Page 76 - The Drivers Guide 2019

The Driver's Guide
TOP HIGHLIGHT
BLARNEY CASTLE AND STONE
JN 18 (R639 AND N20) TOWARDS BLARNEY
25 min from exit
Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, and home to the world famous ‘Blarney Stone’. Though earlier fortifications were built here, the current castle dates from 1446. Now a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements, at the top of the castle lies the ‘Stone of Eloquence’, better known as the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the “gift of the gab”.
Extensive gardens surround the castle with paths touring the grounds, which include a poison garden with a number of poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricin and opium, as well as cannabis. Blarney House, also open to the public and within the estate grounds, is a Scottish baronial- style mansion that was built in 1874.
FOTA ISLAND WILDLIFE PARK AND RESORT
FOTA ISLAND, CARRIGTWOHILL, COUNTY CORK
Fota island, situated in Cork Harbour, just north of the larger island of Great Islandis host to Ireland’s only wildlife park – as well as the historical Fota House and gardens and golf course. The wildlife Park and conservation centre, featuring a range of creatures from around the globe, is one of Ireland’s most enduring visitor attractions since opening in 1983.
www.fotawildlife.ie www.fotaisland.ie
COBH
EXITING M8 (N25)
18 min from end of M8
Located 15km south-east of Cork, Cobh is a picturesque hilly town, full of old time charm, history and elegant buildings. It was called Queenstown for a few decades before reverting to its Irish name in 1922.
Its harbour is one of the largest and safest harbours, and capable of taking the largest vessels afloat. For many years Cobh was the point of departure for hundreds of thousands of Irish people who emigrated from Ireland to build a new life, especially in the Great Famine years of 1844-48.
On the quayside, there is a memorial to victims of the Lusitania, a ship that was sunk off Kinsale in 1915 by a German submarine with a great loss of life. In 1912, Cobh (while it was still called Queenstown) was the last port of call of Titanic on her fateful maiden voyage.
Elsewhere in the town you can find the beautiful St Colman’s Cathedral and its 49 carillons; Cobh, the Queenstown Story, a sensational interactive museum; Cobh Museum and the Titanic trail walking tour.
FRANCISCAN WELL BREWERY
14, NORTH MALL, SUNDAY’S WELL, CORK
The Franciscan Well Brewery has established itself over the years as one of the must visit pubs in Cork City. Apart from the curious fact that it is sitting on the site of a 13th century monastery, the pub was also one of the first to start brewing its own craft beers.
These same beers can now be found across many of the most popular venues throughout Cork City & County.
They also run a popular Brewery Tour and Tasting session which is really popular amongst tourists & locals alike
and takes place each evening at 6.30pm. It takes approximately 1.5 hours in length with 45 minutes spent in the brewery where the brewing process is outlined and the group are introduced to the facility. Following this the group are given a tasting tutorial in our tasting room and provided with samples of Franciscan Well beers.
www.franciscanwellbrewery.com
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
CORK CITY
EXITING M8 (N40)
20 min from end of M8
The English Market Cork
The English Market opened for business in August 1788. The French Revolution was then still a year in the future and George Washington had not yet become the first president of the USA. This is a six-day covered market and has operated on this site for 230 years.
Long recognised by locals as a place to meet, eat and shop, the English Market offers tourists and locals alike a tantalising range of Irish food under this one historical roof.
Every ingredient is from local shores and some from further afield, combined with long standing family-run stalls contribute to the unique appeal and atmosphere of the market.
74 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST