Tips and Trips from Blarney vale Bed and Breakfast

Blarney is an ideal base for touring the beautiful South West region of Ireland with so many wonderful trips available varying from short trips (1-2 Hours) to full day trips. Choose from interesting Heritage centres such as Cobh And Midleton tofamily fun at the Fota Wildlife Park and Arboretium to Blue Flag beaches for surfing and sailing or just relax with a game of golf at any of the 10 Golf courses within a 30 minute drive,or perhaps a fishing trip.

Why not visit some of the beautiful coastal peninsula's or the many National Parks or gardens such as Garnish Island, Bantry House, Fitzgerald's Park and Museum. Anne & Ray will guide you to the many hidden gems in the area that are less well know and not in your guide books or maps. Below is just a taste of what's available in this region.

Top trips from Blarneyvale Bed & Breakfast.

1. Blarney Castle
Just a 5 minute walk from from Blarneyvale Guest Accomodation, The castle is located on mature parkland and is home to the famous ''Blarney Stone''. Kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the ''Gift of Eloquence''. Blarney House & Gardens with its rare specimens of trees and shrubs is situated just south of the Castle and is one of the most elegant and impressive of the ''Great Houses of Ireland'', it has been tastefully restored to its former glory. A visit to the Castle and Blarney House and gardens is most enjoyable and is highly recommended.

2. Cork City
Near the entrance to Blarneyvale guest lodgings you can catch the bus to Cork City which is only a 10 minute drive and enjoy the sights such as the bustling ''English Market with its colourful array of fresh food stalls,the magnificient St. Finbarrs Cathedral and our beautiful University Campus with its Glucksman Gallery,Cork City Gaol and Radio Museum,Shandon Bells,Fitzgeralds Park and museum on the banks of the river Lee,this is just a little taste of what's to see in Cork City.A guided bus tour of the city is also available. Cork City is also a shopping delight with its large range of international and local shops with something of interest for everyone and in the evening you can relax in any one the street cafes or restaurants or perhaps visit one of the many pubs with their musical sessions.So a trip to the city will be a varied and enjoyable occasion.

3. Cobh Heritage Centre
Formally know as Queenstown,it was the last port of call for the Titanic and the port where over 2.5 million Irish emigrated between 1848-1950,the Heritage is a dramatic exhibition of the origins,history,and legacy of those times and is truly worth a visit.The Centre also offers a Geneology service and can help trace your Irish ancestors. Also while in Cobh a visit to the magnificient St.Colmans Cathedral is a must,it took 47 years to build starting in 1868 and has a carillon of 47 Bells,the church organ by Telford contains 2,468 pipes and is a regular venue for Recitals by choirs from all over the world.Cobh is just a 25 minute drive from Blarneyvale Bed & Breakfast Blarney.

4. Jameson Heritage Centre,Midleton,Co.Cork.
A tour of the old Midleton Distillery is a journey through the story of Irish Whiskey and you may take the opportunity to become a qualified ''Irish Whiskey Taster''.Midleton is very close to Cobh so we recommend you do both on the same day and afterwards if you wish to travel further you can take the ferry across Cork harbour(10 minutes) and travel on to Kinsale and visit Charles Fort an eighteenth century Fort overlooking the harbour.Kinsale is also a Gourmet capital and specialises on fresh fish dishes.This is a great trip and can comfortably be done from Blarneyvale guest lodgings easily in a day trip.Highly recommended.

5. Fota Wildlife Park and Arboritium Fota wildlife park.
Is set on 70 acres on the scenic Fota Island in the heart of Cork harbour and only 25 minutes drive from Blarneyvale Bed &Breakfast Blarney.The Park is not like an ordinary zoo,here you can come face to face with free roaming animals and birds from all parts of the world in a relaxing and tranquil setting.It is well worth a visit and can be a lovely family day.

6. The Beara Peninsula.
This peninsula is not well know and is off the usual tourist route,it is breathtakingly beautiful and offers some spectacular scenery and wonderful walks with some popular fishing villages along the way.The mountains and valleys are rich in archaeological sites such as stone circles,wedge graves and other relics from the past.There are scenic lakes surrounded by mountains and rugged coastline with lots of great fishing spots.On your journey you can visit many beautiful towns and villages such as Bantry,Glengariff,Castletownbere and Kenmare etc., Again a truly enjoyable day trip from Blarneyvale B&B.

7. West Cork.
Taking in the towns and villages of Clonakilty,Roscarbery,Glandore,Union Hall,Castletownsend and Skibbereen all of which are on the coast,having both spectacular views and beautiful beaches and harbours it is well worth a visit and has been a particular favourite of many guests over the years.This again is an easy day trip from Blarneyvale Bed n Breakfast.

8. Stone Circles.
Drombeg stone circle or better know as the Druid's Altar is probably Irelands most famous stone circle.It is a recumbent circle consisting of 17 pillar stones.This stone circle is located near the village of Glandore in West Cork and is well worth a visit,and could be visited while doing the West Cork trip as mentioned above.

9. Gougane Barra Forest Park.
This is situated west of Macroom on the R584 to Bantry.It is said that St.Finbarr built a monastery on the island in the lake during the 6th century and during Penal times it became a popular place for the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass.It is set in a valley of tremendous beauty and is know for its atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.This is about an hour drive from Blarneyvale guest accommodation.

10. The Michael Collins Centre Clonakilty.
For those interested in the backround and the history of Michael Collins and the role he played in Irish politics,then a visit to the centre is a must.Again this centre could be visited while on the West Cork trip as already mentioned.

As you can see there are lots things to do and see in this region and you could easily base yourself in Blarneyvale BnB for a few days while touring and experiencing the delights of this region.Anne & Ray will give you help and advise on how best to get the most out of your holiday in the region while still relaxing and recharging those batteries...

 

See you at Blarney Vale sometime soon !!!

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