Famous Local Attractions

1.. Blarney Castle
Situated 8km from Cork City, the historic castle is most famous for its Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk.

2.. Garnish Island
Garnish island is a tiny island located in Glengarrif bay in West Cork. With access by ferry (10 minutes) from the mainland, it is a plantation of tropical beauty in this beautiful sheltered harbour. Visitors delight at the array of exquisite tropical colours and the splendid walled gardens. The harbour is the home of several hundred seals, which can be seen from the ferry when travelling to the island.

3.. Fota Wildlife Park
Located just outside the town of Cobh, Fota Wildlife Park is 70 acres of open countryside, which you share with 70 species of wildlife from all five continents. Take a walk on pathways through forty acres of grassland where giraffe, zebra and antelope roam, through woods where wallabies wander, past bird-filled lakes and monkey islands, penguin and flamingo pools, cheetahs in tree-shaped enclosures. Or take it easy and hop on the tour train.

4.. Jameson Heritage Centre
Jameson Heritage Centre is located in Midleton, just 12 miles from Cork city. Visitors can see the oldest pot still in the world with a capacity of 32,000 gallons and the old waterwheel manufactured in 1825 to provide motive power prior to the days of electricity, and still turning today. Each visit culminates in the Jameson Bar with the Irish Whiskey tasting session, when you may have the opportunity of becoming a qualified Irish Whiskey Taster with a presentation diploma!

5.. Clonakilty Model Railway Village
Enjoy a visit to the unique West Cork Model Railway Village in Clonakilty, which is a delightful discovery for both young and old. Here you can step back in time and follow the route of a miniaturised version of the former West Cork Railway and experience life in the 1940's.

6.. Cobh... The Queenstown Story
The Queenstown story tells in graphic detail the nautical history of Cork Harbour from where thousands of emigrants set sail for the new world. The exhibition explores the conditions aboard the coffin ships, details Cobh's connections with the ill-fated Titanic and relives the horror of the sinking Lusitania.

7.. Timoleague Abbey
The ruins of this beautiful Franciscan friary sit on the banks of the Argideen river at the picturesque village of Timoleague, just three miles from Courtmacsherry. Learn of Celtic history and Irish mythology and understand why this wonderful abbey has become such an attraction.

8.. Castletown-Kinneigh Round Tower
To the north of Enniskeane (about 20 minutes drive from Courtmacsherry) stands the celebrated Kinneigh Tower. It is an unusual structure, being hexagonal in form from the base to a height of eighteen feet, and circular from there up. This unique tower is the only one of its type in Ireland.

9.. Lisselan Estate
The Argideen river flows through Lisselan Estate and enters the sea at Courtmacsherry bay. This splendid estate has horse training facilities, a golf course, salmon and trout fishing and glorious gardens and really is worthy of a day visit. Imperial Call, owned by the Lisselan Estate, was the 1996 Cheltenam Gold Cup winner. Lisselan Golf Course is ranked in the top ten in Europe by Fore magazine. Lisselan gardens contain many spectacular features, such as azalea garden, rockery, japanese maple, rose-wreathed pergola, water lilies, wistaria and water gardens. There is a mature rhododendron garden, a shrubbery containing mature pine, spruce, holly and more unusual plants, including acacia, myrtle, eucalyptus and robinia.