Lisselan House, on the banks of the Argideen River was built in 1851/53 by William Bence-Jones in the French Chateau Style. The estate is a fascinating place to visit with stunning gardens a spectacular 9 hole golf course (said by some to be one of the most beautiful in the world!), rich angling opportunities and also the ancestral home of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Fota Wildlife Park was opened in 1983 by the then President of Ireland, Dr. Patrick Hillery, and is a joint project of the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork. In 2009 Fota Wildlife Park introduced Ireland’s wildest events calendar GO WILD @ FOTA with different events each month including Workshops, Activity Camps, The Cheetah Run Road Race, Music, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Fota’s arboretum and gardens located next to Fota Wildlife Park are what they are today thanks to the Smith-Barry family who recognised the significance of Fota’s sheltered location and warm soil – “Fota” is derived from the Irish “Fód te” meaning warm soil – perfect for the growing and cultivation of rare trees and exotic plants. While Fota House was […]
Cois Cuain (pronounced coosh cuann), a garden as close to the sea as it is possible to get without becoming a boat. (Cois Cuain Garden is entirely within 30m of the sea). The garden is situated on the northern shore of Dunmanus Bay near Bantry. It has many rare Southern Hemisphere plants, as well as hardy wind and salt resistant […]
The Gearagh near Macroom is the remains of the only ancient post glacial alluvial forest in Western Europe. It was formed at the end of the last Ice Age and consists of a vast area of submerged islands that once supported a rich woodland flora. It gets its name from “An Gaoire”, the wooden river. In 1987 the area was […]
Kinsale Garden of Remembrance is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Michael Judge, Chaplain in the New York Fire Department and to the 343 brave fire fighters, who so courageously lost their lives in New York on September 11th 2001. The Kinsale Garden of Remembrance was initiated by Kathleen Murphy, a nurse in New York City. She was born in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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