The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in County Cork, Province of Munster

December 2, 2021 Concepcion Newsome

Discover the best top things to do in County Cork, Ireland including Beara Way, Gougane Barra National Forest Park, The Donkey Sanctuary, Healy Pass, Michael Collins Centre, Sheep's Head Peninsula, Birds of Prey Educational Centre, St. Mary's Collegiate Church, Glenview Gardens & Fairy Trail, Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance.
Restaurants in County Cork

1. Beara Way

Beara Peninsula, Glengarriff Ireland http://www.bearatourism.com/bearaway.html
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
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5.0 based on 214 reviews

Beara Way

Reviewed By Go529321 - Drogheda, Ireland

Wonderful drive great scenery only problem roadside very Narrow with very few passing points or viewing spots where you can stop for photos

2. Gougane Barra National Forest Park

5km West of Ballingeary on R584 to Bantry, at the Pass of Keimaneigh, Gougane Barra, Ballingeary Ireland +353 21 488 2218 http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/index.php?id=171&rec_site=88
Excellent
84%
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5.0 based on 288 reviews

Gougane Barra National Forest Park

Reviewed By Tianaward027 - Tralee, Ireland

In October 2017 I visited Gougane Barra National Forest Park and it was amazing ???? Definitely a day I will remember forever ???????? Beautiful walks for all levels in a lovely forest setting ????????‍♀️A lovely peaceful place away from the crowd is what we need to destress and enjoy Mother Nature ???? Toilets are spotless and hand sanitizer was provided ???????? A stunning walk up along a beautiful waterfall, with incredible mountain views at the top. There are so many gorgeous waterfalls cascading down the mountains at the top ???? The base of the mountain is covered in the most amazingly thick moss that's like sponge under your feet ???????? We then ate in cronins bar and cafe, lovely food there highly recommend ???????? Highly recommend that everyone visits some time ‼️

3. The Donkey Sanctuary

Liscarroll, Mallow Ireland +353 22 48398 [email protected] http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie
Excellent
81%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 278 reviews

The Donkey Sanctuary

Reviewed By 891heidid

We sponsor a donkey so as we were holidaying in Ireland decided to visit him. The sanctuary is tucked away so we were pleased we had sat nav? Unfortunately when we visited in November the weather was dreadful and we couldn’t walk around the trail as it was closed to prevent damage. However the donkeys were all warm and snug in very deep straw with plenty of food. They were able to walk across the yard and a couple braved the weathe4 to come to the gate. We had a cup of tea and a chat to the lady running the #hop and purchased some beautiful Christmas cards. We will definitely go back when we next visit Ireland @nd hope for better weather!

4. Healy Pass

Adrigole Ireland +353 27 50299 http://www.kenmare.ie/members/healy-pass-circuit/
Excellent
89%
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5.0 based on 262 reviews

Healy Pass

Reviewed By AnnetteMc - Birdhill, Ireland

Stayed at Allihies with my family in September. The trip via Healy Pass is an adventure all of its own. It is fabulous and the views are out of this world.

5. Michael Collins Centre

Castleview, Clonakilty Ireland +353 23 884 6107 [email protected] http://www.michaelcollinscentre.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 344 reviews

Michael Collins Centre

We are a family run interpretive centre, just off the main road(R600)between Clonakilty and Timoleague/Kinsale).We are also located on the Wild Atlantic Way. We are open from Mid June to Mid September. At the centre we give presentations interpreting the life and times of Michael Collins. We begin with an audio visual presentation showing all the places connected with Michael Collins in West Cork, we also have a second audio visual consisting of archive footage. The most unique part of the presentation is our live lecture which is conducted by an expert historian who gives an account of the 'Big Fella's' life from 1906 until his death. We also have a full scale replica of the Ambush site in Beal na mBlath. We also do private Michael Collins tours.

Reviewed By littleadventurers

We met Tim Crowley on a individual tour back in January so came back to see the collection he’s gathered over the years, it’s a great tour and we would recommend it to other Michael enthusiasts!! We have been to his Grave, the ambush site and really Tim has created an experience and his knowledge of Michael Collins is something to experience!!!

6. Sheep's Head Peninsula

Bantry Ireland http://www.thesheepsheadway.ie
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5.0 based on 509 reviews

Sheep's Head Peninsula

Reviewed By 223aineb

This was a walkers paradise. It was worth the long drive on the narrow road to the end of the peninsula. Some short walks as well as more challenging for the avid walker.

7. Birds of Prey Educational Centre

Trabolgan Holiday Village, Midleton P25 HY10 Ireland +353 21 466 1551 http://trabolganbirds.com
Excellent
92%
Good
5%
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5.0 based on 263 reviews

Birds of Prey Educational Centre

Reviewed By staceymhand - County Dublin, Ireland

Just want to share these amazing photos that was taken by the lovely Samantha Murphy on our little holiday down in Trabolgan holiday village on the 13th August - 17th August and Out of our whole experience and photos of trabolgan these are our favourites ???????? Ravenstone birds of prey was amazing and the mother of the owls, falcons and hawks we seen was samantha murphy she was amazing and captured my children beautifully in her photos ???????????? Such a wonderful experience and the staff in the birds of prey were so wonderful, kind and amazing so thank you Sam & Tish ???????? we will definitely back next summer ????????

8. St. Mary's Collegiate Church

Emmet Pl Emmet Place,, Youghal P36 DV25 Ireland +353 83 402 6613 [email protected] http://youghal.cloyne.anglican.org/youghal_stmary
Excellent
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5.0 based on 180 reviews

St. Mary's Collegiate Church

Welcome to 'Voices of St. Mary's Collegiate Church'. We hope you will enjoy exploring our church and discover more about its story in our interactive exhibition when you come to visit! Since its foundation in 1220, St. Mary's Collegiate Church has been at the heart of the town of Youghal. For over 800 years, the stone walls and wooden roof have provided sanctuary and solace through times of war and famine, as well as a calm presence in times of prosperity and peace. There is so much to discover her and as you look around you will see where parts of the church have been altered over the centuries. Despite these changes, the craftsmen who constructed the building in the 13th century would recognise it today. Christian worship continues to this day and Church of Ireland services are regularly held here. The church came into the care of Cork County Council in 2005 and now hosts a wide range of community events and performances, as well as welcoming visitors from all over the world!

Reviewed By Kathleen_White17 - Dublin, Ireland

Really loved our tour of the St Mary Collegiate Church -- our tour guide, Wayne, was very friendly, welcoming and filled with interesting information about the Church and the surrounding areas. Would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Irish history, wanting to spend time in a unique and impressive historical building, and/or wanting to learn some interesting facts about an Irish town that played a big role in history!

9. Glenview Gardens & Fairy Trail

Glen View Desert Enniskeane, Cork P47 AH98 Ireland +353 23 884 7230 [email protected] http://www.glenviewgardenswestcork.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 171 reviews

Glenview Gardens & Fairy Trail

Open end of May 2021 . A beautiful 3 acre garden with amazing designs and fun for all the family in West Cork, including a Fairy Fort and Fairies Trail. This 3 acre garden is full of surprises with each garden style flowing into the next. The front garden contains a sunken white garden, an Italianate canal and a Japanese garden. The boundary wisteria walk opens out into the bog garden and woodland area, from where you can continue to the tea house to enjoy a view of the Mediterranean and tropical gardens. Wander over the birch mound, which is surrounded by the wildflower meadow, into the walled kitchen garden to view the seasonal vegetables. The kids will have great fun visiting the Fairy Fort built right through the birch mound or searching for the fairy houses in the Fairies woods. View the Budgies, Parakeets, Finches, Ducks and Chickens in the Aviary.

Reviewed By Livingfortravel101

Recently I took a trip to glenview gardens and had a fantastic experience. It is not only a great trip for garden lovers but also has plenty on offer for kids. From fairy trails, dinosaurs, teddy bear picnics, birds, goats, fish, rabbits and lots of other surprises along the way. I would highly recommend a trip to see the gardens. Unfortunately it was raining for our trip but that still didn’t dampen our spirts. I can only imagine how beautiful it is on a sunny day.

10. Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

Ringfinnan, Kinsale Ireland +353 86 864 7028 http://www.facebook.com/ringfinnan
Excellent
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5.0 based on 122 reviews

Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

This garden is located in the townland of Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork in the south of Ireland and is dedicated to the memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their live in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. This garden of Remembrance was established by Kathleen Murphy in November 2001. Kathleen grew up in Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork which is located in the south of Ireland. Following her training as a nurse in England she moved to New York where she worked as a staff nurse for 40 years in Lennox Hill Hospital. Kathleen always admired the brave and courageous work of firefighters. Following the 9/11 attacks she decided to establish the garden of remembrance in memory to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th 2001. Kathleen passed away in March 2011 in New York following a battle with cancer and is buried less than 2 miles from the garden.

Reviewed By bsa819 - Lynnfield, United States

Worth a stop and a chance to remember. We forget how the entire globe was afftected by the events in the US on 9/11

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