Day Tripping from Cork City

Day Tripping from Cork City

by Deirdre Murray

Take advantage of car hire and explore Cork!

County Cork (nicknamed the 'Rebel County') is the most southwesterly of Ireland's counties and is often hailed by locals as the 'real capital' of Ireland. The most southwesterly of Ireland's counties, Cork is crammed with tourist attractions and activities that have seen it evolve into, and remain, one of Ireland's most visited counties.

While the city attracts its fair share of the tourist trade, being a major cultural centre with a really rather astounding festival/event calendar, there is also a tremendous choice of small towns, villages, parks, beaches and attractions throughout the county that makes an ideal place to explore in the comfort of a rental car.

Thrifty travelers with a budget in mind can enjoy Cork just as easily as those with money to burn - the high quality and low cost accommodation, food and attractions that are offered throughout the county means that a cheap holiday needn't be a drag.

The following are some of the top excursions in and around Cork;

· Fota Wildlife Park
Just 10 miles from Cork along the Cobh Road is Fota Wildlife Park, a wonderful wildlife park with a strong emphasis on conservation and endangered species protection. Over 90 different exotic and threatened species populate the park, in conditions as close to their natural habitat as possible. Monkeys shriek from the treetops, giraffe, zebra and antelope amble around the 40 acres of grassland - only the cheetahs have a conventional enclosure.

Various amenities and attractions within the park include picnic benches (ideal for low cost lunching), a coffee chop, a tour train, free playgrounds, a Serengeti gift shop, a restaurant, public feeding times and some comprehensive education programmes tailored to children.

Admission is cheap at just €12.50 for adults. Children pay less for entry, and there are special discounts and deals available for families and group admission.

· Blarney Castle and Grounds
It's kitsch, clichéd and done to death, but what trip to County Cork would be complete without a tour to kiss the world-famous Blarney Stone? Legend has it that the gift of the gab will be bestowed upon anyone who ventures to kiss the stone, and every year, tourists arrive in their droves to test the theory. Blarney Castle is home to the celebrated Stone of Eloquence, and while many come for the stone, it is often the castle and its beautiful surrounding gardens that they stay for.

Another thrifty treat for the budget traveler, entrance to the Blarney Castle and Gardens is a snip at just €8 for adults with discount rates for students and seniors. Children pay less again, and there is a low cost of admission for families. A short 8km drive from Cork city will bring you to the Castle, with the drive from Cork Airport being just a little further.

· Kinsale
Kinsale is an attractive and vibrant town lying just 29km south of Cork City. There are a myriad of reasons to include Kinsale on your itinerary if you are visiting Cork, among them the rich heritage, wonderful sporting facilities and activities, and superb dining. Yachting, Dolphin & Whale Watching Expeditions and Sea Angling are all sea-based activities that have made Kinsale a popular and famous tourist destination. While they don't necessarily come cheap, for those with a keen interest they are worth factoring into even the strictest of budgets.

Golfing is another serious pastime in Kinsale, with the superb Kinsale Golf Club attracting a great number of golf-enthusiasts to the region. Greens fees are €50 on Saturday and Sundays, and for those thrifty travelers looking to pay less, prices are cheaper midweek.

Kinsale is also famous for its gourmet food and the sense of pride that its chefs have in their cuisine. A trip to Kinsale is bound to include a really memorable meal - be sure to sample some seafood fresh from one of West Corks many fertile harbours.

· Barleycove
The extreme southern town of Barleycove in Cork not only enjoys a picturesque landscape and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere, but also boasts one of the finest beaches in Cork, if not in all of Ireland. A trip here from Cork City means venturing a little further afield than a trip to our other featured locations, but the 80km are unquestionably worth driving, particularly for beach bums in the summer months.

A weekend may be more advisable than a day trip, particularly once you see the range of sports, activities and excursions offered in the area. The Barleycove holiday park is situated near the beach and provides caravan accommodation that may suit tight budgets. It has a number of tourist-oriented facilities and amenities such as babysitting, bbq sites, and a mini-market. Alternatively, the area is rife with low cost B&B accommodation and affordable hotels and guesthouses.