Acres of beautifully landscaped walks around the estate. I didn't have any expectations when…read morevisiting the first time last week and was really surprised at how well kept it is. The old Oak/Beech trees are enormous, they must be hundreds of years old.

Doneraile Wildlife Park is beautiful park, full of rolling hills and secluded trails. There's a few…read moredeer herds on site, and the excellent playground to keeps the smallies busy as well. There's plenty of great spots for a picnic. There's also a tea room, just make sure to check the Heritage Ireland site for opening hours as these change seasonally.

I spent some time at this park after walking miles through Cork. My feet were throbbing and I was…read morein desperate need of a break. I found a bench by the river and sat for a while. The wind was lovely and it wasn't raining and the bench was in the shade so I got to sit for a good long while. I popped in my earbuds and listened to an audiobook and it was peaceful bliss. There are public bathrooms but they are paid so I avoided them. There are lots of benches and trash cans around so the park is fairly clean. Once you move away from the playground there aren't too many children and it's not too noisy, so it's the perfect place to relax for a bit.

A lovely little park (a mile or so outside the centre of Cork) which flanks the River Lee, well…read morelooked after and very green and full of flowers (in season of course)! Daly's Bridge is worth walking over and you'll realise why its other name is the Shaky Bridge - it moves slightly when you walk or run.

We did the tour here and enjoyed learning about the tower. No photos were allowed during the tour…read moreso photos are of the outside. Beautiful spot right on the water. Nice toilets, and plenty of parking nearby. This is a fun stop while exploring Killarney!

An iconic Irish castle on the shore of Lough Leane (the learning lake) that withstood repeated…read moreassaults until finally falling to Cromwell. Free to walk the grounds plus there's a free history exhibition on the main floor. Period guided tours of the structure are available for a nominal fee. It's also the jumping off points for periodic 1-hour boat tours of the lake (€15)-we reco lily of Killarney-nicer boat) or a junket out to the ruined monastery on a small island that was the seat of learning. Fascinating and worth a stop.

MARDYKE SKATE PARK Many complaints when the kids were…read moreskate-boarding in front of the Opera House. Somebody heard and now there are at least two dedicated "parks", one in the Regional Park (Ballincollig) and the other in the Mardyke Walk. Passed the Mardyke facility this morning and there was just one dedicated skater practising but I'm sure, like the Ballincollig one, it is much busier at the weekends.

Highly recommend when in Killarney. We walked from our hotel to the Park and made a day of it…read more Entrance is free! Many paved and unpaved trails to follow. Park was lush and green and surrounded 3 lakes. We hiked to MuckRoss house (didn't take the paid tour), the Abbey, and Torc Waterfall. Lots of history. Torc waterfall was quite a distance away, you'll pass a botanical garden that is gorgeous. Upon arrival to Torc, you'll have access to a variety of either strenuous, moderate, or mild hikes. We chose the tourist route for pics and easy access to the waterfall. A decent size waterfall and worth the trek. Lots of tourist buses park here. Many horse carriage rides available in the park. Not a supporter of that business. But, you'll see beautiful cows grazing the pastures near the MuckRoss house . All in all , we hiked approximately 10 + miles that day! Always be prepared for a little bit of rain and wind. Bring water or a picnic lunch : )

I absolutely recommend coming here if you're ever in Ireland. There is no entrance fee. We saw the…read moreTorc waterfall and it was beautiful. There's much more to see but to be transparent we didn't go to them all. Absolutely gorgeous. A definite MUST!

LEE FIELDS WALK 21.07.10 Nowadays, you may begin the Lee…read moreFields Walk at the southern side of Wellington Bridge but if you have a car you'd be better off to park it at the start of the Straight Road (on the right). As you move along the tarmac path, the river is on your right and there are good views of the Municipal Waterworks and the long building (formerly the hospital) and, on the left, the County Hall. Continue now behind the Kingsley Hotel which seems to have suffered a fatal blow in last winter's floods and soon you are in the traditional Lee Fields walk where quite a few other people are normally out and about. The river is often a hive of activity, canoes and swimmers in the water. There is an extension to the Lee Fields Walk along the farm fields of Carrigrohane. The river is close on your right and some decent views open out: houses on the opposite bank and in the higher ground above, perhaps horses grazing, river birdlife, nice stands of trees, wild flowers and fishermen also. The path at the start of the extended walk is packed earth, a few feet wide. Later this becomes just a single line in the grass, but easily followed, all the way to a gate and exit at the end of the straight road. THE LEE FIELDS 10.11.09 Though its main attraction, the public swimming baths, has long since gone, the Lee Fields on the Western side of the city, is still used by citizens and visitors alike. The baths may be gone but there is still a small group of hardy swimmers that can be seen in all seasons taking a dip in the river. Here the walks are relatively long so you can exercise yourself and the dog or vice versa. Plenty of space to walk and jog along the riverside path and the grassy area can be used to stretch out on the sunny days. Workers from nearby offices (including the County Hall) can take the air and have a snack on the grass during lunchtime. Impromptu games of football take place here and, from the river bank, you can also see the fishermen and canoeists in action. The Lee Fields "where we sported and played" have been occasionally used for open air concerts but are generally left to the joggers and the strollers and the courting couples!

I have only been in the Regional Park a few times now and absolutely love wandering around. I have…read morewent for strolls with my husband or gone to exercise by myself and I really enjoy it. They have done up the park over the past few years and it looks great. There is a river, some streams and canals and much more to see in this park. I even found a fairy path this morning and I absolutely loved it, it is a great idea for kids and adults a like! There are places to play soccer/football and a playground for children as well. I really enjoy this park and recommend to go there if you are in the Ballincollig area

This is a fantastic out door space. There plenty of walks on even ground, greenery to view and a…read moreplayground for kids to play in. There are some outdoor exercise structures for adults to use too. I only wish I had more time to spend here. This is all paid for by the town's support so it is a wonderful place to enjoy for free! There is a nice coffee truck in the parking lot. I anticipate it gets full so try to visit in the morning!

My wife and I arrived as part of our Enchanting Ireland tour. It was a beautiful day for touring…read morethe entire grounds which is what we opted to do. The other choice was to get on a one-way line (45-90 min wait) to climb the steps in the Blarney Castle to the Blarney Stone to be held by your legs upside down backwards just to kiss the stone and gain the "gift of gab". Sorry--- not worth my time. Once on the line, you can't turn back. Instead we toured the wonderful gardens including the poisonous and carniverous plants. Very cool. We also went to the lakehouse area and saw a newborn colt with its mom by the pasture where you can find horses, cattle and sheep. We didn't go into the Blarney House which is where the owner currently resides and looks more like a modern day castle. There was a cost to enter, but we didn't have enough time for the tour. They have a couple of snack foods areas as well as gift shops and toilets. They're very well staffed and self funded to preserve this great piece of history.

I came on a very rainy day and was initially concerned that the Blarney Stone would be closed, but…read morewas informed at the entrance/ticketing booth that the line was actually very short at the time of my visit because of the hard rain, so it was actually a blessing in disguise. On my way up, I saw signs that indicated the approximate wait time from certain spots in line which reminded me of amusement park rides. I appreciated that the line up to the top isn't just a line, but an opportunity to check out different sections of the castle and read the informational plaques on your way up. The stairwells are narrow, steep and definitely not appropriate for those that are mobility impaired. The actual kissing of the stone was very quick and honestly I felt pressured to get in and out because the employees looked miserable in the heavy rain and would just shout "next!" after each person. I couldn't even reach the stone! But at least I got some photos (you are allowed to take photos on your own camera, but you can purchase the "official" photos at the end too). The official photos are quite grainy and also expensive, so I opted out. Overall, if you're visiting Blarney Castle & Gardens just to kiss the stone, the steep admission price (not including the paid parking) may not be worth the stop. However, the grounds includes many other attractions besides the castle, including plenty of walking trails, a Poison Garden, and even a cave. I came towards the end of the day and the rain was nonstop, so I only got to check out some of the other attractions, though I would've stayed a lot longer under better circumstances.

I went to Farran Wood with my husband recently and I'm so glad that I did. There is plenty of…read moreparking, toilets and a playground. I found this place to be beautiful and looking forward to going back again

FARRAN WOOD Been a while since I visited Farran Wood or…read moreFarran Forest Park to give it its full title. It is signposted from the main Cork-Macroom Road at Srelane (Ovens) and the entry fee is a fiver per vehicle. There is plenty of parking, toilets and a playground. The first and probably main attraction is the wildlife enclosure with large pond. Here, the red and fallow deer (including some very young inquisitive animals) come right up to the fence to say hello. The pond attracts duck and geese. There are two signed walks around the wood, the longer of which takes you down to the banks of the Inniscarra Reservoir, where the River Llee is held up to form a lake. The National Rowing Centre, which has its own entrance, is located within the park on the shores of the lake. Enjoyed my walk around the other day, even though the rain came down before the finish. Still, there was ample shelter under the trees. Headed then for the old shooting lodge which has been converted into a woodland ecology display centre but that was locked up. Temporary or permanent? There was no sign up but I have sent a query off to the Coillte and I'll let you know the answer.

An unassuming park just off the market where we enjoyed a tasty lunch of items procured steps away…read more Delicious cheeses, olives and produce a gem of a stop. So happy we stumbled upon these grounds.

BISHOP LUCEY PARK The small rectangle known as Bishop Lucey…read morePark is hardly worthy of the "park" designation. But its city centre situation has its advantages. It borders the newly broadened footpath of the Grand Parade (and its convenient coffee dock) and is just across the way from the English Market. So, on a good day, you can grab a snack and a drink and go to one of the many seats in the tree shaded park for a mid-day "picnic". I did just that during one of the recent festivals: I picked up my sausage on a stick (by O'Flynn's) and enjoyed the break before heading back to the festival action. It may be small but the City Council say it is "widely used" "The old City Wall was located during construction and is featured prominently near the impressive arched entrance. A short walk past colourful flowerbeds and shrubberies leads to an elegant fountain near the South Main Street exit." The fountain is by John Behan and there is also a piece (the Onion Seller) by well loved local sculptor Seamus Murphy.