| |
| Bantry
House |
Bantry Co. Cork |
|
2 hours |
| Annesgrove |
Castletownroche, Co Cork |
|
45 mins |
| Ballymaloe |
Shanagarry, Co. Cork |
|
30 mins |
| Creagh |
Skibbereen, Co. Cork |
|
1.5 hours |
| Castle
Gardens |
Timoleague, Co. Cork |
|
1.5 hours |
| Fota
Wildlife Park |
Cobh, Co, Cork |
|
30 mins |
| Ilnacullin |
Glengarriff, Co. Cork |
|
2 hours |
| Lismore
Castle |
Lismore, Co. Waterford |
|
30 mins |
| Lakemount |
Glanmire, Co. Cork |
|
30 mins |
| Glenleigh |
Clogheen, Co. Tipperary |
|
1 hour |
| Camas Park |
Cashel, Co. Tipperary |
|
1 hour |
| Mount
Juliet |
Thomastown, Co Kilkenny |
|
1.5 hours |
| Mount
Congreve |
Kilmeadon, Co. Waterford |
|
1 hour |
| Curraghmore |
Portlaw, Co. Waterford |
|
1 hour |
| Glin
Castle |
Glin, Co. Limerick |
|
2 hours |
| Dereen |
Kenmare, Co. Kerry |
|
2 hours |
| Doneraile
Forest Park |
Doneraile, Co. Cork |
|
1 hour |
| Cork
Garden Festival Week |
Early May |
|
|
| Lismore Centre for Traditional Skills
|
|
The Old Railway Station in Lismore is home to the Centre for Traditional Skills, a place dedicated to the conservation and revival of age old crafts and skills. The magnificent stone built goods shed is busy again with a working forge, workshops for woodturning, country carpentry, coopering, toolmaking and tinsmithing. Book one of the weekend courses and stay at Ballyvolane – only 20 minutes drive.
Ballyquin, located on the Youghal to Dungarvan Road
Whiting Bay, located on the Youghal to Dungarvan Road
Ardmore, signed from Youghal to Dungarvan
Youghal Strand
Ballycotton, signed from Midleton Youghal Strand
| Swimming |
 |
Trabolgan
Swimming and Sports Complex, Midleton
Fermoy Leisure
Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Splashworld, Tramore,
Co. Waterford
Youghal Swimming Centre, Youghal, Co. Cork
| Play centres in Midleton |
Glanmire and Cork |
| Fota Wildlife Park |
Cobh, Co. Cork |
| Leahy’s Open Farm |
Dungourney, Co. Cork |
| Conna Tennis Club |
Conna |
058 59152 |
15 mins |
Croquet can be played at Ballyvolane House on the south top lawn from May
to September, weather permitting. You can borrow mallets and balls from
the porch. See us for rules, cheating advised!
We have a net set up on the lawn behind the dovecot. Rackets and shuttlecocks
provided.
We have bikes available for your use at Ballyvolane House and can suggest
a few good routes and provide you with maps.
| Fishing
|
|
For more information on salmon fishing on the renowned river Blackwater
or for trout fishing on the lakes at Ballyvolane, see the fishing
pages on our site.
| Ballybrack Riding School |
Glenville |
087 2519405 |
15 mins |
The point to point season in Ireland begins on New Years Day and finishes
the last day in May. If you are lucky enough to be touring North Cork during
those months, the point to point experience is a must. Ask us for further
information on exact dates, times and venues.
The first horse race meeting in Mallow dates back to 1777 when six consecutive
days of racing were on offer in the Mallow area, "all to be run according
to the King’s Plate articles". The present race course which
was refurbished in 1997 dates back to 1924.
| Cork
Race Course |
Killarney Rd, Mallow |
022 50207 |
1 hour |
Every Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday nights – first race is at 7.50pm
| Curraheen Park Stadium |
Bishopstown, Cork |
021 4543095 |
|
| Hunting |
|
For further information on exact dates, times and venues contact the following
Hunt Clubs:
| Hunt |
location |
contact |
phone no. |
distance |
| Avondhu |
Fermoy |
D O’ Meara |
025 32681 |
15 mins |
| Cloyne |
Cloyne |
JJ Harty |
021 631898 |
30 mins |
| Doneraile |
Doneraile |
C O'Keefe |
022 24222 |
1 hour |
| Duhallow |
Liscarroll |
D O’ Cainte |
022 48161 |
1.5 hours |
| Kilworth/ Araglin |
Kilworth |
L O'Doherty |
025 85444 |
30 mins |
| Muskerry |
Muskerry |
R Harkin |
021 4382233 |
1.5 hours |
| United Hunt |
Ballindenisk |
D Daly |
021 4277399 |
30 mins |
| West Waterford |
Lismore |
J Sheehan |
058 54265 |
30 mins |
Killeagh Harriers |
Kileagh |
|
|
|
Conna Harriers |
Conna |
|
|
|
| Claybird
Limited |
Kinsale |
021 4887149 |
1 hour |
By arrangement.
| Jameson Heritage Centre |
Midleton, Co. Cork |
| Cobh Heritage Centre |
Cobh, Co. Cork |
| Fota House and Gardens |
Cobh, Co. Cork |
| Lismore Heritage Town |
Co. Waterford |
| Cahir Castle |
Co. Tipperary |
| Swiss Cottage |
Cahir (open March - November) |
| Charles Fort |
Kinsale, Co. Cork (open April - September) |
| Rock of Cashel |
Co. Tipperary |
| Tourin House |
Cappoquin, Co. Waterford (open May - September) |
| Cappoquin House |
Co. Waterford (by request) |
| Holy Cross Abbey |
Thurles, Co Tipperary |
| Bunratty Castle and Folk Park |
Bunratty, Co. Clare |
| Blarney Woollen Mills |
Co. Cork |
| Blarney Castle |
Co. Cork |
| Barryscourt Castle |
Carrigtohill, Co. Cork |
| Mitchelstown Caves |
Co. Cork |
| Fota Wildlife Park & Fota House |
Cobh, Co. Cork |
| The Donkey Sanctuary |
Liscarroll, Co. Cork |
| Millstreet Country Park |
Millstreet, Co. Cork |
| Ring of Kerry |
|
| Dingle Peninsula |
Kerry |
| The Vee |
Lismore, Co. Waterford |
| Blackwater River Drive |
Co. Cork - Youghal to Fermoy |
| Nire Valley Drive |
Co. Waterford |
| West Cork Coast |
|
| Waterford Crystal |
|
| Walking
|
|
There are stunning woodland and garden walks all around Ballyvolane Estate
which take you through the walled garden, round the rock, the ponds and
Tims’ woods.
There are also many charming and highly recommended walks beyond the gates
of Ballyvolane which take in fantastic views of the North Cork countryside.
Maps can be provided.
1. Ballyvolane House – Britway - Ballymacsimon – Spaniel’s
Cross Loop
Distance 13km Time 3 hours
2. Ballyvolane – Britway – Ballymacsimon Short Loop
Distance 7km Time 1.5 hours
3. Ballyvolane – Britway Church Short Loop
Distance 6.5km Time 1.5 hours
Glenseskin Wood, Kilworth, (map at Car Park)
Castleblagh Wood, Ballyhooly, (map at entrance)
The Munster Way, from the Vee, Lismore
The Blackwater Way
The Ballyhoura Way
Galtee Mór and Glengarra Woods, Galtee Mountains, Co. Tipperary
| Eating,
drinking and Shopping |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| The Big Tree | Aghern | 3 |
| Peddler’s Rock, Abbey Bar | Castlelyons | 3 |
| The Fisherman’s Rest | Conna | 6 |
| Lombard’s | Fermoy | 7 |
| Ted Keniry’s | Tallow | 9 |
| Foleys | Lismore | 14 |
| The Blackbird | Ballycotton | 16 |
| |
|
|
| |
| La Bigoudenne | Fermoy | 7 |
| Juniper | Fermoy |
5 |
| Brideview Bar | Tallow | 9 |
| The Cliff House Hotel | Ardmore | 19 |
| O’Donovan’s Restaurant | Midleton | 10 |
| Finnin’s | Midleton | 10 |
| Farm Gate | Midleton | 10 |
| Pastis, Glencairn Inn | Glencairn | 14 |
| The Old Convent | Clogheen | 28 |
| Foleys | Lismore | 14 |
| Ballymaloe House | Shanagarry | 15 |
| Ahern’s Seafood | Youghal | 18 |
| Longueville House | Mallow | 22 |
| Café Paradiso (vegetarian) | Cork City | 22 |
| Jacques | Cork City | 22 |
| Jacob’s on the Mall | Cork City | 22 |
| Les Gourmandise | Cork City | 22 |
| Club Brasserie | Cork City | 22 | sssss
| La Boqueria | Cork City | 22 |
| Issac’s | Cork City | 22 |
| Table, Brown Thomas (lunch) | Cork City | 22 |
| Thai Lanna | Cork City | 22 |
| Liberty Grill | Cork City | 22 |
| Annie’s Gastropub | Cork City | 22 |
| Farm Gate | English Market, Cork | 26 |
| The Tannery | Dungarvan | 35 |
| Fishy Fishy Café | Kinsale | 35 |
| Toddies | Kinsale | 35 |
| |
|
|
| |
| Fermoy Books | Bookstore | Fermoy |
| The Summer House | Home wares, flowers | Lismore |
| Alison Trigg | Hand painted plaster | Lismore |
| Ballymaloe Shop | Kitchen/ home wares | Shanagarry |
| Stephen Pearce Pottery | Pottery | Shanagarry |
| Meadows & Byrne | Home wares | Cork City |
| Brown Thomas | Clothing & beauty | Cork City |
| Kinsale | Everything | Kinsale |
| Blarney Woollen Mills | Clothing & gifts | Blarney |
| Meet our local artisan food producers: |
|
| The English Market Cork City |
Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm |
| Midleton Farmers Market |
Every Saturday morning |
| Fermoy Farmers Market |
Every Saturday morning 10am to 1pm |
| Mahon Point Farmers Market |
Every Thursday morning 10am to 1pm |
Essential listening/ viewing and can be heard in some of the local pubs on selected nights and also during a variety of festivals throughout the year (see ‘Festivals and Events’). Ask us for details.
| Music, Theatre & Dance Venues
|
|
| Cork Opera House |
Cork |
| Everyman Palace Theatre |
Cork |
| Triskel Arts Centre |
Cork |
| Spa, Health & Beauty Treatments
|
|
| Escape Spa, Aveda Salon & Spa |
Imperial Hotel, Cork |
| Capella Hotel & Resort |
Castlemartyr, Co. Cork |
|
Art Galleries and Museums
|
|
| Crawford Gallery |
Cork City |
| Lismore Arts Centre |
Dromroe, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford |
| Lismore Castle Gallery |
Lismore, Co. Waterford |
| Dungarvan Museum |
St. Augustine Street, Dungarvan |
| Glucksman Art Gallery |
UCC, Cork |
| Antiques
|
|
| George Stacpoole |
Adare, Co. Limerick |
061 369409 |
1.5 hours |
| Linda Antiques |
Main Street, Kinsale |
021 4774754 |
1 hour |
| Diana O’Mahoney |
8 Winthrop St, Cork |
021 4276599 |
30 mins |
| Georgian Antiques |
21 Lavitt’s Quay, Cork |
021 4278153 |
30 mins |
| Mona’s Antiques |
Oliver Plunkett St, Cork |
021 4278171 |
30 mins |
| Simon Dunne Antiques |
Lismore, Co. Waterford |
058 59825 |
|
| Fortlands Antiques |
Charleville, Co. Cork |
063 81295 |
30 mins |
Available from Midleton, Ballycotton, Youghal and Dungarvan
| Kinsale
Harbour Cruises |
Kinsale |
021 4773188 |
1 hour |
| Sovereign
Sailing |
Kinsale |
021 4774145 |
1 hour |
| Blackwater Cruises |
Youghal |
087 9889076 |
1 hour |
| Golf |
|
| course |
holes |
location |
phone no. |
distance |
| Old
Head Kinsale |
18 |
Kinsale |
021 4778444 |
1 hour |
| Cork |
18 |
Little Island |
021 4353451 |
30 mins |
| Harbour
Point |
18 |
Cork |
021 353094 |
40 mins |
| Fota
Island |
18 |
Cobh |
021 4883700 |
20 mins |
| Fermoy |
18 |
Fermoy |
025 32694 |
15 mins |
| Lismore |
9 |
Lismore |
058 54026 |
20 mins |
| East Cork |
18 |
Midleton |
021 631687 |
20 mins |
| Mallow |
18 |
Mallow |
022 31145 |
1 hour |
| Doneraile |
9 |
Doneraile |
022 24137 |
1 hour |
| Mitchelstown |
18 |
|
025 24072 |
|
| Castlelyons |
Pitch & Putt |
Castlelyons |
025 36840 |
5 mins |
+ 10 other Golf Courses within 30 miles
| Golf Ranges |
|
| Rockmills |
Kildorrery |
022 25222 |
1 hour |
| Harbour Point |
Cork |
See Above |
40 mins |
| Ivory Park Driving Range |
Fermoy |
025 31371 |
15 mins |
|
Recommended Travel Guides to Ireland
|
|
| The Bridgestone Guide, John & Sally McKenna’s 100 Best Places to Stay |
| The Bridgestone Guide, John & Sally McKenna’s 100 Best Places to Eat |
| Good Food Ireland |
| Great Fishing Houses of Ireland |
| Georgina Campbell’s Ireland |
| The Good Hotel Guide, Great Britain & Ireland |
| Ireland’s Blue Book |
| The Hidden Ireland |
| Alistair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay Ireland |
| Karen Brown’s Guides Ireland |
| AA, Bed & Breakfast Guide |
| Bed & Breakfast Ireland, Elsie Dillard & Susan Causin |
| Fodor’s Ireland |
| The Lonely Planet Ireland |
| Trip Advisor |
Unique to Ireland, and there is unique style of road
bowling specific to this part of East Cork. The ancient game of road
bowling is as exhilarating and competitive today as at any period in a very
long, illustrious and colourful history. Forms of bowling can be traced
back to the Pharaohs of Egypt. However, the exact origins of Irish
Road Bowling are uncertain. The game itself in its present form began
to emerge in the 17th and 18th centuries. Stone bowls and iron bowls were
used during this period of transition.
Prior to the structured rules, the game of road bowling was not played over
a particular distance, but instead the winner was decided by who could throw
the furthest over 20 shots. You may run into groups of men road bowling
on the road between Castlelyons and Fermoy.
| Hurling & Gaelic Football
|
|
Hurling is the fastest and possibly the most dangerous field sport on earth,
and here in County Cork, the Hurling tradition runs deep. Our local team,
the Bride
Rovers, won the Munster intermediate championship last year and Cork
itself have been all-Ireland champions many times over. Many hurling legends,
such as Timmy McCarthy of Castlelyons and the Bold Christy Ring, Master
of Cloyne of whom many songs and poems are written, both reign from this
part of Cork.
Excerpt from RTE sport by Bryan McMahon, Kerry playwright and novelist:
"How oft I've watched him from the hill move here and there in grace,
In Cork, Killarney, Thurles Town or by the Shannon's Race,
"Now Cork is be't, the hay is saved" the thousands wildly sing
They speak too soon, my sweet gossoon, for here comes Christy Ring!"
“Christy Ring from Cloyne, Co Cork, is regarded by many the length and breadth of the country as the greatest ever hurler to take the field. His mastery of the skills of the game was equalled only by his dedication to the cause of his fabled Cork, for whom he played for in excess of 20 years. Of course others have too been lauded as the best hurler of all time, but Ring applied his range of talents for greater reward than any other, and much of this was due to his own efforts. He took much responsibility on his shoulders and his 'feats of derring-do' grow with each telling. Ring won 8 All-Ireland medals before retiring from the inter-county scene at the age of 43, a record only later equalled by John Doyle of Tipperary. His last appearance on the national scene saw him earn his 18th Railway Cup medal with Munster in 1963.
Christy Ring died suddenly on March 2, 1979, at the age of 58. Shortly before he died, Ring said this to RTE interviewer Donncha O'Dulaing of his scoring feats 'I always tried to achieve the impossible'. There is no doubt but of all those to grace a hurling field he has yet to be surpassed in coming closest.”
Gaelic football is also played widely and both Hurling and ‘Gaelic’
are highly entertaining spectator sports. There nearest GAA where local
teams can be seen playing is in Castlelyons village, behind the community
centre, but most towns and villages in the locality have their own GAA pitch.
Check ‘The Avondhu’, our local paper for fixtures.
|
|
