A Journey Through Ireland            

    Here on the pages where you can learn about a little island I call home I've made the decision to take you on a wee guided tour...

   This month we're in Co. Cork, the county in Ireland that has practically everything...

Co. Cork - Cork comes from the Irish Corcaigh meaning marsh and with an area of 7,460 square kilometers is the largest county in Ireland. It has Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohil at 1,039 m., has Ireland’s most southerly point and the most westerly point and contains Ireland’s second-largest city.

Also known as the Rebel County it can boast favourite sons in the shape of Michael Collins, Irelands most famous revolutionary and a more recent ‘revolutionary’ in the form of ex-Manchester United player Roy Keane. But in fact the county has a history of civilization that dates from the Stone Age forwards; in many ways a microcosm of the history of rural Ireland.

The jagged Cork coastline is famed for its magnificent scenery and it was this rugged beauty that was the final sight for many passengers as the Titanic made its final stop before its fateful journey in 1912. The spectacular coastline of over 1,000kms leans itself well to the shore fishing that is widely available as is excellent game angling and coarse angling.

             

In fact this is a region where activity holidays play a large role in holiday plans, and County Cork has hosted the Irish Open Golf Championships on a number of occasions in recent years. Long distance walking is very popular in the region, as are the many cycle routes. In all about 1,000kms of developed walking routes are available and about the same distance of developed or planned cycling routes await the visitor. In fact the county was even included in a Stage finish of The Tour de France cycle race! Add to the attractions the many festivals, the fact that Cork hosted the Eurovision Song Contest and that Cork City was designated European Capital of Culture for 2005 and it’s safe to say the visitor will never be bored…

Visitors have been enjoying the Region for about 250 years and many of these early travellers visited Killarney in County Kerry and Blarney in County Cork. But much of the attraction could be that the Cork Kerry Region is one of scenic contrasts. The long indented coastline blends with spectacular mountains and the many rivers and lakes combine with these mountains to give a landscape that is hard to resist.

Cork can be roughly divided into six areas;

• North Cork - centered along the lush green valley of the Blackwater River valley, stretches from Millstreet (Eurovision Song Contest 1993), through Mallow and Fermoy. Blarney is probably the most famous North Cork town, it is a small village but is world famous due the Blarney Stone which is said to give the gift of the gab to anyone who kisses it's surface.
  Touring North Cork - Ballyhoura and Duhallow
• Mid Cork - again centered along river valleys which run from west to east, this time the Lee and the Sullane. Dotted with many small towns and villages, interspaced with beautiful scenery. The main route from Cork to Kerry passes through these valleys.
• Exploring The Lee Valley
• South Cork - Miles and miles of coastline stretch between Cork Harbour a composite of golden beaches, quite coves and rugged cliffs. Many towns with a long sea-faring tradition are to be found here such as Kinsale, the town known as the gourmet capital of Ireland.
  A Tour through South Cork
• Cork City - Cork City located at the mouth of the River Lee has just celebrated both its Millennium and its 150th anniversary as a University City. Cork City is the second largest city in Ireland with a population of 128,000 and many Corkonians believe Cork should be the real capital of Ireland!  Popular events include the Cork Jazz Festival, and the annual film and folk festivals and weekends regularly see the many nightclubs filled to capacity. For a great view, visitors should climb Shandon  Tower - and have a go at ringing the bells!
  A Walking Tour of Cork City

  East Cork - East Cork stretches from the River Blackwater to Cork Harbour. It is an area of fertile farmland between the Galtee mountains in the North to the golden sands of Youghal and Garryvoe beaches in the South.
  A Tour through East Cork

  West Cork - attracts many tourists each year to it's prime locations like the Beara Peninsula which is shared with County Kerry. It commences at Bantry and passes through Castletownbere before entering County Kerry. Bantry is delightfully situated on the head of Bantry Bay. It has been welcoming visitors for many years.  

  NEXT TIME WE VISIT COUNTY. DERRY

   

  www.corklinks.com

  www.foundmark.com

  www.cork.goireland.com