My wife and I arrived as part of our Enchanting Ireland tour. It was a beautiful day for touring…read morethe entire grounds which is what we opted to do. The other choice was to get on a one-way line (45-90 min wait) to climb the steps in the Blarney Castle to the Blarney Stone to be held by your legs upside down backwards just to kiss the stone and gain the "gift of gab". Sorry--- not worth my time. Once on the line, you can't turn back. Instead we toured the wonderful gardens including the poisonous and carniverous plants. Very cool. We also went to the lakehouse area and saw a newborn colt with its mom by the pasture where you can find horses, cattle and sheep. We didn't go into the Blarney House which is where the owner currently resides and looks more like a modern day castle. There was a cost to enter, but we didn't have enough time for the tour. They have a couple of snack foods areas as well as gift shops and toilets. They're very well staffed and self funded to preserve this great piece of history.

I came on a very rainy day and was initially concerned that the Blarney Stone would be closed, but…read morewas informed at the entrance/ticketing booth that the line was actually very short at the time of my visit because of the hard rain, so it was actually a blessing in disguise. On my way up, I saw signs that indicated the approximate wait time from certain spots in line which reminded me of amusement park rides. I appreciated that the line up to the top isn't just a line, but an opportunity to check out different sections of the castle and read the informational plaques on your way up. The stairwells are narrow, steep and definitely not appropriate for those that are mobility impaired. The actual kissing of the stone was very quick and honestly I felt pressured to get in and out because the employees looked miserable in the heavy rain and would just shout "next!" after each person. I couldn't even reach the stone! But at least I got some photos (you are allowed to take photos on your own camera, but you can purchase the "official" photos at the end too). The official photos are quite grainy and also expensive, so I opted out. Overall, if you're visiting Blarney Castle & Gardens just to kiss the stone, the steep admission price (not including the paid parking) may not be worth the stop. However, the grounds includes many other attractions besides the castle, including plenty of walking trails, a Poison Garden, and even a cave. I came towards the end of the day and the rain was nonstop, so I only got to check out some of the other attractions, though I would've stayed a lot longer under better circumstances.

If you are in Cork and have access to a car, you might as well head to Kinsale. The small port and…read morefishing town has many pubs, craft and photography shops and is popular with tourists. After driving about 15 kilometers you will see a long hill and on the very top, a ruined castle. If you go up walking through the grass heading to the right side, you will be amazed by the view of the cliffs, the noise of the waves smashing the rocks and the smell of fresh air. And this view is completely free! The only problem is a big closed gate, which belongs to a golf course built some years ago that still raises protests as a big part of the land was made private.

Beautiful course and an even better view…read more We stopped by for lunch and to admire the course. One of our group had played before and had to tell us the stories. We ate lunch in the clubhouse and had a fine selection of food. Service was great and the menu was well thought out. I would give them 5 stars but I got food poisoning from the oysters I ate there. After a long night I made it on my flight to Scotland with cold sweats and a green face. I was surprised somewhere this nice had bad shellfish. I'll go back again...but will mind the shellfish.

I went here over the weekend with my girlfriend as she had never been and I hadn't been there since…read moreI was a child. Lovely spot on a sunny day with amazing views. It is a pity that they now have a wooden built door to keep you from entering the building side of things, as when I was younger we could simply walk into it, but I assume with health and safety it isn't possible to leave it open plan for people to wonder around. You can carry on walking around the fields to see more great views of Charles Fort or the marina. There also is a beach very close by if you fancy dipping your feet. Nice way to spend a half hour

CUSTOM HOUSE Cork Harbour, one of the biggest natural…read moreharbours in the world, is controlled by the Port of Cork who operate out of the historic Custom House, built just before the north and south channels of the River Lee join on their way to Cobh and the ocean. Built towards the end of the 19th century (design by William Hargrave), the Custom House was taken over by the Port of Cork (then the Harbour Commissioners) in 1904 (on a 999 year lease). The vaults are used by the Cork Bonded Warehouse and it is here that wines and spirits are stored, released only to the importer when the appropriate tax has been paid to the revenue. No drinks on offer during my latest visit, as part of the national heritage day. Been there before as the rooms are often used for meetings e.g. Labour Court reconciliations etc. There are some fine rooms here, particularly the boardroom, which dates from early in the 20th century: very impressive dark wood on the walls, patterned ceiling and a line-up of red chairs (photo). The committee room was also open to the public who were also able to view an impressive collection of art. Very enjoyable visit and another one worth making is to the Port of Cork website. This is full of information about boats and ships coming and going. Much of it is geared towards commercial users but the general public can also find valuable information here. Want to know which cruise liner is in Cobh today? Then get on to the site below. Do you know where the Millennium Gardens are? Find out here. http://www.portofcork.ie/ +353 21 4273125

We had a marvellous time aboard the 'Spirit of Kinsale'! The departure point is found not far from…read morethe tourist office. It was a very pleasant, professionally run, trip around the harbour and beyond, with a great commentary of what to look out for, the history of the area, and there were wonderful views too. The boat was comfortable and not overcrowded. Also, Kinsale is twinned with Mumbles, which is near to where we live in Wales so we were particularly interested to come here.

This is as much a review of a walking tour around historic Kinsale, Cionn tSáile, and the famous…read morepromontory The Old Head of Kinsale, as it is for it's friendly tourist office. Housed in an imaginatively designed modern structure, it manages not to look out of place with the towns vast majority of pretty heritage buildings, and is situated on what was the original quayside of this once important garrison town. I'd come on the 249 bus the 27km from Cork, as I wanted for personal reasons to make a pilgrimage to the Old Head of Kinsale, where within sight of land in 1915, a tragic sinking close to the scale of loss of life on The Titanic took place, more about this at the end! Suffice to say I'd called in the Tourist Office essentially for information on how a non-car driver might get there. The staff were helpful beyond the call of duty, and although as you will see despite the best advice, and considerable effort, I was eventually thwarted in my attempts to get there, they told me about a local historian & guide called Dermot. Dermot Ryan as well as conducting a regular early evening walking tour around the atmostpheric narrow & winding hilly streets, starting from the tourist office, is an absolute gold mine of information. Like the best tour guides I have listened to, he never feels the need to over sell his subject, and has a wonderfully subtle delivery that leaves you hanging on his every word, and wanting more. He takes small groups around the historic town, telling you about everything from Spanish allies helping the locals to fight the English, through wine trade in what was once one of the most important harbours in Europe. Even the 'Kinsale cloak', a famous hooded cloak worn by local ladies from medieval to more recent times, puts in a humorous appearance, with remembrance of the women who wore them being the feared hoodies of their day!. All the time Dermot compellingly managed to put little old Kinsale right in the heart of much bigger history. Dermot was very pleased I asked him about RMS Lusitania, once the worlds largest liner, which brings us neatly back to The Old Head of Kinsale! It was within easy sight of here on a bright sunny afternoon in May that the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat, and took just 18 minutes to disappear beneath the calm waters, robbing 1198 men, women & children of their lives. There is a memorial to this tragic event close to the R604. Sadly however this is no easy place to get to get to, particularly if you don't have a car for the around 13km journey from Kinsale. Anyway the day I chose to get a taxi to view the memorial, the road was closed. Also after I'd settled on walking, it seemed that the elements in the form of an incredibly strong & long lasting downpour of rain, were conspiring to keep me away. Next time remind me to bring a bike & oilskins! Controversially this beautiful headland point which stretches out into the sea for almost 2 miles, complete with it's dramatically situated lighthouse is now dominated by Irelands costliest Golf Course. Here non members are denied access, although the Golf Courses website tauntingly boasts of it's beautiful natural habitat & perfect vantage point for viewing Whales & Dolphins. Another reason why I hate golf!

DRAKE'S POOL You will pass Drake's Pool, a scenic part of…read morethe estuary, on the road from Carrigaline to Crosshaven. There is a car park nearby so you can stretch your legs and take in the pleasant view of the historic spot. Apparently, in 1589 or thereabouts (you will see other dates, though 1589 is the one on the nearby commemorative plaque), Sir Francis Drake (1540-96) was being pursued by elements of the Spanish Armada who chased him into Cork Harbour. But the Spaniards didn't have the local knowledge and sailed past the Crosshaven estuary and up towards the city instead. They missed Drake and his handful of sheltering ships and sailed out again. The relieved Englishman allowed a few days to elapse before venturing back to the open sea. It must have been a nervous time but today the location is all about relaxation, plenty of seats around the modest tree lined "pool" and many pleasure craft bobbing at anchor with not a care in the world.

I know it's unfair to compare this to other jail tours in Ireland but it's really hard not to. The…read morearchitecture was gorgeous but the history was all quite surface level. I do appreciate them trying something different in tackling the stories of the jail and its prisoners.

This is a gem that all must visit. And take the guided tour!!! Rory was a great tour guide and…read moredidn't even feel like an hour plus had gone by. Fiona was always very nice and informative at the gift shop. Don't be deterred during the winter time, just dress in some layers and enjoy the ambience of the space!

Free admittance with a free guided tour through the castle - and in my opinion although smaller,…read moreBarryscourt is way better than Blarney. Our tour guide was excellent and very informative. The castle has been (and continues to be) restored so you get to see each floor as it might have been not just stone rooms without floors like at Blarney. There's a lovely small garden and an orchard within the walls. Close to Fota House and Gardens this is an excellent stop while you're in the area and you can make a full day out of it by also visiting Fota. Fota Gardens and Arboretum are also free.

BARRYSCOURT CASTLE Paid my first visit in decades to…read moreBarryscourt Castle, an impressive relic of the 16th century court of the Barry family. Impressive enough as a stark ruin in the 80s but now it's much improved and well worth a visit, particularly since there is no charge at all, and that includes the guided tour of the interior. Time was short yesterday so we contented ourselves with a walk around the outside of the castle itself, through the herb garden and a large orchard. There are records of an orchard there since the 13th century and this one, with dozens of apple varieties, is laid out according to the 16th century manner. There are smaller plantings of pears and quinces. There is an information office with very helpful and friendly staff, toilets and a cafe and it is just off the main national road (N25). It is a very pleasant visit indeed and I'll be back for a longer stay, perhaps during Heritage Week which takes place in venues across the country from August 21st. Most events are free to enter, some have reduced charges. This is one of many available. See the Heritage Ireland site http://www.heritageireland.com or pick up the comprehensive National Heritage Week brochure at your local library. http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/BarryscourtCastle/ Tel: +353 21 488 3864