Ireland – County Cork

County Cork, Ireland

Visit the beautiful unspoilt countryside of County Cork, Ireland on this memorable trip. See Clonakilty, an old traditional Irish town, famous for having one of the founders of modern Ireland as a resident.  Wander the ancient ruins of a 14th Century Abbey with its huge walls and outlook over the estuary. Then walk the long, long beaches of Inchydoney Bay and get lost in the solitude and elements (but watch out that the tide isn’t coming in fast!). End up at Cobh to see the where the ill-fated Titanic made it last stop before disaster. County cork is a “corker” of a place to visit!

Another day trip out but this time I stayed with a friend in the lovely Dunmore House Hotel, (click here for details), on Muckross Head, County Cork , a headland just south of the town of Clonakilty. The hotel was a great choice by my friend as it was super comfy, warm (it was January!). It had a great bar and service with the most fabulous views from the bedrooms. The cosy lounge and breakfast area had huge picture windows and a terrace with views across Inchydoney Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Check out my other review visit to Co Waterford here.

A few of the many places to see in County Cork.

The whole of the coastline of County Cork, in the Southern part of Ireland is stunning. Probably the only way to enjoy them and to see them in full is by car. We did just that, and explored the area by car and stopped frequently, to admire the views and take in the massive landscapes. Public transport between villages and towns is not that frequent and does not go directly to the tourist headlands and beaches.

Inchydoney Bay.

Photos of Inchydoney Bay are below. It has a huge beach with a deep tide area. Even in Winter there were people walking on the beaches, taking dogs for runs and even someone exercising their horses on it. It was bracing in the cold weather, but so picturesque.

Clonakilty, County Cork.

Our first stop off was a the pretty town of Clonakilty in County Cork, (see town website here). This town has a mass of small streets and a main street full of all the stores you would want in a town. All of the shop fronts are painted colourfully and each one different in its design and colours.

It gave a really country feel to the town and as it was just after Xmas, a few of the pretty but originally inspired decorations were still up. One square had red round lanterns in the trees and at night, when we passed back by, it was lit up, delightful.

Michael Collin’s House 

One of the main reasons for coming to Clonakilty was to visit the Michael Collins House, (see website here). He was instrumental in Ireland gaining independence and was a revolutionary leader, politician and soldier throughout the many battles, engagements and confrontations that eventually led to Independence. He was assassinated in 1922 by a rival political faction.

Timoleague Abbey.

Next was a visit to some huge Friary/Abbey ruins set on a headland with wide views over Courtmacsherry Bay. Timoleague Abbey, see website here), was founded in 1240 but by the 17th Century, under the Franciscan monks, it had become a national centre of learning and even known internationally.

The grounds are extensive and much still remains so you can get a good sense of the original layout and buildings. It still has a viable graveyard, well attended to and is under state protection and maintenance as a national monument.

Cobh itself is a pretty town with the huge St Colman’s Cathedral. It looks out over the town from a high vantage point and gives great views out to sea as well. Go inside and see the huge ornate carved altar piece and various dedications to the titanic disaster too. The interior is classical Victorian but has many lovely stained windows including a huge Rose window over the main entrance.

Just in front of the museum is a statue of Sonia O’Sullivan – an Irish World Championships and Olympics 5000 m medal winner, and an Irish modern day icon. There are gradens dedicated to the White Star Line to which The Titanic was registered, a memorial stone to the Titanic and a memorial to theose who perished in the Lusitania liner sinking by a German U boat off the coast of Ireland.

You go into the small but original ticket office and buy your ticket from an old fashioned counter . However, you are given a ticket with an imprint of an original liner ticket with the name and class of cabin of one of the original 123 passengers who boarded here.

You are not told if you survived the sinking and the idea is to engage in the interactive displays, see the photos, mock ups of the cabins and classes to relate to how you might have travelled. You can listen to various videos of passengers, see the original pictures and hear the story of the sailing and what happened, as you pass through the various rooms.

At the end, there is a noticeboard and you get to find out if the ticket you are holding is one of those Queenstown (as Cobh was called those days) passengers who survived or drowned ! Such a interesting and engaging way of mounting the exhibition.

Sorry to say I was a kid travelling in 3rd Class and drowned and my friend was in 1st Class and survived! ……. not fair!

Jan 2017.