15 Feb Cork City and County
Beautifully situated on the River Lee, Cork City is after Dublin and Belfast, the 3rd city of Ireland with long established Choral, Film and Jazz Festivals. The rich farmland of Cork (the largest of the 32 counties) is separated by the Ballyhoura, Galty and the Knockmealdown Mountains range from Tipperary to the north, and two parallel river-valleys noted for their angling, the Blackwater and the Lee, cross the county flowing west-east to enter the sea at Cobh and Youghal. The seaport towns of Cobh, Youghal and Kinsale are historically and architecturally interesting, with the latter being also noted for its Gourmet Festival in November, and the well preserved 17th century Charles Fort.
The Georgian layout and architecture of Mitchelstown are a surprise among country towns. Forta Arboretum and Wildlife Park, south of Cork City, combined historically important garden with African, Asian and other wild animals in a demesne parkland setting. The Crawford Gallery in Cork has a distinguished art collection and gourmet restaurant. There are regional museums in Cork, Kinsale and Youghal. Blarney Castle and the ritual of kissing its “Gift of the Gab” granting magical stone is a bizarre and popular attraction.
Cork is a must see on your Ireland tours, contact us now to organise your tour.