Awaken Your Senses in North County Cork
Fermoy – Mitchelstown - Glanworth – Castletownroche – Mallow
Get off the beaten track to connect with vibrant communities, see incredible castles, meander along riverside walks, embrace nature and eat some of Ireland’s BEST food.Day 1
Fermoy
Start a new day in scenic Fermoy – a bustling town with a vibrant community on the majestic River Blackwater - overlooked by centuries-old castles and round towers.
Call into the Fermoy Community Tourism Office to chat with locals and pick up an illustrated ‘Historic Map of Fermoy.’ Explore the 38 listed points of interest on a leisurely walk taking in the 5-storey high Fermoy Mill (1802) the Courthouse (1805), the towering Carrigabrick Castle and the iconic 7-arched Fermoy Bridge (1864) that spans the Blackwater River, connecting both sides of the town.
TIP: Spot anglers who come from all over the world to fish in one of Europe’s best coarse and game angling spots.
TIP: Don’t miss Blackwater Valley Makers with exquisite pieces by local designers and artists
Golf
Get active at Fermoy Golf Club at the heart of town living. Here experts, novices, seniors and juniors with a serious or casual interest in golf are welcome to play or have a lesson.
Rated one of Ireland’s top 100 golf courses, the mature, 18-hole, par 70 heathland course is located just outside the town on the southern slopes of Corrin Hill. Listed as one of Ireland’s top hidden gems, the course boasts commanding views of the Blackwater Valley. Restaurant, shop and clubhouse on-site.
Insider Tips
1. Check out live music performances at The Richmond Revival (pictured), in Fermoy town centre.
2. Call into Hanna's Café and Bistro to sample their delicious eat-in or take-out menu.
3. The Heron Café is a family run café adjacent to the River Blackwater with a beautiful shop front – serving great coffee, sweets and savouries.
4. Ask locals about the Barnane Walk (located right of the rowing club, the walk parallels the River Blackwater), stopping at St Bernard’s Holy Well along the way.
5. Get the best coffee by the big-hearted Cork coffee gurus at Priory Coffee Fermoy
Day 2
Mighty Mitchelstown
Travel onwards to Mighty Mitchelstown, one of Ireland’s finest Georgian towns.
Set against the majestic Ballyhoura and Galtee Mountains, the town is celebrated for award-winning food, characterful shops, and breathtaking scenery
Food Glorious Food
Plan your edible adventure with stop-offs at award-winning local artisans. Start by popping into the family-owned O'Callaghan's Café & Delicatessen for local produce from their eat-in or takeaway menu. For coffee lovers The Town Coffee Company is a must. Continue with honey truffles at Praline Pastry & Chocolate Shop before visiting Eight Degrees Brewing to tour this independent micro-brewery, founded in Mitchelstown for the purity of the Galtee Mountains' Blue Dot water and named for its 8-degree location.
Nearby, Praline Pastry offers hands-on chocolate and pastry experiences in a state-of-the-art studio. Praline partners with local producers including Eight Degrees and Galtee Honey, and seasonal pop-up afternoon tea events at Barnahown give guests the chance to meet the chef and enjoy creative regional flavours.
Nourish The Body & Mind
Time permitting, nourish the body and mind by booking an experience or multi-day retreat with the Mindful Farmer at Ballinwillin Farm. Enjoy a Farm Tour with tasting of farm produce and award-winning artisan wines direct from the on-site cellar. Diverse experiences offered: accommodation, tours, retrEATS – check out the website for availability and private experiences
Mingle and Stroll
Or mingle among locals, strolling through Mitchelstown to uncover its contemporary story rooted in a Georgian past. Guided by Mitchelstown historic town map discover more than 30 landmark sites such as the Market House (1823) and the elegant King Square (1770s). Catch an evening sunset on the Attychraan Loop - starting at Galtee Wood (10Km north east of Mitchelstown) through the Ballyhoura Mountains with stunning views of the Galtee Mountains. End a busy day on a high note with a meal celebrating North Cork ingredients in Market Place Restaurant or Hunters Pub & Restaurant on the Main Street
Insider Tips
1. Catch a music gig or show St Georges Art & Heritage Centre (pictured).
2. Enjoy community vibes and great coffee at The Town Coffee Co.
3. Visit Mitchelstown Caves – a limestone cave with a magical, intricate cave system: 16km from Mitchelstown town centre
4. Check out pop up events like Yoga and Afternoon Tea at Barnahown
Day 3
Glanworth to Mallow
Discover charming rural villages with romantic castles,
ending in beautiful Mallow town, rich in history and Ireland’s horse-racing tradition.
Make way for Glanworth village - follow the steps via the Mill by the riverbank to view the 12th century Glanworth Castle (pictured), a stunning Norman castle perched on the cliff top above the River Funshion. See also the 16th Century Glanworth Abbey and Glanworth Bridge reputed to be the oldest and narrowest public bridge in Europe.
Castletownroche
Continue onward to the picturesque village of Castletownroche. Set on The River Awbeg surrounded by rolling green fields and woodlands, this is the perfect place for a stroll in nature. Garden lovers will not want to miss Annes Grove Gardens with its exotic collection of plants.
Check out Rock Forest Bar or the Castle Arms for a drink and chat with the locals. For a delicious lunch, check out Thatch and Thyme in Kildorrery village.
Mallow
End your north Cork adventure in Mallow - a great market town with a rich food history. For a delicious lunch, try Brudairs Bakery on Main Street – a hive of local activity. The Globe Cafe is a great spot for sweet treats and savouries or the Arches Bar & Restaurant serves all-day menu and carvery lunch.
The 3.4km Slí na Sláinte community walking route marked by colourful posts is the best way to meet locals, explore Mallow and work off a hearty meal! Ask locals to point you to the Town Park where the route begins.
Don’t miss the 16th century Mallow Castle overlooking the River Blackwater. If you are lucky, you will spot some white fallow deer roaming these historic grounds.
Insider Tips
1. When in Glanworth Village, a short 2KM/3-minute detour brings you to Labbacallee Wedge Tomb (known as the Hag’s Bed) the largest of Ireland’s wedge tombs
2. Enroute from Glanworth to Castletownroche, stop in Ballyhooly village at Castleblagh Woods: moderate 2.5KM walk encompassing part of the epic Blackwater Way-Avondhu Way.
3. Spot the 12th century Blackwater Castle (pictured), the spectacular home of the former Viscount of Fermoy (available for private hire)
