More coast than most

With over 1,000 kilometres of breath-taking coastline, Cork is the perfect place to plan your first seaside staycation of the year.

With 26 pristine beaches, countless beauty spots and more picturesque towns and villages than you can shake a selfie stick at, Cork’s coastline really does have it all. Act fast though, because with hotels and B&Bs getting ready to fling their doors wide open next month, things could fill up quickly in the county’s more popular spots.

Take Bantry for example, a beautiful harbour town in the west of the county, home to the ancient Kilnaruane Pillar Stone and the stately Bantry House and its incredible views out over the bay. Or what about the vibrant and history-rich town of Skibbereen with its fascinating heritage centre and saltwater Lough Hyne, Ireland’s first marine nature reserve.

Then you have Baltimore, Schull, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty, Kinsale, Glandore, Ballycotton, Youghal; like the coastline itself, the list of beautiful towns and villages goes on and on, each with their own identity and unique attractions. If it’s a driving trip you’re after, then you’ll probably want to head west. We’ve all heard of the ring of Kerry, but what about the Ring of Beara?

Also known as the Beara Peninsula drive, the route follows 137 kilometres of wild and beautiful coastline from Glengarriff to Dursey Island and then up to Kenmare in county Kerry with loads of places to stop and things to do along the way.

Of course, Cork isn’t all coastline, but for those of us who haven’t seen the sea yet in 2021, it’s the obvious choice, especially when you live in a county as bountiful in that department as Cork is.