Location
Known as Eire, Republic of Ireland or Southern Ireland. The Cork Kerry region of South-West Ireland is one of the most attractive holiday areas in Ireland. This area has a spectacular coastline of over 1,000 km and has Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohil. This Region also has Ireland’s most southerly point and the most westerly point.
The Cork Kerry Region is a region of scenic contrasts, stepped in ancient history and folklore. The long indented coastline blends with spectacular mountains, and the many rivers and lakes combine with these mountains to give a landscape that offers much to the visitor.
There are many heritage and cultural sites of significance in the Region and these sites cover many diverse aspects of our heritage and culture. Themes include emigration from Ireland in the 19th century, the story of Irish whiskey, transport, the life of early Christian monks and traditional farming methods. There are also many sites of archaeological and historical importance in the Region.
This is a region where activity holidays play a large role in holiday plans, and County Cork has hosted the Irish Open Golf Championships on a number of occasions in recent years. Long distance walking is very popular in the region, as are the many cycle routes. In all about 1,000 kms of developed walking routes are available and about the same distance of developed or planned cycling routes await the visitor.
With such a long coastline sea and shore fishing is widely available as is excellent game angling. Good coarse angling facilities are available in County Cork. Visitors have been enjoying this Region for about 250 years and many of these early travelers visited Killarney in County Kerry and Blarney in County Cork. The Cork Kerry region is also a special part of Ireland that has hosted many international festivals and events including a Stage finish of The Tour de France cycle race and the Eurovision Song Contest. Cork City has been designated European Capital of Culture for 2005.
CORK
Cork is buzzing with big city excitement and oozing with charm, Ireland’s second largest city, like Venice the city is built upon the waters, and Cork centre is built on an island in the River Lee, just upstream of Cork Harbour. The two channels of the River Lee which embrace the city centre are spanned by many bridges, and this gives the city a distinctive continental air. However it is often said of Cork City that it has all the amenities of a large city, but still manages to retain its pleasant atmosphere and extreme friendliness, which you will experience on your visit. Cork is a city of remarkable charm, and the visitor cannot fail to be captivated by its hilly streets, bumpy bridges, peaceful backwaters and inconsequential air.
The English Market is located in the heart of the city and the visitor will find a variety of shops here selling everything from bread, cheeses, poultry, meats, olives and fish. The local Cork delicacy of tripe and drisheen can be bought in the Market.
The Market has existed since 1788. A fire in 1980 seriously damaged part of the Market, but it was carefully restored. The elegant 19th century fountain at the centre of the market was made locally by W.R. Harris of Great Georges Street and was once the main source of water supply for the traders.
It is a must on any City Break list. It might be the choice of great places to stay… Or maybe the shopping, you’ll get carried away … It could be the theatres, the galleries, the sights … Great Bars, clubs & restaurants & plenty of late nights..
DUBLIN
Dublin – the capital of Ireland and one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. The whole region is buzzing, riding high on the crest of an economic boom and its effects are to be seen everywhere, from the frantic night life to a skyline filled with cranes.
Home to over a quarter of the Ireland’s population, almost one million in all, Dublin is a youthful, vibrant and dynamic city with an ever-increasing cosmopolitan influence.
Chic restaurants and ultra-modern hotels have brought the city centre back to life. Temple Bar needs no introduction and the older icons such as Trinity College, Merrion Square and the National Museum are all enjoying the benefits of Dublin’s new status as a year-round tourist destination.
If the pace is just too much, escape to the hills of Howth, the Dalkey headland or the majestic Wicklow Mountains.
Attractions
CORK – There are many attractions for visitors to Cork City to savour. The imposing St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral is one such attraction. It stands on perhaps the oldest Christian site in Cork. Tradition has it that a monastery was founded on the site in the 7th century by St. Fin Barre.
KINSALE – is a small town, a 30-minute drive south of Cork city. Kinsale has the best of everything coastal towns should have. It’s clean and friendly, and surrounds a functioning harbor. Fishing boats
come and go, and a fleet of well-kept cruising and racing sailboats sit waiting for weekend use. It also has a dozen of the best restaurants in the country outside Dublin. Lovely beaches, rivers, and hikes are no more than a 10-minute drive away. It’s an artist haven, home to dozens of sculptors, painters, ceramic workers, and photographers. Every other store is an art gallery of some kind.
BLARNEY – is a world renowned tourist attraction and should not be missed by anyone visiting the South West of Ireland. The following sights are situated within a short walk of the centre of the village:
Blarney Castle -The Blarney Stone -The Rock Close -The Arboretum -Blarney House and Gardens -The Agricultural Implements Museum -Blarney Woolen Mills -The Village of Blarney.
DUBLIN – Sample some local brews. – Have a pint of Guinness or a shot of Irish whiskey in one of Dublin’s 1000 pubs
Visit a Castle – Step back in time and visit a selection of ancient and historic castles situated both in the city and throughout Dublin County.
Discover the story of Dublin – Visit some of the numerous museums and learn the history of this ancient capital.
Tour Dublin – See Dublin on any of the city’s hop-on-hop-off tours, or escape the hustle and bustle of the city and visit the countryside or costal villages just 20 minutes drive from the city centre.
‘Rock & Stroll’ around Dublin – Dublin is among the most important music cities in the world, so why not visit the many significant sites associated with Dublin’s famous musicians, rock groups and pop artists?
How to get there
Traveling to Ireland couldn’t be easier with a wide range of ferry and airline connections.
BY AIR;
Getting to Dublin by air is increasingly easy and popular, with many airlines opening new routes and the emergence of cheap air-travel in Europe there has never been a better time to fly to Dublin
Dublin International Airport is about 12km north from of city centre, and is well serviced by buses and taxis.
BY ROAD;
Take the car over by ferry, or hire a car from the numerous hire companies available.
By far the best way to see Ireland is by traveling by car and exploring the hidden treasures the organised tours either neglect or cannot readily gain access to.
BY RAIL;
In the south of Ireland The train service is run by Irish Rail. The network coverage is better that the North but there are serious omissions. Southern Ireland also has a small electric rail service known as DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) This line serves a number of stations between Bray to the south of Dublin and Howth to the North. A four-day Dublin Explorer ticket is available allowing travel on the DART and the Dublin bus service.
BY SEA;
You can take your car or go as a foot passenger to any of the six Ferry ports, with modern vessels sailing direct to and from both the continent (France) and the UK (Scotland England & Wales).
Connection to and from the south of Ireland are from Dun Laoghaire, Cork, and Rosslare, all offering various crossings at different times of the year
BY BUS/COACH;
Bus Éireann, or Irish Bus, provides bus services in Ireland outside Dublin.
Dublin Bus – provides an extensive bus network of nearly 200 radial, cross-city and peripheral routes in the City of Dublin and the greater County Dublin area.
Festivals
The Cork Kerry region is also a special part of Ireland that has hosted many international festivals and events including a Stage finish of The Tour de France cycle race and the Eurovision Song Contest. Cork City has been designated European Capital of Culture for 2005.
Eating Dining Shopping
The local Cork delicacy of tripe and drisheen can be bought in the Market.
Shop ’til you drop! – Dublin offers a wonderful array of products ranging from the traditional to the more contemporary. A must for all shoppers is the central shopping area which runs from Henry Street to O’ Connell Street and on to Grafton Street, and is easily explored on foot. There are also many fine shopping centres throughout the city and county
History
Southern Ireland is sometimes used as an unofficial name for the Republic of Ireland Eire.
The state known today as the Republic of Ireland came into being when twenty-six of the traditional counties of (An island comprising the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) Ireland seceded from the UK in 1922. The remaining six counties remained within the UK as the (northern part of the island of Ireland) Northern Ireland.
The state has been known by a number of names. Following the 1918 General Election, nationalist MPs declared the ” Irish Republic” in 1919 but full de facto independence was not achieved until 1922 when the “Irish Free State” was established. In 1937, the state was renamed to simply “Ireland”. It has been commonly known as the “Republic of Ireland” since becoming a republic in 1949.
Useful telephone numbers
Emergency Number 999
Airport Information (Dublin) +353 1 8141111
Train station:
Tourist Office 🙁 Dublin) 353 1 605 7799
Holiday rents online:
National Transport Line
24 hour medical service