CORK CITY

We take you on a Tour of The English Market that is traced back to the time of King James in 1610 and trading since 1788. The late Queen Elisabeth 2nd visited this wonderful market in 2011. The superb Crawford Art Gallery featuring the works from the 18th century to the present. A visit to The Imperial Hotel and where Grace Kelly was a celebrated guest and take afternoon tea at The Sketch Restaurant. To Blarney & Gardens ( 8 kms from Cork City). This Historic Castle is the most famous for its Stone. The word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elisabeth 1st and is discussed as a pleasant talk intended to deceive without offending! The Gardens of 60 acres are a joy to explore – visit the prehistoric Fern Garden, a deadly poison Garden and the magical rock close with its ancient Yew trees and Druidic Stones.

We can tailor a trip for your Group to any scheduled destination, such as to The West Coast, to the stunning Beara Peninsular to the Ballylickey area with its wonderful micro climate and visit some superb gardens such as Garinish Island in Glengarriff that is located in the most beautiful sheltered setting and designed by Harold Peto wo was an advocate of the Italian style of architecture and of garden design. The Connemara National Park or to Kenmare in Co Kerry is another spectacular visit and if not ‘ tipping down’ !!

Clonakilty - Kinsale -

Bandon

A visit to The Clonakilty Distillery. An Irish Whiskey Distillery situated along The Atlantic Coast and combines traditional craftsmanship with innovation. Lunch in Scannells that specialises in delicious Seafood. A visit to Dunmore House Hotel & Dunowen House both near to Clonakilty and with superb views On to Beautiful Kinsale where the Battle of Kinsale took place in 1601. Spain was one of the most powerful countries in Europe in the 16th century and the growing power of England was seen as a threat to Spain. Three thousand Spanish troops fought with the Irish under the leadership of O’Donnell & O’Neill to challenge the power of the English. Kinsale has lots of nice Eateries/Shops and a magnet for a bit of shopping in a beautiful setting. A visit to Charles Fort constructed in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier coastal fortification. It is one of the largest Military Forts in the country and associated with some the most momentous events in Irish History, the most significant of which includes The William War in 1690 and The Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Old Head Signal Tower at Head of Kinsale and the most souther point of The Atlantic and where The RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U Boat during WW1 on its way from New York with the tragic loss of 1198 people on board on this fateful journey. A visit could be perhaps organised at The Links Superb Golf Course here too and where there is an outstanding Golf Shop and a good restaurant. Visit the wonderful Prims Bookshop and for A Tasting at The Kinsale Mead Company. Bandon was an established Plantation Town & exclusively built for English Protestants who were loyal to The Crown.