© Dunbrody Famine Ship - Ballymaloe House Hotel - Blarney Woollen Mills (@blarneywoollenmills)
Just like in the song by Goldman, almost: Over there, everything is green, everything is wild... It's safe to say that the Irish countryside in County Cork knows no drought! But what beauty... Put on your boots: we're taking you on a journey through this lush and romantic countryside, dotted with castles, abbeys, and churches. As a bonus, we've found some places you shouldn't miss, from exploring colorful houses in small towns to wandering along the Dunbrody coast for a breathtaking view of the estuary and shopping in Cork. You're guaranteed a change of scenery and disconnection!
4 Hotels to Rest and Dine
For Food Enthusiasts Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Run by incredibly charming women, Ballymaloe House is the Irish manor of our dreams. Nestled in the East Coast countryside, on a large agricultural estate consisting of an organic farm and vegetable garden that supplies the restaurant, a boutique, and a cooking school (which we'll talk about later!), you might not want to leave. The feeling of being invited to the Allen family, the owners, is delightful. With their comfortable floral fabric armchairs, warm-colored lounges invite you to relax and enjoy a good beer by the fireplace. 33 charming and cozy rooms, each with a distinct British cottage-inspired decor, complete with cozy blankets, cushions, and plump sofas, all in a mix and match of prints that we adore. A must: dine at Yeats, the hotel's restaurant considered one of the best tables in Ireland. Chef Dervilla O'Flynn offers only local or farm-to-fork products: farm pork belly, West Cork scallops, homemade fettuccine with pesto and basil, a dessert cart... Everything is both exquisite and comforting (5-course menu €100).
The plus: cooking classes with Darina Allen, the most famous Irish chef who has created a recognized cooking school with a diploma. In 2 hours, you'll learn to make delicious bread, scones, raspberry jam, and butter... before devouring it all.
Rooms starting at €270 per night. All information on ballymaloe.ie
© Ballymaloe House Hotel - Daniel Callen
For Long Walks on Foot or by Bike
In a grand Georgian estate, you'll find a charming and comfortable manor with 22 rooms and suites. High ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and a cozy fireplace set the scene at Dunbrody House Hotel. Its spacious reception rooms are the perfect base after a good walk on the coast, near the spectacular Hook Peninsula. The rooms are spacious, very comfortable, and beautifully decorated (each one differently!), all with dreamy bathrooms. For those who want a true nature retreat, a very comfortable cabin in the woods is offered with all the hotel's amenities and only the sound of birds as company.
Rooms starting at €145. All information on dunbrodyhouse.com.
For a Memorable Dinner
Walls covered in printed fabric, mahogany tables, soft lighting, and thick carpets create the warm ambiance of The Harvest Room gourmet restaurant at Dunbrody House. Chef Kevin Dudon offers a delicious cuisine made exclusively with local products and garden vegetables and fruits. On the menu? A surprising selection including truffle risotto, smoked eel with caviar, braised beef in port wine, and a heavenly blue cheese infused with whiskey. The tarte tatin and floating island are worth the indulgence!
Menu €75, 2 courses €65. All information on dunbrodyhouse.com
© Dunbrody Country House hotel
To Explore Cork
Not far from the center of Cork, Hayfield Manor is the ideal place to enjoy a Guinness in a pub and do some shopping on foot. Set in a beautiful enclosed garden away from the city's hustle and bustle, although less intimate than other manors, this luxurious 5-star hotel is very welcoming, with a grand entrance hall flanked by a magnificent fireplace. An impressive double wooden staircase leads to the 80 rooms: they may lack the charm of small cozy rooms but offer tremendous comfort with beautiful bathrooms. Special mention goes to the brand-new spa, featuring a large pool, steam room, sauna, and an outdoor hot tub, not to mention the precise massages and treatments on offer.
Also great: in a cozy setting, the Orchidées restaurant at Hayfield Manor offers delicious Irish cuisine with a twist! Chef Mark Staples exclusively works with local and seasonal products, such as House Smoked Middleton Lamb or organic salmon (€72 menu).
Rooms starting at €284. All information on hayfieldmanor.ie.
© Hayfield Manor
The Temple of Wool
Take a taxi from Cork to shop at Blarney Woollen Mills for the finest Irish products. On three levels, this immense space is filled with tweed jackets for men (around €200), caps (€40), lodens, large Scottish shawls, beautiful Irish sweaters (around €100), and tweed skirts (around €160) to create a chic Downton Abbey look.
All information on www.blarney.com.
© Blarney Woollen Mills (@blarneywoollenmills)
To Learn All About Whiskey
Established in 1825 by the Murphy brothers, The Old Midleton Distillery is located in stunning historic buildings that have become museums. Through guided tours, you'll learn about the history of the house and whiskey production, and, of course, get to taste their finest brews directly from the new distillery.
Starting at €23. All information on guide-irlande.com.
© Jameson Distillery, Middleton
3 Fascinating Cultural Visits
Visit The Dunbrody Famine Ship, a large sailboat moored in New Ross, County Wexford, to understand the tragic history of Ireland and the great famine that struck in the mid-19th century, pushing thousands of Irish to flee to New York in search of a better life. Costumed actors and recreated sets perfectly portray the living conditions on the ship during the crossing.
Full-price ticket €14. All information on dunbrody.com.
© The Dunbrody Famine Ship
The Titanic Experience in Cobh: the Titanic's last stop before the tragic accident.
All information on titanicexperiencecobh.ie.
The Kennedy Homestead in New Ross: the Kennedy family's ancestral home, a cultural museum that tells their entire history and explains John F. Kennedy's great-grandfather's departure in 1848.
All information on kennedyhomestead.ie.
How to Get There?
For environmentally conscious travelers who want to skip the plane, Stena Line now operates the Cherbourg-Cork route. We loved the experience: a true luxury cruise where you sail all night after departing from the coast around 8 pm on the Stena Vision ferry. After a good dinner, you'll sleep in an elegant and comfortable cabin (approximately €230). The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, head to the beautiful spa with a view of the horizon for a massage, or perhaps opt for a steam and outdoor hot tub. You'll arrive in Rosslare refreshed in the early afternoon.
All information on stenaline.fr.
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