Cork’s top 5 day trips from a local!
Cork county, as the largest county in Ireland, has so much to offer. Why would you want to be anywhere else? Growing up here there was always an endless list of things to do and places to go. We never had to travel far to see beautiful beaches, untouched wilderness, rugged coastlines, sprawling fields and even African animals! We want you to enjoy living in Cork as much as we do, so we have collected a list of the top 5 day trips you can take from Cork city, as reccomended by a local Corkonian. On to the list!
1. Clonakilty and Inchydoney Beach
West Cork is full of little gems and Clonakilty is just one of them. It’s one of the most beautiful towns in all of Ireland. The true charm however is in the friendly attitude of the local people. Make sure to try some Clonakilty Black Pudding in one of the many charming restaurants and cafes, and wash it down with a nice pint of Murphy’s while listening to some authentic Irish music in some of the county’s best pubs.
It’s the best way to experience Ireland like a local! Then when you’ve had your fill make sure to drive down to Inchydoney beach, one of the best beaches in the country. The views are amazing and can’t be beat! Just don’t swim in the sea, unless you can really handle the cold.
2. Kinsale
Kinsale is known as the first stop on the Wild Atlantic Way, a famous scenic route along Ireland’s west coast. And it’s maybe one of the best stops on the route too. Only 25 kilometres from Cork city it’s an easy trip to make in a day. Like Clonakilty it’s a small picturesque town full of charming pubs and restaurants and kind and friendly locals. With brightly coloured shops and buildings on every street corner you won’t know which way to look! Kinsale is also home to the historic 17th century military fort Charles Fort and the scenic viewpoint Old Head of Kinsale. The town has so much to offer and it’s definitely worth a visit. Take a look at Kinsales tourim Instagram below to see how you should spend your day in kinsale
3. Gougane Barra
If you want a break from busy city life and the day to day rush, Gougane Barra is the place to visit. Located only an hour and half from Cork city it’s a beautiful woodland area with amazing hikes and trails, scenic views and true natural beauty. You won’t find another place like it in all of Ireland. It is also the grounds of a beautiful 19th century church next to a large picturesque lake. It’s a great place to stretch your legs while taking in the natural beauty of your surroundings. One of Cork’s truly hidden gems.
4. Blarney Castle
You can’t visit Cork and not visit Blarney Castle, one of the most famous attractions in the city if not one of the most famous places to visit in all of Ireland. Blarney Castle is world famous for its legends and myths. It is said that if you kiss the stone in the Blarney Castle you’ll get “the gift of the gab”, otherwise known as eloquence. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea you could just enjoy the beautiful views from the top of the castle or go for a walk in the wonderful nearby gardens. Whatever you do it’ll be worth your while to experience Blarney Castle.
5. Fota Island and Wildlife Park
Fota has something for everyone. Only a stone’s throw from the village of Cobh and a short train ride from Cork, Fota is very easy to visit in a day. Consider visiting the Wildlife Park where you can see animals from all five continents such as flamingos, giraffes, monkeys and peacocks. The animals are also treated very well and Fota is hugely involved in conservation efforts for endangered species. Make sure you don’t miss the cheetah run, a chance to see this amazing animal’s speed in person. While you’re at Fota Island you can also experience the beautiful Fota House and Gardens, an elegant historic mansion with beautiful surrounding gardens. They’ve got new Cheetah cubs at the moment if you needed any more convincing!
That’s all from us this week, if you take any of these day trips and want to show us what a great time you had, feel free to tag us as always @corkenglishcollege on Facebook or Instagram and we will reshare, have a great week!