Only GPS or a local can guide you to this spot. Beautiful cascading views from the Ardkilly Creek…read moreto the Atlantic Ocean. 5 generations of land owners surround the natural beauty, and swimmers come from afar and local to swim around the island. Kayak and standup boards can be used along these calm waters. Parking is limited, and the roads are tight but well worth the trip.

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.

Came by today for an excursion. The wildlife preserve was amazing. Having been to zoos in the US,…read morethis park was amazing as it provided closer access to the wildlife without plexiglass and large barriers. There was over 108 species on site. The grounds were very clean and well maintained. I had an amazing time seeing all the animals up close and highly recommended Fota to travelers visiting Cork.

We love visiting zoos and this one is very well maintained and reasonably priced. An easy train…read moreride from Cork City which stops right at the Zoo entrance. The park is well maintained and an easy loop trail gets you up and close with the animals. We are most impressed with the free roaming (careless) Lemurs who would walk right around you and up the walls and doors as you toured their exhibit. Very cool. They also have feeding opportunities for giraffes. We enjoyed the cool grounds and various animals.

FOUNTAINSTOWN Fountainstown, let's face it, is not the…read moreprettiest of beaches. But it does have a bus service from the city and also has a large car park. It has been popular for decades and that is still the case. There is sand enough there but on my recent visit, it was covered in seaweed. In fairness, a clean-up is scheduled. There are also a fair share of small stones there and one would have thought it possible they could be periodically cleared with a tractor and rake. Maybe it is done early in the season. In any case there is more than enough to keep the kids going here. One of the main attractions, as it has been over the years, is the huge number of little pools left in the rocks as the tide retreats, more than enough to occupy the inquisitive children, not to mention the parents. Oh by the way. There was a small amount of litter there but nothing major. A good clean-up of the seaweed and this great little destination, which also has a little shop and cafe, would be in great shape for what is left of the "Indian" summer.

Food is garbage but the accommodations are nice. The room is beautiful but the water pressure in…read morethe bathroom is meh considering it's an open shower and gets very cold.

Lovely course at a great price. Set aside rolling country hills, this is a nicely maintained course…read morerun by some nice folks. Lots of thick green rough can be challenging for those that stray from the fairway, but we still had a great time playing.

Fantastic location for the family. I actually can't say enough positive things about this place…read more It is €9 per adult and €9 per child but you get so much from animals to play areas for kids young and old. Go early to make the most of it and bring a packed lunch. Don't forget to buy some of their new icecream made using their very own cows; delish.

Great place to spend a wet Saturday!!There's a massive three-story indoor play area that my 2 year…read moreold daughter adored. We got to see lots and lots of farmyard animals including Stevie and Mags - two little lambs. Also Humphrey a retired camel, a cow and newborn calf, pigs and piglets and birds of all shapes and sizes. The ride on the barrel train was great fun. The restaurant had good quality sandwiches, burgers and snacks which were fresh and tasty. All in all a great day out!!

ATLANTIC POND Back in the good old days, middle of the last…read morecentury, the Atlantic Pond, close to the main GAA stadium, was a handy destination for car-less families seeking relief from the heat of the city and many a picnic of sandwiches and tea was enjoyed on its green grassy banks. The pond deteriorated after that but in recent years, the City Council have done much to restore it. The birds are back and enjoying life on the clean water and there are paths around the lake and besides you have the long walks on the Marina close at hand. The birds aren't quite as plentiful as they are in the Lough but today's visit indicated that this pleasant spot is attracting families once again and quite a few walkers and runners.

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.