‘Coosheen’, situated on the estuary of Cork harbour, houses a unique collection of plants which provide interest and colour from spring to late autumn. Of this remarkable plant collection, snowdrops, hellebores, dactylorhizas, agapanthus, and glorious late-season grasses, hedychiums and salvias are a speciality. Hester’s insatiable appetite for collecting plants makes this a must-see garden for the plant enthusiast. A series […]
Discover Millstreet Country Park ….. The South’s leading Cultural, Educational and Eco-Tourism Destination. In an environment which boasts an abundance of native wonders and spectacular breathtaking views, this beautiful 500 acre estate features miles of exhilarating walks, historical and archaeological features, themed gardens, wildlife and more. The spectacular ‘Mont des Arts’ is truly a world class feature and is a […]
Nestled in the hills surrounding Cork, with distant views of the River Lee, Lakemount seems to blend into it’s verdant landscape. In this beautiful corner of Ireland, Brian Cross has created, according to the Royal Horticultural Society, one of Ireland’s “flagship gardens”. The garden was started in the early 1950’s by Mrs. Peggy Cross, who laid out the basic form […]
Experience Ireland’s most unique sculpture garden and gallery in a spectacular forested waterfall oasis. Visitors enter the garden by one of several bridges across the river and begin a voyage of discovery in the wonderful blend of art and nature in three interlinked gardens. The Falling Water Garden, The Timeless Garden and high up the hill The Environmental Garden are […]
Fitzgerald Park just minutes away from Cork City centre is situated on the picturesque bank of the river Lee and spans approximately eighteen acres with swings & slides, manicured gardens and Cork Public Museum located at its centre. It is a very popular for children to play and is a popular Bank Holiday and sunny weekend location for young families. […]
The park comprises approximately 166 hectares and is an outstanding example of an 18th century landscaped park in the ‘Capability Brown’ style. Mature groves of deciduous trees, several restored water features and a number of deer herds can be viewed along the many pathways within the park. Doneraile Court, the former residence of the Saint Leger Family, is situated within […]
Nature, art, modern luxury and elegance come together in this beautiful 200-acre estate with its Georgian and Victorian country manor houses and its own lake near Skibbereen in West Cork. The magnificent gardens and woodlands at Liss Ard add to the uniqueness of the estate. Throughout, there are specially designed pathways and walkways that accentuate the guest’s appreciation of Irish […]
Gougane Barra was Ireland’s first National Park when it opened to the public in 1966. This contributes greatly to the reputation which Gougane Barra has as an area of wild and beautiful scenery. The magnificent Forest Park covers an area of over 400 hectares (1,000 acres). The River Lee rises here in Gougane Barra and flows through beautiful scenery to […]
The Cardinal rule to be applied according to the Second Earl of Bantry was that house, garden and site must be a unit, as if one could not have been conceived without the others. Being true to his word, he terraced the land around the house, seven terraces in all, with the house sitting on the third terrace. A parterre […]
This unique exotic garden is set in one of the most attractive areas of Ireland. Situated in the mild climate of Glengarriff in West Cork, you will find thirty different species of bamboo surrounded by palms and other tropical plants set amidst romantic paths and breathtaking views. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with delicious homemade cakes on the sunny […]
This most colourful garden is situated in the beautiful scenery of West Cork in the South-West of Ireland, with wonderful views west to the Shehy mountains and Nowen Hill. Over 1000 varieties of flowers ,shrubs and trees and bulbs can be seen. The staggering amount of beautiful flowers make this the ‘must see’ garden of West Cork. Briefly, the acre contains an informal […]
Mallow is spoilt by comparison to many towns in that it has two castles from which to choose. There is the Old Mallow Castle originally built by the Normans in 1185 A.D. and which was subsequently changed and enhanced over the centuries but was burnt down in 1689. Then there is the ‘New’ castle which dates from 1690! This is […]
Ballymaloe Cookery School & Gardens is one of the famous cookery schools in Ireland and is well worth stopping here for a night or two for a romantic break. There is a lot more here than the cookery school. Ballymaloe House and Gardens are situated in rolling countryside in East Cork near the small village of Shanagarry. The gardens which date […]
Gleninchaquin Park is an award winning family owned park and working sheep farm providing breath-taking landscapes and scenery in which it is a sheer delight to wander around over streams with log bridges, mountain paths with carved steps, through rock passages, along glens and lakes to higher altitude. Marvel at the view overlooking the lakes, delicate green meadows, a spectacular […]
Situated in Durrus, in scenic West Cork, Carraig Abhainn is a large garden [1 Hectare (2.5 acres)] bounded by a mill stream, giving this oasis a wonderful sense of peace and serenity. The mature trees along the river bank and the surrounding hills give very welcome shelter and protection for a wide variety of tender plants. The garden consists of […]
A sprawling 4 acre garden is remarkable as quoted my Jane Powers, a leading news correspondent for the Irish Times. It is enviably situated on a steep South facing slope, enclosed by woodland and with a view overlooking Cork Harbour and the Lee estuary and just a short drive from Cork City. It has two acres combining centuries of old […]
The Heritage Centre is located in the award winning, beautifully restored Old Gasworks Building, in Skibbereen, one of West Cork’s most picturesque towns. The centre offers insights in to some fascinating aspects of our history and local geography. The Great Famine Commemoration Exhibition This commemorates the tragic period in the 1840s that is known in Irish History as the Great […]
Glebe Gardens, Baltimore Directions During the summer, our restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 10pm. The menu changes daily depending on what is plentiful in the garden and in the sea. Fish is bought from the boats and the meat is sourced locally. Because of this we have a small but deliciously fresh menu that will suit […]
Killarney National Park is a unique and special place. Situated in south-west Ireland, close to the most westerly point in Europe, the National Park covers over 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of mountain, moorland, woodland, waterways, parks and gardens. The mountainous old red sandstone uplands support large areas of blanket bog, and the remoteness and relative inaccessibility of some of these […]
Rock Close has the enchantment of a fairy glade and in prehistoric times may well have been a place of Druidic worship. Here you can find an ancient sacrificial altar, a Druid’s Circle, a hermit’s cave, a witch’s kitchen, and wishing steps. Rare varieties of trees abound in this magical place and you feel you can float across the rustic […]
Welcome to Discovering Cork and thanks for considering Cork for your next short break or holiday. Whatever your reason for visiting we know you will not be disappointed and with Discovering Cork looking after everything, you can concentrate on enjoying your time here.
Discovering Cork is the Number 1 site for planning and booking holidays in Cork City & County. However, we can also assist with advice, planning and booking your holiday in many other parts of the country with a particularly strong focus on the entire South West.
...Read more
