Outdoor Experiences To Enjoy In Cork While Social Distancing

Getting out and about is very important during these unusual times.  Whether you are working from home or just bored of being at home and looking at the same four walls, then we have some great ideas for socially distanced experiences to enjoy.  Here is a great list of places you could visit to get some much needed fresh-air and time outside of the house, but more specifically in the Rebel County of Cork:

Fota Gardens

Fota Gardens is located on Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, located about 16 kilometres from Cork City.  Their arboretum is internationally recognised and there is also a 19th Century estate located at the centre of the garden which houses the Bakestone Café so you can get a takeaway coffee while you go for a stroll through Fota’s beautiful gardens.

Barleycove Beach

Barleycove beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in County Cork and is located between the headlands of the Mizen Peninsula in West Cork.  The beach is great for surfing, swimming or if you just want to simply go for a walk or get some fresh air before you go to your next destination…. Mizen Head.

Mizen Head

Mizen Head is Ireland’s most south westerly point, and as you would guess,  yes Mizen Head is located in West Cork.  A full visit to Mizen head takes about 2 hours with absolutely stunning views on offer.  There is also a café and a gift shop located here to remember the trip.

Ballycotton Cliff Walk

The Ballycotton Cliff Walk is a 4.6 mile trail located in the beautiful Ballycotton in East Cork.  It offers breathtaking views like no other.  The walk might be slightly too long for some people but trust us the time flies.  The walk ends at the gorgeous Ballyandreen beach which is perfect for a picnic to end your walk.

Fitzgerald’s Park

This one is for the city dwellers.  Fitzgerald’s Park is located in Cork City Centre on the Mardyke.  The perfect place to go and just chill out.  Just a short distance from the UCC campus this beautiful park is open to the public and is perfect for social distancing. 

Old Head of Kinsale

Old Head of Kinsale is one of the most scenic places in the whole of Ireland nevermind Cork.  Start your 10 kilometre walk at the car park, to Garrettstown beach.  The walk will take you approximately 3 hours.  It might sound like a lot but if you are in the mood for a walk then look no further than the Old Head of Kinsale.  We promise you won’t regret going to this gorgeous location.

*Please bear in mind the latest COVID – 19 restrictions when considering these suggestions. Please visit www.gov.ie for the most up-to-date guidelines.

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Top Reasons To Choose An Escorted Bus Tour Of Ireland

How can you see the length and breadth of Ireland in a limited number of days with comfort, safety and peace of mind? Our escorted bus tours are the perfect way to see a number of key locations and attractions without the hassle and fuss of planning routes, organising tickets and sourcing convenient accommodation. A vacation is supposed to be a carefree and relaxed excursion and at Discovering Ireland we take pride in making your enjoyment our priority. We also have amazing tours of Britain and Scotland.

One of our most popular packages is the ‘Taste of Ireland’ which is a 5 day vacation. This tour allows visitors to see popular sightseeing locations such as the Guinness Storehouses in Dublin, but also bespoke and intimate experiences such as sheepdog trials in the Ring of Kerry. Below we have listed just a few of the benefits of an escorted tour with Discovering Ireland.

1. Carefree Vacation Experience

The planning, organising and effort of personally trying to see Ireland in under one week can be a daunting task. Attempting it without help has a significant chance of sucking the joy out of the experience. Ireland has ever changing weather conditions, small narrow country roads and despite our size on a map, it can take some time to see it all! Taking a package with us ensures that you have expert advice at all times with proven enjoyable and experience driven schedules that work! In 2021 there is no reason to leave your enjoyment and experiences to chance. From the Ring of Kerry to Dublin and Connemara to Blarney Castle we have it all.

2. Sightseeing in comfort and style

Whether it’s your first trip to Ireland or a seasonal visit, Ireland has so many things to see and do, it can be difficult to get around to everything. From Dublin city centre to Killarney National Park and everything in between, our Irish tours are packed with attractions and activities. Our private tours come with first class, superior hotel rooms and our fleet of coaches are best in class ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience from start to finish. Meals are also included in this package, meaning you can tuck into tender Irish Angus beef in the Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin, eat like royalty at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet or enjoy a delectable table d’hote dinner in Killarney.

3. Expert Knowledge

Our escorted tours are accompanied with an expert guide ensuring that you gain the absolute most out of every minute. We have learned from thousands of vacations what works and what doesn’t. Within each package is a clearly set out itinerary that ensures you have the most optimal and engaging experience, getting insider local knowledge about sights and beating the queues. We have done all the hard work so you can simply sit back and take it all in without missing a moment!

4. Make Unforgettable Memories

Travelling on our coach tours is an amazing group experience. Friendships blossom and many activities are made all the richer when enjoyed as part of a group. Whether travelling alone or as a couple, having that added social experience is a true joy when in the company of fun, like minded travellers. You will never be stuck for a person to take a photo of you, watch over your items for a minute or share a laugh and a story with while taking part in an activity or visiting the many attractions.

5. Value for money

At Discovering Ireland we have long-established working relationships and agreements with key players in the hospitality industry, to get the best deal on ticket prices and tourist attractions. This, along with our group sizes allow us to avail of unique discounts and added perks for our customers to enjoy. Don’t let the cost steal the enjoyment from your vacation, book with Discovering Ireland to get the best Irish vacation rates possible.


Email: info@discoveringireland.com or call us on one of our Toll Free Numbers found on our website.

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The 5 Top Drives To Enjoy While On A Chauffeur Driven Tour

Sit back, relax and let someone else take the wheel this vacation. Chauffeur driven tours would have been seen as quite exclusive in the past, but they are steadily becoming more popular with visitors embarking on trips to Ireland as each year passes.  We think of it as the clever choice; enjoy Ireland tours in the comfort of our modern fleet of exclusive vehicles from a driver with expert local knowledge. Never let unpredictable weather, road conditions, a wrong turn or a drink with your meal phase you again. Whether you would like to do sightseeing Ireland vacations or if you have a customized trip based around your areas of interest, we have something for everyone. Popular hobby tours include golfing tours and whiskey tours! A frequently asked question, especially from American guests is “how much should I tip a chauffeur ?”. Generally tips are not expected but if desired at the end of a tour it is always greatly appreciated by drivers. Below we have listed 5 amazing scenic drives and ideas to inspire you when planning an Irish chauffeur driven tour.

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Ireland’s hidden gems

Ireland is full of incredible experiences and hidden gems perfect for those considering embarking on Ireland tours. When looking for things to do in Ireland in 2021 look no further! We have compiled a list of perfect Irish vacation ideas for you to choose from for your next holiday. Ireland has some of Europe’s best tourist attractions but there are some exceptional hidden gems located on the road less traveled.

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Top 10 things to do along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2600 km touring route along the West Coast of Ireland. A popular choice for those on a vacation in Ireland and for self drive tours, it it known to be one of the longest defined coastal route in the world. The route winds it’s way all along the Irish west coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north down to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south. Here we have put together our top picks for things to do along the Wild Atlantic Way.

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Best outdoor dining locations in Ireland

Ireland has some incredible outdoor dining locations that can be enjoyed whilst on Ireland vacations. From country house hotels to award winning restaurants and castles in Ireland there really is something for everyone. With this in mind we have have compiled into a list of outdoor dining options for your enjoyment. Each of these eateries can be enjoyed whilst on Ireland tours however pre booking is advised.

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Best driving routes in Ireland’s Ancient East

A popular choice for those considering a Ireland vacations, the East Coast of Ireland is breathtakingly beautiful no matter the weather. Ireland’s Ancient East is home to some of the country’s most incredible natural vistas, ancient historic locations and most famous tourist attractions. When embarking on Ireland tours a road trip through this scenic and captivating destination is a must. We have created several Ireland trips which you may choose to pick from or use as a combined break!

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Top Driving Route in Clare

When it comes to trips to Ireland, uncover the incredible ‘banner county’ of Clare. This incredible location is the perfect destination for a self drive tour of Ireland with widely varying and breathtakingly stunning views, rugged coastlines and remarkable wild terrain. Clare’s rugged coastline is also part of The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance touring route stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork. A popular choice for those on Ireland tours, it is the world’s longest touring route through some of Ireland’s most beautiful places. Fill up your, grab some snacks, plan your playlist and buckle up as you will love this exceptional driving route.

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Highlights of Dublin

The ‘Fair City’ is not just Ireland’s capital city, it’s a remarkable tourist attraction destination that’s a popular stop off for those embarking on trips to Ireland. This city has a vast amount of attractions all located near or within the city centre making for convenient and easy access mostly by foot, exceptional public transport or car. When it comes to Ireland travel its easy to see why Dublin is one of the most popular stop offs with it’s invigorating, culturally rich atmosphere. There are simply too many things on offer in Dublin to list, however we have decided to compile a ‘must-see’ highlights list to ensure you have the most incredible time whilst on Ireland vacations.

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Top 10 family things to do in Ireland…

It doesn’t have to be a real challenge to keep the whole family happy during trips to Ireland. With a bit of planning (and our help!) you can make endless memories and have incredible fun while on a vacation to Ireland. Below we have made the perfect top 10 list that are simply guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face while embarking on Ireland travel.

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