Nature & Countryside
Rural Cork is one of the last truly unspoilt natural environments in Europe. In a landscape of unparalleled beauty, nature lovers can still glimpse foxes, rabbits, hares, stoats, otters, hedgehogs and red squirrels in their natural habitats.
Country walkways and cycle ways explore the remotest corners of the county – and hikers and bikers are always assured a welcome at An Óige’s many youth hostels. (Despite their name, the hostels have no upper age limit. Everyone’s welcome!)
No trip to Cork would be complete without a visit to one of Cork’s many fine country houses and their beautiful gardens. Longueville House near Mallow dates back to 1720 and has stunning views over the River Blackwater and the ruins of Dromaneen Castle – the original seat of the O’Callaghan family, who still live on and farm the 500-acre estate to this day.
Lisselan House and its 30 acres of gardens are on the banks of the Argideen River near Clonakilty. The house itself, dates back to the early 1850s. It was built – unusually, for Ireland – in the French Chateau Style from a design by famous Regent Street architect, Lewis Vulliamy. The gardens contain many spectacular features such as an azalea garden, rockeries, Japanese maples, water gardens, and a rhododendron grove.
On Fota island, just outside Cork city, you’ll find the internationally acclaimed Fota House and Arboretum. The house is a fine Regency-style building, reflecting life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Fota gardens and arboretum are of international importance – one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs from around the world, including China, Japan, Australia and the Himalayas.
