East and Inland Cork Guide
Youghal's landmark - The Clock Gate
latest update March 2008
County Cork is the largest county in Ireland. This page intoduces you to two thirds of the county. Don't let the fact that these areas are off the main tourist trail put you off. There are the historic towns of East Cork, the majestic Blackwater Valley to the north and the scenic riches of inland West Cork, which are every bit as beautiful as the more visited coast. Cork City Area has its own page , as does the classic West Cork Coast route and the Beara Peninsula which is partly in county Kerry.
East Cork - Youghal to Cork City.
This is the only significant lowland area in the county. What this route lacks in scenic interest it makes up for in other ways. To the south there is a coastline with some fine beaches, especially at Ballycotton. At the eastern edge of the county Youghal is a significant historic late mediaeval town guarding the entrance to the Blackwater River. Youghal Visitors Centre on Market Square. The Clock Gate straddles the main road with an arch and four stories above that served as a jail. Historic buildings include Red House, the Alms Houses and Tynte's Castle. Vist 13th century St Mary's Collegiate Church where memorials tell much of the town's history, albiet from a protestant Anglo-Irish point of view. Take time to head up the side streets to see the old merchants' and seafarers' houses that overlook the sea above the bustle of the main road. Internet Cafe Cyberoom at 29 North Main Street 024 90539 Fox Lane Folk Museum charts the rise of the household gadget , open July to Sept execept Monday. Good News! forget old reports that the town is spoiled by busy traffic on the N25. It now has a bypass and some well earned peace and quiet.
Midleton is a pleasant market town and site of the main whiskey distillery in Ireland. Here several distillery's for different brands now stand side by side in a new complex. You van visit the place where Jameson's Whiskey used to be made: The Old Distillery Midleton. Entry includes a free shot of firewater. There is a good local music scene from Trad to R'n'B and classic rock. The Cobh area is on the Cork Area Guide page.
North Cork - the Blackwater Valley
Budget travellers rarely come here because of the lack of hostel accommodation, but it is well worth visiting and the size of many Irish counties in itself. The central feature is the broad majestic Blackwater Valley that sweeps for 80 km across the county. Heading westwards we begin at Fermoy, a small town on the main N8 Dublin Cork road with a pretty centre focused on the river. The valley is dotted with small pretty historic towns, often with significant medieval survivals and these begin with Glanworth and Castletownroche. Visit Mallow and you will wonder why more people don't come. Its a handsome town in 19th century gothick style. North is pretty Buttevant with ruins of a 13th centurny Fransiscan Abbey and Doneraille with its Forest Park. I can do no better than point you in the direction of www.morganaweb.net which will link you to the strange and wonderful goings on in this area.
We now enter the ancient kingdom of Dunhallow which extends over the boder into county Kerry. Banteer is a further 17km up the valley on the main N72 but Kanturk 5km further north is far more interesting. See the impressive ruins of the fortified house Kanturk Castle. Millstreet is the last small town on the Cork side of the Border which achieved fame when it hosted the Eurovision song contest in the mid 1990's. From here it's 33km to Killarney. The Country Park 2 km east of town on the edge of the Boggeragh Mountains is worth a visit with laid out gardens and extensive wildlife areas.
West from Cork City - The road to Killarney
Don't take the main N22, take the old R618 as it curves its way through the rolling hills around the River Lee. Macroom is a pleasant market town. An impressive gateway in the centre leads to the Castle Demense. To the south of the town the Geeragh is a nature reserve and last natural post glacial landscape survival in Europe. The N22 now heads up the narrower Sullane river valley to the Irish Speaking villages of Ballymakeery and Ballyvourney. The West Cork Gaeltacht is the least self conscious in Ireland and therefore the one most worth visiting. It extends from here south to Dunmanway. Much good music can be found in the village bars. Take the back road from Ballyvourney to Kenmare to visit Ireland's real highest Bar - The Top of Coom. Bad luck Johnny Foxes!
West from Cork City - Ballingeary and Beyond
Follow the route above until Macroom then stay in the Lee Valley by taking the R584. The upper River Lee is almost painfully pretty, especially when it widens into Lough Allua below the wild west Cork hills. Gougane Barra near Ballingeary is the west of Ireland's twin to Glendalough: a lake in a forested glacial valley. It is every bit as beautiful and far quieter. There are the remains of a early celtic monastery and a 100 year old chapel open to visit. From here a beautiful little pass through the Sheehy Mountains leads down towards Bantry Bay. On this road you will find the enterprising people of Future Forests, well worth a visit, even if just to look at the whacky organic style buildings.
West from Cork City - The Road to Bantry
The inland route to Bantry is less used than the coast road but well worth travelling. Take the main N71 out of Cork across rolling green hills and down to pretty Inishannon and 7 lovely kilometres in a tight valley by the River Bandon to Bandon town. Follow the River Bandon on the R586 to Dunmanway. This small market town in the West Cork Gaeltacht that is a gateway to the wild west Cork hills. From here several roads lead west. I would choose to head north west out of town towards the Cousane Gap and Bantry Bay.
