We got married in The Rectory in March of this year having set the date for our big last September…read more Although this may be seen as short notice we can safely say that having the knowledgeable and helpful staff (Michelle & Nicola) on hand to advise us made the planning process VERY straightforward. The setting itself is so unique and food on the day was absolutely gorgeous. We opted for the 'Mad Hatters Tea Party' and a selection of canapes on arrival (the chicken satay is to die for!) and then sat down for a mouthwatering five course meal. The day went flawlessly and although the weather was a little bit against us (when isn't it?) it took nothing away from the day whatsoever. We can't recommend The Rectory enough - a huge thank you to all the staff for making our wedding day such a memprable occasion.

From the owner: The Rectory, is a Chic Boutique Seaside Country House in West Cork for Private Events. Catering to…read moreoutdoor Garden Seaside Ceremonies, Weddings & Dinner Parties with multiple packages to choose from including weddings under €5900 for 80 guests in 2013 including exclusive use with no venue hire! * Full Day Sit Down Dinner & Wedding 45-120/140 guests * Midweek Informal BBQ/Buffet 45-150 guests * Evening Cocktail 75-200 guests * Onsite Midweek Ceremony 25-200 guests The Rectory is located in a delightful early 19th Century residence. It is nestled in a woodland setting overlooking the scenic West Cork harbour of Glandore, one of Ireland's most beautiful sea inlets. The Rectory is a unique family run business set apart from the typical venue in that it is primarily a private family home but opens it's doors for for special events. It has all the charms of a Seaside Country House & advantages of a hotel but none of the disadvantages with no ties or impositionsto accommodation. Call NOW!!

We didn't stay here but enjoyed a wonderful dinner. The interior is quite nice. We were in the main…read moredining room which is a little fancy but it was totally acceptable to be casually dressed, as we were and all the other diners. The food was fresh and well prepared and creatively presented. The desserts were particularly wonderful! The staff was friendly. Great meal!

Ignore the old reviews; this hotel is under new ownership and is being completely revamped. The…read morerenovation is not quite done but there are improvements everywhere. The hotel sits right on the Glengariff harbor; the front-facing rooms all have wonderful views. The rooms are good-sized but perhaps a little spartan. Eccles has recently opened a spa with three treatment rooms and a so-called relaxation room overlooking Bantry Bay. Treat yourself! You can enjoy a drink or a snack on the front porch or a casual dinner in the Harbor Bar. But go to dinner at Garinish Restaurant -- *especially* if Eddie Attwell is around. Eddie is a superstar in the garden and in the kitchen but he's low-key about his accolades. Better yet, he's over-the-top friendly and fun to chat with. We've been lucky enough to have 7 or 8 different dishes that Eddie prepared, including several that weren't on the menu. All were memorable. One of my favorites was a simple but extraordinary beetroot salad with creamy Irish blue cheese. I enjoyed my first ever buckwheat risotto. And the desserts! The brownie made with a beer stout -- more please. It's too bad that Eddie is 5000 miles away. I'd be eating there all of the time.

Sumptuous food, really tasty and versatile for a family luncheon. And the service was first class,…read morein fact world class. I do not use these terms lightly. Staff was polite efficient and sensitive to our needs. The setting is beautiful too. The gardens are worth a walk in after your meal.

From the owner: Fernhill is a beautiful country house full of Irish charm and interesting stories. It is run by the…read morefourth generation of the O'Neill family at Fernhill who provide the very best in Irish hospitality. The mansion house is perched on a hill overlooking the rolling green hills where Ireland's greatest hero Michael Collins was born. Offering a true escape away to nature, at Fernhill House the sounds of traffic are replaced by bird song and the rustle of ancient trees. Instead of crowds, there are the plants that make up our wonderful wild Irish garden. Lose yourself at Fernhill and discover tranquillity. The charming town of Clonakilty is a short walk from Fernhill. It is famous for its welcoming locals and nightly traditional Irish music sessions. Fernhill has won many awards for its service and Fernhill offers a true taste of Ireland with its own natural spring water bottled onsite, kitchen garden and foraged produce. The O'Neill's will look after you as if you are part of the family.

This was a blast, and I'm so glad our tour bus stopped here!…read more Yes, it was a long walk up the hill, and yes, it was pretty cold and windy up there, but the entertainment value of this spectacle was worth it. We enjoyed a 30-minute demonstration of dog handling skills as a local sheep-farmer and his two Border Collies worked their magic for our viewing pleasure. We saw these two incredibly trained dogs race up a steep hill into an upper meadow, round up a herd of sheep, escort them as they raced down the hill, and then paraded them around a fenced area right in front of us. It was incredibly entertaining! Other sights on the farm complex are a petting zoo and some serious artifacts- old famine cottages.

I came across this little spot while wandering Cork today. They were closed today so I didn't get…read moreto go inside but I did hang out outside for a bit. It was nice to take a load off and just relax even if it was loud by the street. The building is a deconsecrated church-turned-cafe with a little patio out front with seating. Since I didn't get to go inside there's not much to say, but I did appreciate the architecture.

I highly recommend coming here to see the exhibition on the history of Cork…read moreAbsolutely fascinating. While here treat yourself to a cup of coffee. The barista here is incredible

Well where to begin, perhaps at the bottom of, what seems like, the mile long drive up to the…read morehotel. Watch out for the speed bumps!! The hotel/resort is set on an actual island. Attached to the hotel is the Forta Golf course, which I was told has hosted some major golf tournaments. There is a wildlife park, tennis courts, football training pitches and the island even has its own train station. There are several trails which you can walk or run around, if you are that way inclined. The island is very green and picturesque, the sun rise is particularly good if you have one of the front facing bedrooms. The bedrooms are very well appointed with all the bits you would expect, large bed, desk area, sofa chairs and ample wardrobe space if you have lots of clothes to store. The hotel staff could not do more for you. Yes I know it is the service industry but they all seemed genuinely happy to help, even with very very mundane things. Now I was there over a weekend and they had one wedding party on the Friday and one in the Saturday night, if you are staying on the 1st floor you will hear the music into the early hours, be warned. The food was ok, although we were stuck on the tournament menu which was not very good but looking at the food served to other guests it looked good. They have a very good bar with good bar staff, plenty of Irish whiskey's to sample. Our Irish counter parts were in there one night until 5am!! A good venue with high quality accommodation. Would definitely come back here.

Popped in with 2 friends for coffee and pastries. All I can say is that is exactly what I would…read morerecommend to do ther . Soooooo Chilled and comfortable, you could spend hours sitting, relaxing and catching up with friends in lovely luxurious surroundings. Plenty of easy parking also

Five stars! I was at Ballinacurra House for a wedding, and it was magical. Elaine seemed to be in…read morecharge of the event, and not only was she entirely accommodating but she remembered every guest by name! Kinsale is known as the 'foodie' center of Ireland, and between the trad Irish breakfast to the fine fare at the wedding itself it proved to be true. Beautiful grounds, well appointed private and public rooms, and attentive staff-great mix. In my party was a wheelchair bound gal, and they couldn't have made it easier for us-Declan was handy with ramps to help her get around the building (although she took her breakfast in her room).

Came here for a friends wedding and it was the most perfect experience. They said that they were…read moresold on the place from when they first went to look and it was easy to see why. The staff were great and providing things we didn't know we wanted (i.e., soup). The landscape was amazing and there was so much exploring for those to do who were not in the wedding. The rooms were all lovely and each had their own charm.

Shivering cold and wet, a heavy Irish mist prevailed over my Banana Republic rain slicker. Such a…read moredistance was not anticipated. Sure I had tourist maps, and county maps; truth is, I was naive to the amount of adventure I could handle. The last bus for Dingle had left minutes ago. Weathered by loneliness in a foreign land, I made the fateful decision to walk from Tralee Co. Kerry, to Dingle, forty-seven miles away. A lone petrol station; "You're lucky I'm here, I was just about to shut down," said the petrol station attendant. Unfortunately, he could not give me a ride and added, "you'll be lucky if someone sees you, if anyone passes you by." He was right, the sky was black, I could only see a few meters in front of me. Discouraged, I continued on, ready to hold my thumb out for the next passerby. Every five-minutes, then ten-minutes, until no cars passed for forty-five minutes. Eventually luck returned, a couple in their early 20's on their way to dingle offered me a ride. Turns out the petrol station attendant let them know I was looking for a ride, if they hadn't known I was out there they would not have seen me, it was just too dark. Never was a bed more comfortable! -Once a Hunting Lodge in the 1700's, the Ballintaggart Hostel is now a gorgeous hostel that accommodates over 100 guests and has double occupancy rooms available per. There is also a camping site for R/V's and tents on the property, which I cannot rate since I stayed in the dorm lodging.