Flying into Cork Airport allows you to not only visit the beautiful cosmopolitan city of Cork, but to also explore the wild nature and coastline of Southern Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Cork – Something for everyone
The city of Cork sits on an island with bridges spanning the river, giving the city a continental air.
You could easily spend a week just exploring this wonderful city and nearby areas, taking in the Cathedral and ancient churches or experiencing the numerous museums, festivals and galleries. You can even visit the famous Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, to give it a kiss and be forever graced with the gift of eloquence!
Staying within the city, the River Lee Hotel (www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-river-lee-hotel) provides city centre luxury, offering fantastic food options, spa and swimming facilities and easy access for many of Cork’s main attractions.
If you’d prefer to stay just outside of the city, the Fota Island Resort (www.fotaisland.ie) offers the usual spa and golf alongside adventure packages. If you fancy an adrenaline rush from onsite kayaking, SUPing, obstacle courses or even bushcraft, this is the place to do it!
Eating out in the city is an experience in itself, with traditional Irish food sitting alongside Asian, Mediterranean and gastro pubs, amongst many others.
Out of the City…and into the wild
Leaving Cork, you are soon able to experience the beauty of County Cork and the surrounding area.
The Munster Vales (www.munstervales.com) links the four counties of Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Tipperary and offers outdoor activities over mountain ranges, coastal and rural towns and villages, and numerous heritage and cultural attractions. For walking, cycling and angling, this area of Ireland cannot be beaten!
The Haven Coast
Situated in County Cork and only a half an hour drive or bus journey from Cork Airport, Kinsale was once a Viking trading post and medieval fishing port. It marks a great place to start the journey along the southernmost stretch of Ireland and is famous for whale-watching, its golf course and its gourmet restaurants.
From here, the Wild Atlantic Way zigzags along the Haven Coast, providing the opportunity to beachcomb, sail or simply enjoy a drink and lunch in one of the many pubs along the way. Historical sites are dotted the coast, islands to explore and countless walks to experience.
Venture a little further…
Driving along the Haven Coast into County Kerry provides some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland, and it has a lot of competition! Only an hour and a half drive from Cork Airport, the coastline of the Southern Peninsulas combines wild seas, cliffs and rocky outcrops with beautiful surf beaches where you can paddle-board with dolphins.
While there is plenty to do during the day, there is just as much to explore at night, whether it’s listening to traditional Irish live music, ceili dancing or Michelin-star dining.
Southern Ireland has some of the best star-gazing in Europe and Southwest Kerry is a designated International Dark-Sky Reserve, offering spectacular views of the Milky Way at night.
Whether it’s trying an astronomy class in Waterville or taking part in a night-time kayak under the stars on Lough Hyne in West Cork, there are fewer better ways to make the most of every second of your holiday!
More information:
Flights from Cornwall Airport Newquay to Cork are available with www.aerlingus.com
For information on Cork www.cork.ie
To discover the different parts of the Wild Atlantic Way www.wildatlanticway.com
