To do and See
NAME: FOTA WILDLIFE PARK
Address: Carrigtwohill, Co Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4812678
email: info@fotawildlife.ie
Web: www.fotawildlife.ie
Description:
Located just off the main road to Cobh, 10 km from Cork City, this Park was established in 1983 and has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings, with no obvious barriers. Giraffes, zebras, ostrich and antelope roam together in 40 acres of grassland, much as they would in the African Savannah. Monkeys swing through trees on the lakes, and kangaroos, macaws and lemurs have complete freedom of the Park. Facilities at Fota Wildlife Park include Playgrounds, Awacachi Tour Train, Picnic & Rest Areas, Serengetti Gift Shop and Oasis Restaurant. Feeding Times: most animals require feeding twice daily you can see our wardens feeding them early morning and late afternoon
Opening times:
Fota Wildlife Park will not be open on Christmas Day or St. Stephens Day. Opening hours: Spring/Summer Opening Times (From March 17th to October 29th) Mon to Sat: OPEN 10am LAST ADMISSION 5pm GATES LOCKED 6pm Sun: OPEN 11am LAST ADMISSION 5pm GATES LOCKED 6pm Autumn/Winter Opening Times (From October 30th to March 16th) Mon to Sat: OPEN 10am LAST ADMISSION 3.30pm GATES LOCKED 4.30pm Sun: OPEN 11am LAST ADMISSION 3.30pm GATES LOCKED 4.30pm
Facilities:
Education programmes include NEW conservation courses. Special Children's events include Easter Bunny Activity Days, Summer Camps, Summer Safari Days, Halloween Activity Days and not forgetting the new Giant Giraffe Slide
Tours:
Guided tours available for groups, booking essential. Group rates available for parties of 20 or more. The rates are: Full Rate: Adults €11.50 Children Seniors & Students €7.00 Fota Group Rate (2 Adults & 4 Children) €45.00 Group Rate Adults €9.50 Children Seniors & Students €6.00 Tour Train One Way Trip €1.00
Location: Carrigtwohill: 3 miles
Name: Perk Entertainment Centre
Seafield,
Youghal,
East Cork.
Tel: +353 024 92438
Fax: 024 93523
Web: perksfunfair.com
Contact Us: perkie@iol.ie
Opening Details
Open 364 days a year Mid-June, July, August: 12 till late Other Months*: 2pm till late *some rides/activities are not available everyday. Telephone to confirm
Facilities
We cater for birthday parties, corporate outings, fundraisers, leagues and school tours. Special group rates available. Catering/Shopping Fast Food Restaurant Novelty Gift Shop
Open 364 days a year Mid-June, July, August: 12 till late Other Months*: 2pm till late *some rides/activities are not available everyday. Telephone to confirm
Facilities
Name: Trabolgan Holiday Village
Whitegate,
Midleton
Tel: 00 353 21 4661551
Fax: 21 4661698
Web: trabolgan.com
Contact us: sean.woodgate@trabolgan.com
Description:
Situated on a picturesque 140-acre estate in beautiful East Cork, Trabolgan Holiday Village is well known for its magical surroundings and excellent facilities. Trabolgan has 172 Self Catering houses and Apartments, A Touring Caravan Park with 35 sites, and when you book with us, the price you pay includes the use of the Sub Tropical Wave Pool, Live Entertainment Venues, Kids Clubs, 18 hole pitch & putt, Crazy golf, 3 kids play areas, Badminton and Tennis Courts, Astroturf Soccer Pitch and Sports Hall
Facilities:
Also available on a pay as you go basis: Trabolgan Adventure Sports, Go-Kart Tracks, Fitness Room and Beauty / Relaxation Rooms, Arcade. Trabolgan is not only a great holiday destination but also welcomes Day Visitors throughout the year.
Name: Leahy’s Open Farm
Description:
At Leahy’s, we cater for all age groups, from feeding and interacting with lots of different animals like lambs, horses, rabbits, reindeer and mice to racing around in our large outdoor Go Kart track. You can also see how people lived in bygone days by wondering around our museum section. In all, it’s a truly unique experience not to be missed while visiting East Cork.
Facilities:
Large Coffee Shop (all Home baking) Large Indoor and Outdoor Play areas, Farm Museum, Indoor and Outdoor Go Karting Tracks, Maze and Leprechauns!!
Opening Details
Open all year around
NAME: THE DONKEY SANCTUARY
Address: Knockardbane, Liscarroll, Mallow, Co Cork
Tel: 022 48398
email: donkey@indigo.ie
Web: www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
Contact: Paddy Barrett
Opening times: Monday to Friday; 9.00 to 16.30 Saturday/Sunday/Bank Holidays; 10.00 to 17.00
Location: Mallow: 15 miles
Approx. 2000 donkeys rescued from all over Ireland. Grants permanent peace, freedom, care and protection.
NAME: COBH - THE QUEENSTOWN STORY
Address: Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh, Co Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4813591
email: info@cobhheritage.com
Web: www.cobhheritage.com
Contact : Ruth McCarthy
Opening times: Open all year; Daily – 10.00 to 18.00 (Last admission 17.00)
Location: Cobh
A dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh, a unique Irish port town, which recalls the many historic events associated with the town.
NAME: FOTA HOUSE & GARDENS
Address: Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4815543
email: info@fotahouse.com
Web: www.fotahouse.com
Contact: Kay Ryan
Opening times: Opening Times Apr. 1 - Sept. 30 10.00 - 17.00 Mon. - Sat., 11.00 - 17.00 Sun. Oct. 1 - Mar. 31 11.00 - 16.00 daily. Opening times are subject to change. Please phone prior to visit for details.
Location: Carrigtwohill: 3 miles
Description:
Fota Island Co Cork – One of Ireland's Hidden Gems Fota House is Ireland’s finest example of regency architecture and is set in superb gardens and a world-renowned arboretum. Reflecting the life-style of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Fota House is a celebration of exquisite craftsmanship and has a particularly well appointed kitchen. Today visitors are welcomed to tour one Ireland’s great houses at their leisure and enjoy authentic country house fare in their traditional tearoom. The house also caters for private and corporate functions and is an attractive venue for concerts, business seminars and conferences.
Fota House was designed by the renowned Irish architect Richard Morrison and built in the early to mid 19th century by John Smith Barry. It is an important Regency style building which is now restored to its former grandeur for public usage.
NAME: BEAMISH & CRAWFORD BREWERY TOUR
Address: Beamish and Crawford Brewery, South Main Street, Cork
Suite. Tel: 00353 21 4911100
email: info@beamish.ie
Web: www.beamish.ie
Contact: Ray O’Rahilly
Opening times: May to September Tuesdays and Thursdays - Tours at 10.30 hrs and 12.00 hrs
Admission: Adults: €7 Students/Seniors: €5 Groups are advised to pre-book.
Location: Cork City Centre
A visit to the most ancient porter brewery in Ireland includes a video presentation, tour of the brewing facilities and a visit to the Beamish Hospitality
NAME: BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL & GARDENS
Address: Ballymaloe Cookery School and Gardens Shanagarry, Co. Cork
Tel: +353214646785
email: info@cookingisfun.ie
Web: www.cookingisfun.ie
Opening times: 9am-6pm Monday to Friday
Admission: Adults €5
Location: Shanagarry
NAME: STEPHEN PEARCE POTTERY & Gallery
Address: Shanagarry Co. Cork
Tel: 00 353 21 4646807
Fax: 21 4646706
Web: stephenpearce.com
Contact us: info@stephenpearce.com
Description: Stephen Pearce, the company, is situated in the village of Shanagarry, East Cork and employs in excess of 60 people. The company was originally set up by Stephen Pearce's parents Philip and Lucy in the 1950's with Stephen taking over in the early 1990's after a period of designing and learning the traditional craft in Ireland, England, France and Japan. Within Ireland Stephen Pearce is arguably now the number one designer tableware & gift wear brand enjoying a very strong, well known brand identity through Stephen himself and also through his muted, earthy, minimalist designs
Opening Details: Open all Year
NAME: CORK BUTTER MUSEUM
Address: Shandon, Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4300600
Fax: 00353 21 4309966
Contact: Peter Foynes
Opening times: May to September; Daily - 10.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 17.00 Groups can be accommodated either within or outside these hours.
Description:
Step back in time to see what 19th and early 20th century life was like inside and outside prison. The Radio Museum Experience deals with early Irish broadcasting and houses the RTE (national broadcasting company) national collection.
NAME: CORK CITY GAOL/RADIO MUSEUM EXPERIENCE
Address: Convent Avenue, Sundays Well, Cork.
Tel: 00353 21 4305022
email: corkgaol@indigo.ie
Web: www.corkcitygaol.com
Contact: Elizabeth Kearns
Opening: March to October; Daily - 09.30 to 17.00
November to March; Daily - 10.00 to 16.00
Group Reductions on request
Location: 2k n/w of Cork City Centre
Step back in time to see what 19th & early 20th century life was like in Cork-inside and outside the prison walls. See amazing figures, furnished cells and fascinating exhibitions. The Radio Museum Experience, now also open, deals with early Irish & international broadcasting and houses the RTE National Collection. A separate exhibition with discounted rates for those visiting both exhibitions.
NAME: CHURCH OF ST. ANNE¹S SHANDON & STEEPLE (2002 information)
Address: Shandon, Cork
Tel: 021 4505906
email: info@shandonbells.org
Web: www.shandonsteeple.com
Contact: Declan Kelly
Opening times: Easter – October Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 November – Easter Monday to Saturday 09:00 - 16:00 hrs. Groups rates available on request.
Location: Cork City Centre
One of Cork¹s best known landmarks containing the famous Shandon Bells which visitors may ring. Guided tours given on request for large groups.
NAME: ST. FIN BARRES CATHEDRAL
Address: Cathedral Office, Dean Street, Cork
Tel: 00353 4911100
email: cathedral@cork.anglican.org
Web: www.cathedral.cork.anglican.org
Contact: Ber Keenan
Opening times: Monday to Saturday; Summer - 10.00 to 17.30
Winter - 10.00 to 12.45 and 14.00 to 17.00
Admission: Recommended voluntary contribution €3.00
Location: Cork City Centre: .5 mile
For a guided tour of the Cathedral Tel: 021 4963387.
NAME: BARRYSCOURT CASTLE
Address: Carrigtwohill, Co Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4882218/4883864
email: charlesfort@ealga.ie
Web: www.heritageireland.ie
Contact: Evelyn Coleman/Noel Jameson
Opening times: June to September; Daily - 10.00 to 18.00 (Last admission 45 minutes before closing)
October to May - 11.00 to 17.00 (excluding Thursday)
Location: Carrigtwohill: 1 mile
A fine example of a 15th century tower house which should be viewed as a restoration in progress. Access by guided tour only.
NAME: OLD MIDLETON DISTILLERY
Address: Distillery Walk, Midleton, Co Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4613594
email: davidbyrne@idl.ie
Web: www.whiskeytours.ie
Contact: David Byrne
Opening times: March to October; Daily - 9.00 to 18.00 (Last tour commences 16.30)
November to February; Daily 09.00 to 18.00 tours at 11.30, 14.00, 16.00
Location: Midleton
Description:
Jameson Irish Whiskey is world renowned and its history can be traced on a guided tour of the Old Midleton Distillery. The Jameson tour commences with an informative audio-visual presentation. Guests, accompanied by a tour guide, then visit the historic and architecturally unique buildings - Mills, Malt Houses, Grain Stores, Stillhouses, Old Offices and Atmospheric Warehouses. Next it’s a visit to the Jameson bar for the now famous tutored whiskey tasting session. Perhaps be chosen to become a qualified Irish Whiskey taster!
NAME: BLARNEY CASTLE
Address: Blarney, Co Cork
Tel: 00353 21 4385252
email: enquiries@blarneycastle3de.com
Web: www.blarneycastle.ie
Contact: Mervyn Johnston
Opening times: Monday to Saturday; May & September - 09.00 to 18.30 June/July/August - 9.00 to 19.00
October to April - 9.00 to sundown or 18.00
Sunday; Summer - 09.30 to 17.30 Winter -09.30 to sundown
Location: Blarney
This historic Castle, situated in the village of Blarney, is world famous for the Blarney Stone which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it.
