to the public, pop up the hill to admire it if you're close by.

This was certainly the smallest castle we saw in Ireland , not clearly marked . The walk to get to the castle through the very colourful streets of Kinsale was probably the highlight of our visit

Wonderful old building full of history . If you do a kinsale tour or the ghost tour . The guys doing the tours will give you the full history It’s extremely interesting.

It can only be seen from the outside, and is another attraction of this picturesque village in South Cork.

Visited the Kinsale Desmond Medieval Castle in august 2019. The castle is located in the town center beside the Church of Ireland on a hillside off a side street. Sadly the museum inside was closed but u can walk around the castle and site. The castle was built in the Gaelic medieval 1600 era, built by the Earl of Desmond of Kinsale.

Sadly this cake and museum are closed this year for renovations.

Smaller fort than Charles Fort. Wasn’t open in February. Walk from harbour up the hill was tricky due as path was mostly bare earth and wet due to recent rain. Wear appropriate footwear. Good view of Kinsale and surrounding are from here.

Short walk from parking spot along the docks. Path is well maintained but you can’t enter the fort, only walk around it. Nice views of Kinsale though.

A pleasant walk around the fort, although the paths and slopes can be a bit tricky, so wear proper footwear. Free entry, not loads to see but it's a cool ruin with great views across the harbour.

Take the Scilly walk from Kinsale to the fort. Take the pathe on way back and the road past the Spaniard and the Bullman on way to Forte. Great spot

Amazing place. about 40 minutes' easy walk from the port of Cobh. the scenery is stunning. everything is organized, there is no rubbish. a real pleasant trip. it can also be interesting with children. nearby beach, sandy beach.

James Fort is a fantastic place to visit with views every angle . The Fort was built in 14 th century destroyed in the battle of 1601 . It’s a great place to bring your own picnic but there are few bins & no toilets. It’s a super place to bring your dog for a run . Lovely small beach but packed in the summer. The dock bar is an old bar but a wonderful place to have a drink no food is served here . No toilets or cafe here

James Fort is only accessible on foot. There is parking near Dock Beach and it is approximately a 4 minute walk from there. There are approx 6 fairly steep steps to climb to get onto the path to the Fort. We walked around the Fort but it wasn't possible to go in. It was interesting to see and there is a great view of Kinsale from the path.

Fascinating fort in a beautiful setting. The tour was very informative and entertaining - one of the better tours I've been on anywhere. Our guide was very knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed his job. The fort is very interesting and you can explore almost everywhere. Incredible value for the €5 entry fee.

Very nice museum and grounds of the old fort. We ate at the cafe and the coffee, soup and sandwiches where very good. Makes a nice lunch stop. We did not take the Guided tour. But it is included in the ticket price.

I adored this fort. It was absolutely a must on a perfect sunny day. The staff was very friendly and the exhibit gave a full picture of the place. All outdoor walking but worth going everywhere

A huge fort a bit outside of Kinsale. Please take your time for the visit, so you can explore all the parts of the fort. The view on the bay is astonishing by itself.

Beautiful walk around Charles Fort—went out via the lower path and returned on the upper for amazing views. Highly recommend the free guided tour (check times in advance). A peaceful, scenic spot full of history—well worth a visit!

A lovely 30 min walk from Kinsale (try to take the Scilly walk in one or both directions). Very interesting and extensive 17th century fortifications with friendly staff and option of a guided tour. Well laid out exhibitions. Grounds beautifully kept. Stunning views back to Kinsale and out to sea. Good cafe in the grounds and two food vans outside.

Charles Fort was rainy and wind swept on our visit, but since this is not atypical in Ireland, we braved it and were not disappointed. There is a historical overview by a park ranger, and several videos and museum pieces to see, which are well done. This fort was extremely important in the 1601 war with England. The Spanish Armada tried helping the Irish, but Britian prevailed.

Nice stroll through the Castle grounds, beautiful area.

Beautiful place to visit there's an amazing playground it's huge and a coffee trailer at the playground carpark the castle itself is fab to look at and see and the ground all around it there's also a fab walk way great way to spend a day plenty of benches on the walk and would be wheel chair compliant too lovely smooth paths all around the walk way shown in photos

33 acres of Garden & woodlands with a 16 century Castle at the entrance. Very nice river walk along with other trails to explore....

Nice place to visit and spend some time. Large spaces to walk, nice little castle and ruins.... However the grass is not well maintained in certain areas, no public toilets, Parking can be an issue too.

Very nice to walk around see the castle, white deers and park.

As stated by others, the castle is inaccessible as it's in ruins but you can still get some good photos. The rest of the grounds has a nice walk and it looks like someone is working on the stately house.

This is a hidden gem You would not believe the size of this park. You can spend an entire day there You can actually go fishing if you choose. There are sites to see off the main path. Orchids all over the place. Really a hidden gem and worth a destination

The Blarney estate is huge and you could easily spend many hours here. Everything is well presented from the lawns, trees, gardens and the lake. The castle and the Stone are the main draw but the whole place is nice. Good cafe and gift shop which is expensive but which gift shop isn't? Recommended.

A really beautiful site, you can walk through the gardens all day. If you are a gardener-as me- you will love it. It is very well kept. The castle was very worth exploring. The house instead is private and cannot be accessed. The ticket is not cheap, definitely but I would recommend visiting.

If you don't like heights, then don't come here. There was also a 90min wait. The queue was well behaved. It's an impressive great to get up the tight steep staircase. It's only 90ft up but it feels a lot higher. If you do the kiss don't look down.. grab bend stretch.

They do a great job with the massive number of visitors they get. The castle is in pretty good shape, but know that the climb to the top is not easy and kissing the stone requires some effort and a lot of flexibility. The grounds and the gardens are fantastic and you could easily keep occupied for a couple of hours.

We loved the Blarney castle and garden! The garden was so big, so beautiful, and the castle itself was really cool. They also have caves which were fun to go into. Highly recommend!

Best day out. There for almost 5 hours. Great coffee, food, toilets. Wait for the stone was an hour. I am horribly claustrophobic but had three lovely people behind me, who gave me space and encouraged me. Without my husbands and their support I couldn't have done it. It's a narrow, dark, slow walk up and for those who are not agile , it would be difficult. There is a strong rope to aid this. It is breezy though, so for people like me, that's a bonus. The turn around is incredibly quick. Lie on your back, slide back, extend the neck, kiss, up and out... next! Photos are collected downstairs. I wouldn't have bought them but my husband happily paid €40. The grounds are fabulous and you can meander for hours and easily get lost! A days outing for the whole family

Yes it is a bunch of hype and yes we had to do it. All of the little rooms in the castle are interesting, even the his and hers indoor plumbing!

This place was gorgeous. What a neat experience climbing the castle and kissing the rock. The stairs are steep and twisty, so be careful going up or down, but well worth the views. The surrounding gardens are pretty as well. They did a great job with signage so you can learn all about the castle and the stories about it without needing a guide.

Enchanting Oasis - Blarney Castle & Gardens Visiting Blarney Castle & Gardens was a treat! We strolled through the beautiful gardens, explored the historic castle ruins and enjoyed the peacocks roaming freely. Don't miss the famous Blarney Stone and the Poison Garden with its intriguing plants. Highlights: - Stunning Gardens:Beautiful, well-manicured gardens with lakes, waterfalls, and walking trails - Historic Castle: Explore the castle ruins and enjoy the views from the top - Friendly Peacocks: Enjoyed the peacocks and other wildlife Blarney Castle & Gardens is a must-visit near Cork, offering a lovely mix of history, nature, and fun!

Was a nice visit, the queuing system through the castle was a tad challenging, particularly when stood on the medieval stairs. The highlight was the gardens, they were beautiful, well looked after and there was something to see at every turn. 23 euro to visit, which seemed a tad on the pricey side. You might get the gift of the gab by kissing the stone, but the gift of the gab doesn't get you discounted entry!

Absolutely! Here's a well-rounded review you can post on Google Maps for **Blarney Castle & the Blarney Stone**: --- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **A magical slice of Irish history—kiss the stone and explore the gardens!** Blarney Castle is an incredible experience, combining history, myth, and some absolutely stunning scenery. Of course, the main attraction is kissing the Blarney Stone—but the castle and grounds offer so much more than that! Climbing to the top of the castle is an adventure in itself. The stone spiral staircase is steep and narrow, but it adds to the authenticity. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with amazing views of the countryside—and of course, the famous kiss. Yes, it’s touristy, but it's also fun and part of the charm. The staff at the top are friendly and make the process smooth (and safe). What really impressed me were the gardens and grounds. They’re beautifully maintained and full of surprises—mystical spots like the Poison Garden, Druid’s Cave, and Wishing Steps make it feel like something out of a fairytale. Plan to spend extra time just exploring beyond the castle itself. The castle grounds are large, and everything is clearly signposted. There’s also a café and a shop on-site. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate, and it wasn’t overly crowded when we visited—though I’d recommend going early just in case. Definitely worth the trip if you're anywhere near Cork. A perfect mix of legend, nature, and history!

Blarney Castle and Gardens was amazing! we spets quite a few hours looking through the Castle and wandering the gardens. The property itself was meticulously maintained and many staff were wandering around tending to the the gardens. We arrived reasonably early so missed the queue to climb the castle but there's a bit of wait if you get there late. We really loved our time here!

We went in a rainy Saturday so they're weren't quite a many people. Entrance was €23 per person but we spent quite a bit of time there exploring the grounds. The gardens are lovely with lots of interesting little areas to explore. If you want to kiss/see the Blarney Stone, be prepared to wait. We saw signs marking 90, 60, and 30 minute estimated wait time areas. If you have any mobility or health issues, be aware that you may have to stand on the spiral staircase with medieval steps while you're waiting to get to the to of the castle.

Brilliant place. We went there on Sunday morning in early November. There was no crowds. We waited less then one minute to kiss the stone. Estate is really nice. Especially beautiful with all the autumnal colours. Make sure to be ready for Irish weather as there is a lot of walking.

Good traditional and regional products. Unfortunately only knitting needles from India and not from Germany (addi). I bought a wool sweater in merino quality to a good price.

The shop has a huge variety of goods - the Guiness selection was one of the best I have seen. The care was nice and the little robot wandering around with the trays was fun to watch.

What a fantastic shop! The only thing I didn’t like about this shop is once you’ve been there you don’t need to go anyplace else. So if you’re looking for a sweater, slacks, a hat, gloves, socks, kitchenware, jewelry, souvenirs, shoes, kids clothes, can’t think of anything else, this is your place.

Great place to have a look around for souvenirs and bigger items. You have a pub and somewhere to get something to eat. Parking can get busy.

Like everything else about this place, it was magical! But be prepared to lighten your wallet when you visit. The clothes are so soft and they will ship your purchases for free if they are over $300, which is super easy to do! And you can combine with a friend for free shipping.

Great place to shop..so much to see..very high quality woollens and also many Irish souvenirs available

Such a lovely interesting shop with so much to look at. 3 floors of products in keeping with the woollen mill heritage. I only gave it 4 stars due to it just being so expensive. I get it’s good quality I do but some products were out of this world on price. Worth a visit though if anything and if you have deep pockets then you’ll love it. 😊

Only after the day was done I met a local that said to do Quay or Marina Market instead. Oh well! It was nice! I bought a ton of olives and some cheese, delicious! The sushi was decent & the kombucha fantastic! Very helpful staff at On The Pigs Back.

This place blew me away . The layout was intriguing fascinating and a pure delight for Any foodie like me . It reminded me in many ways of the markets in far off countries I have explored only much cleaner. With its side passages to explore with new delights to smell and treat you taste buds to . I loved the way the stall holders were happy to let you sample foods .and the jostling crowds were much more civilized than abroad . This place is a touch of heaven but beware you could spend a great deal here as i absolutely did 😉 NOT TO BE MISSED

The English Market was a highlight of my trip to Cork. If you like authentic experiences, don’t miss visiting this place. There are plenty of options for food, not to mention fresh meat, chicken, fish, and homemade goodies.

Good place to visit if you want local and organic produce. Even had a merchant selling lots of vegan brands and a baker offering vegan pastries. We came here late (around 5.15pm and already most stalls were closed or closing down although it was said to be open till 6. If you have the time come visit but I'd not consider it a must-see attraction in Cork.

The English Market in Cork, Ireland, is a true gem and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city. Located in the heart of Cork, this historic covered market has been serving locals since 1788, making it one of the oldest municipal markets in the world still in operation. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a vibrant mix of aromas, colors, and friendly chatter that perfectly captures the spirit of Cork.

Cool indoor market with the full gamut of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, fresh baking, coffee, juices, sushi, you name it. Definitely worth a visit but be careful if hungry! The Farmgate Cafe is worth a visit (up on the balcony/terrace) if all the food on display gets the better of your appetite

The English Market in Cork is a classic covered market right in the heart of the city, offering a bit of everything: meat, fish, cheese, sweets, and local specialties of good quality. The atmosphere is pleasant, and the place has a certain historic charm, with its traditional stalls and well-preserved Victorian architecture. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cork, whether to pick up some Irish delicacies or to experience a slice of local life. That said, the market isn’t particularly lively or impressive compared to other major European markets — it lacks the vibrant mix of colors, aromas, and cultural variety you might find in larger capitals. In short, it’s a nice spot to see while in Cork, but not a must-see attraction for those who have already explored famous markets in cities like London, Madrid, or Paris.

Great trails. Well laid out. Helpfull staff in the shop.

Amazing spot. Multiple trails to ride on depending on your cycling proficiency. 10/10 would recommend.

This was our 1st experience of a MTB trail. This has an excellent set up, with the on-site option of bike hire and shop and toilet facilities. We will be using again as the kids loved the various options of trails to choose from.

Wonderful trails and single track. The downhill shicanes are amazing. Parking currently costs €5. On the other hand the map(s) of the trails is about as bad as any map could be. The main map is virtually unusable. Throughout the trails there are numbers at locations but for some reason they do not appear on any map. Surely that is the propose of them to help you find your location. There are other sign issues and at least one significant mistake that I spotted on one map. They did a super job on the trails but the map …. 🤷‍♂️

This place is amazing!I enjoyed every second there and can't wait to come back to try other trails. Is 5 euros the car park and you must have coins to play it.You can rent a bike and equipment from there. I had my 400 euro bike and I feelt that there is her limit, need good brakes and a bit of skills because you can hit any time a tree or rocks. Is very easy to fallow the marks. And at the end you can wash your bike the for 2 euro coins but the water has low pressure on need a brush.

Super riding experience on well maintained and super fun mostly techical trails. An excellent spot for MTB riding close to Cork.

I bc am cyclist and have been here 3x from the states. This time we did no diamonds and it basically was all climbing. Tech 1 was coolish, tech 2 would be cool with an e-bike, and prior to T 1 there was a cool section. All told about 2 cool sections while climbing 2.2k feet. It’s geared towards e-bikes and the rentals say don’t go down the diamonds. They are not that hard, definitely go down the diamonds.

The Cobh Heritage Centre was an incredibly moving experience. The exhibits beautifully tell Ireland’s emigration story with heart and authenticity. Learning about those who once departed from this port knowing some were my own ancestors made it deeply personal. A must-visit for anyone with Irish roots or an appreciation for history.

Just on the quayside if you are on a cruise ship here. As you enter a very nice cafe to take in the yesteryears theme. Tea’s coffee and cake. From here you can buy entry to the Heritage museum.

My husband and I went for a genealogy consult, but then enjoyed the museum afterward. What a gem! This centre encapsulated so much of Irish history with a variety of media that would keep any visitor engaged. This should be a “must” when you travel to Cobh.

Christy and team were friendly, helpful, and provided insightful advice about ways to track down my Irish ancestors. A worthwhile hour to spend on genealogy! Thank you Christy and team!

We made an appointment with a geneologist weeks before our visit for a 60 minute consultation. I learned a few new things about my family's location prior to 1847. After thst, records were lost for a period of time because of the famine. The Heritage Center offers a well organized historical display. Thectown of Cobh is charming, clean, and picturesque.

My sister and I did the 1 hour session with a genealogist. His name is Christy Keating and he was extremely knowledgeable of the history of Ireland and of the migration of our ancestors. He was able to find out were my great grandmother came from. As well as her mother and father which was a big mystery. Christy was very compassionate and he will always be in a special place in my heart. Thank you Christy! Going through the rest of the tour was amazing afterwards. It put in perspective what our ancestors had to go through to get to America. I can't believe so many people survived those conditions. All of it is worth doing, but if your not into genealogy at least do the tour.

A local initiative, a good collection of heritage artifacts and photos. Very welcoming staff. Worth a visit 😃

We purchased timed tickets in advance for this experience. It was worth a visit. The first half of the tour is guided with lots of good information. The second half is self-guided with even more information. It was a neat experience to be in the same spot that some of our distant relatives were in when they boarded here for America. We also got to find more information on the people from our family who boarded the boat here. Definitely recommend this tour. I have not visited the museum in Belfast but two of my family members did. They liked that this experience was completely different than the one in Belfast. They thought it was cool to have done both.

As you know, Titanic had some here in this town as the last port of call before its tragedy, therefore this museum is quite significant to the shipliner. Very well displayed and interesting. Staff was very friendly. This visited it a guided visit and you cannot visit without a tour guide.

Missed the tour in Belfast,but thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Was a small group, was given a boarding ticket as you enter, and was told of you survived the voyage at the end. Great information from the staff. Nice souvenir shop aswell.

A moving and thought provoking guided experience. Based in the original White Star ticket office from where Titanic left her last stop having picked up Irish Emigrants and a few better-off passengers. You get a replica ticket with a real name and discover their individual fate at the end of the tour.

Nice little tour through the former White Star Pier and Office building. Where the last pessengers embarked to their journey on Titanic. You are given a Ticket of one of these last 127 Passengers, to follow the path of their destiny. The Tour then gives you impressions on how your individual passenger experienced the journey. It is a nice Concept.

Fabulous little museum. Loved the guided tour which took us around what was the original White Star Line ticket office with rooms set up as cabins, and past the remains of the original pier which was quite poignant. The exhibition space at the end was packed full of information but not overwhelming. We spent about an hour here which was about right. Staff were helpful and very friendly. Highly recommend.

I really liked it! The girl who gave the tour and told us everything..., with such soul - super! It was as if she transferred us to that time. I recommend everyone who comes to Cobh to visit this museum

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. A very special place for many reasons. Im not religious but when I go there I feel complete. Highly recommend a visit. Sit, have a prayer, be thankful.

Imposing building dominating the Cobh skyline. The interior is as beautiful as the exterior is strong. Must be an incredible place to worship when full. Some wonderful stained glass and a good-looking organ with its pipes high up, just under the window at the south end. There's a bit of a climb to reach it but we'll worth the effort. There was even a peregrine falcon perched in one of the turrets.

St. Colman’s Cathedral is a stunning neo-Gothic masterpiece overlooking the sea in Cobh. The cathedral is impressively large and beautifully detailed, both inside and out. Unlike many others, its interior truly preserves the essence of the neo-Gothic style, with magnificent arches, stained glass windows, and intricate stonework. Entry is free, making it an absolute must-see when visiting Cobh.

**Cobh Cathedral (St. Colman's): A Masterpiece of Architecture!** Absolutely stunning! As a tourist, the **architecture** of Cobh Cathedral is truly breathtaking. Its impressive **Gothic Revival design** dominates the skyline, and up close, the intricate stonework, magnificent spires, and beautiful detailing are just incredible. Even without stepping inside, the sheer scale and craftsmanship are a sight to behold. A must-see for anyone who appreciates grand religious architecture!

A beautiful cathedral on top of " the rock" high in the town of Cobh. Its amazing stained glass windows and altar give this church a real sense of grandeur. The views up here are nice as you can almost get a panoramic view of Cobh. Definitely worth the hike up to visit this place.

Beautiful cathedral and scenery. Can see the view of Coby city. Must visit when you are around. Service was on too at the time of visit

We were unable to tour the Cathedral as there was a funeral when we where there. We did not feel comfortable intruding on that. However we had a perfect view from our hotel room and where fascinated with how it's appearance would change with the lighting.

Nice trip filled with information. Just enough time to walk through the main routes. Very limited food options so taking your own is recommended. Overall clean and safe.

Great tour to Spike Island. Interesting and fun story about this place. Definitely worth a visit.

Great place to visit. 15 minutes by ferry from cobh. Better to pay and park near cobh church . It takes around 4 hours to cover the island. There is a toilet and a small cafeteria on the island. Before going check the weather if it's raining you can't enjoy the island

Great place to wile away an afternoon. Boat trip over and back from Cobh (about 10 mins each way ) and a 40 min tour guide included for about 25 euro per adult. Small cafe on site. bring a picnic, have a beer, walk, chill on the grass, however you want to spend your afternoon. It’s wheelchair accessible for the most part and just so well kept - good walking trek for Trekkies and for Irish history buffs it is a complete must. Super to meet all the friendly tour guides when we were there, João, Marion, Rob, Aine and Kealan. ( really hope I spelt all your names okay.) whose knowledge about the place was impressive. Thank you guys for making our day. Best to book in advance especially when the weather is good.

Visited Spike Island, had a wonderful day and great walk for almost 5 hours.

October 2022: we ended up going to Spike Island on the recommendation from our BnB host. We had a great time on the ferry over, and the tour was informative without being overdone. The island itself has lots of information on placards, and if you’re not into going into the prison there’s lots of lovely walks outside. We found lots of berry bushes and little goats. Be sure to dress for the weather; we started the day with sun and a bit of wind, and throughout the day the wind picked up and we ended up in a cold rainstorm. Since this was at the end of tourism season, we made sure to pack a small picnic as the tour lasts an entire day and the small café on the island was closed.

A great morning out ,with a trio across by ferry to the island, reasonably priced, very informative about the history of the island and its firmer uses, however I was a bit disappointed that the history of the Irish Denence Forces use and military presence on the island from 1938 up to the 1982 when it became a civilian prison seems to have been airbrushed out of the official history given by our tour guide, limited option for food otherwise lovely day out.

I had an amazing ride out with John at Ballyhoura. The trail was a perfect balance of relaxing strolls through the stunning patchwork hillside and thrilling canters through beautiful fields. John tailored the ride perfectly to my level of experience and gave me exciting opportunities to test my skills. I cannot recommend Ballyhoura highly enough to riders of any skill level. An amazing value and can’t miss experience. I can’t wait to go back!! Thank you John!!

Absolutely amazing experience ❤️. Had a fantastic time as a pretty much complete novice, and my experienced riding compagnon had loads of fun as well. Beautiful surroundings and great guide, thanks again!

What a great experience i had with johnny. I was a novice and he looked after me so well. This is a great experience and I will re visit him when I plan my next visit. Thank you Johnny.

Had an excellent experience here with my daughter. Chester was perfect for my daughter and John Joe was so generous with his time. He made the day very special for my daughter, it will be a day she wont forget. Very happy memories made.

Fantastic experience with my family, the adults went on a trek up the mountain and the 3 kids stayed for a lesson, all first timers and all were very well looked after, thank you very much :-)

John is very good teacher, enjoyed very much, will come back soon

Absolutely fantastic! What a great yard and fantastic horses , can't wait to go back

Fantastic place. Very well presented and run. Great if you want to smack a ball or two or One Hundred 👍👌

Had a really fantastic experience at Corrin Hill Driving Range. Fabulous little facility in Fermoy. It’s so clean and the bays are in wonderful condition. You can also play off the grass surface as well as the artificial one. I was greeted by Jerry when I arrived and he couldn’t be more helpful. He got me set up straight away and offered a few brilliant tips which were great after being a few years out of the game. He also got me a cup of coffee at one stage which was greatly appreciated. Nothing but good things to say.

Lovely...clean and a lot of fun to practice some shots

Great facility welcoming .ideal for practice . Open all year round. Very welcoming , Top class coaching available too

Great place and friendly staff. A great driving range with plenty of variation to practice your whole game.

Full credit due to all involved in running range. Lovely to see stove lighting and the kettle boiling as well. Well worth a call!

Great atmosphere. Very well kept. Staff are always very happy to help.

We went to the Middleton distillery earlier today for the tour tour as part of a team building activity and we had a great time. Our tour guide was extremely interactive and kept the momentum of the tour going good. She also respected the time crunch, but at the same time gave us a comprehensive tour of the distillery. Overall great experience and definitely recommended

We joined the “Midleton Distillery Experience & Premium Whiskey Tasting” tour. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, answered everyone’s questions, and even recommended whiskeys based on each person’s taste preferences. During the standard tasting, we tried Jameson, Green Spot, Redbreast 10, and Redbreast 12. For the premium tasting, we sampled Jameson Black Barrel, Powers, Redbreast 15, and Midleton Very Rare — all excellent choices. The cafe area is perfect for having breakfast or enjoying a cup of coffee, while the shop offers a great selection of gifts for every budget — perfect for yourself or a loved one. The bar area has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy whiskey or other drinks even if you’re not touring the museum. A wonderful experience overall — thank you, Jameson!

It was an amazing experience! We joined the Distiller’s Apprentice Tour and got to taste so many incredible whiskies, including some rare cask expressions, which was a real treat. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour both fun and informative. The bar area and gift shop were also great with plenty to explore. Definitely worth a visit!

I recently visited the Midleton Distillery and had a fantastic experience. The tour was engaging, informative, and very well organized. Our tour guide was outstanding—knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and able to bring the history and craft of whiskey-making to life in a really memorable way. The bar staff were equally impressive. They were welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. The tasting experience was top-notch, with great explanations and recommendations. Overall, it was an excellent visit from start to finish. Highly recommended!

One of the best tours we did on our 4 week driving holiday of Ireland. Staff were informative and genuinely nice people. We also did the extra tasting, well worth it. This place is beautiful!

We had a great experience on the tour. The tasting was fantastic and the history was awesome to learn about. I would recommend giving yourself about 90 minutes to complete the tour. It is definitely worth the stop, even if it is out of your way.

I dont drink but I loved the tour. It's history and the whiskey making process was very interesting. I didnt realize alcohol is collectable. My family really enjoyed the tour. My whiskey drinking friend and my sons bought their favorites as well.

On the doorstep, a go to place to lose one's self!

Beautiful place to visit for a day trip. Not much in way of entertainment. Food at hotel was lovely

Beautiful glen and great view of Galtees.

Only worth going to the "Glen of Aherlow viewpoint" and no signage on the road getting there either

Worth a visit, enjoyed it if you like like long walks it's the place to be.

My wife's mother was born here, but not much to see until you reach the viewing point.

Lovey counrty Woods to go walking and then the statue of chist the King on mountain to see and nice views. Also Hotel to have lunch in too