24 hours in

Fruit, cups and juice - River Lee room service

08:00

The River Lee Room Service

Pre-empt moans and groans by ordering room service. We’re yet to discover the malaise that cannot be alleviated by breakfast in bed.


The River Lee, Western Road, Cork

doylecollection.com/riverlee

Outside the River Lee

9:30

Ready, Steady, GO!

Rustle your family downstairs and head for the car. Don’t forget the sun cream (you never know!) – and car snacks.


The River Lee, Western Road, Cork

 

Blarney Castle

10:00

All Blarney

Traffic permitting, 20 minutes will take you to Blarney Castle. It’s worth doing the full tour and rising to the ramparts before lying back and kissing the stone.


Blarney, Cork, Ireland

BlarneyCastle.ie

Street with colourful buildings

11.30

Drive Time

Turn around and take the N71 to Kinsale. Forty minutes should see you there.


Cork

View of the hills and lake

12:15

Kinsale Museum

Have a wander around town and visit The Kinsale Museum, set in a Courthouse built back in 1600 – with an idiosyncratic collection spanning the Spanish Armada to the Lusitania, by way of the boots of Patrick Cotter O’Brien, AKA the Kinsale Giant.


Emmet Place, Kinsale, Co. Cork
P17 C973

Kinsale.ie

People talking outside a restaurant

13:30

Lunch Stop

In Kinsale, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food of any sort, and there are cafes aplenty. Gourmets love Saint Francis Provisions on Short Quan (all ham hock terrine and seaweed sourdough), less fancy palates prefer Main Street’s Lemon Leaf Café while, if you’re dining out, try the iconic Bulman pub by Charles Fort for a pint of the black stuff and the freshest oysters imaginable.


Summercove, Kinsale, Cork, Ireland

TheBulman.ie

Charles Fort

15:00

Charles Fort

The storied 17th-Century fortress on Kinsale harbour is star-shaped like Michelangelo’s bastion fortresses of Firenze from over a century earlier. Go! Ramble the ramparts. Take in the epic views.

Photo credit: heritageireland.ie


Summercove, Kinsale, Co. Cork

heritageireland.ie

View of greenery and the sea

16:30

Loop the Loop

A short drive takes you to the Old Head of Kinsale. The 3.7-mile loop might be too long but do explore the ancient Celtic ruins and famous lighthouse.


Kinsale, Cork

Dinner at The River Lee

19:00

Dinner on The River

Head home for a leisurely dinner on The River Club Terrace and a very good night’s sleep.


The River Lee, Western Road, Cork

theriverclubcork.ie