Adventure at the heart of Munster
On the borders of counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary lies a land of undulating green pastures, woodlands, hills and mountains just waiting to be explored.
The land is Ballyhoura country, an ancient and unspoilt rural landscape sitting right at the heart of Munster.
With an abundance of heritage sites, outdoor activities and the friendliest of locals, Ballyhoura is the perfect place to discover rural Ireland. Your biggest challenge may be deciding where to start!
For the adventurous at heart, why not take on some of Ballyhoura’s famous mountain bike trails which make up the most extensive network of its kind in the country. The 98km network is divided into sections catering for every level of experience out there.
Or, if water based activities are more your thing, then stick on your wetsuit and head to Ballyhass Lakes Adventure Centre, home to Ireland's largest wakeboarding cable park.
For those in search of a more relaxing and spiritual experience, Patrick Mulcahy, also known as the Mindful Farmer, holds unique mindfulness and meditation weekend retreats at Ballinwillin House and Farm to nourish the mind and body.
Guests at the luxury 18th-century country house on the edge of Mitchelstown are free to roam the 80 acres of rich pasture land before enjoying one of Patrick’s handcrafted artisan meals.
On top of everything else, Ballyhoura country is deeply rich in history and folklore. Walkers on the Blackrock Loop will scale to the highest point in the Ballyhoura Mountains to 'Finn's seat' where the giant Finn McCool is said to have sat to wash his feet in the River Shannon.
More recent history enthusiasts can walk in the footsteps of former president Eamon de Valera with a visit to the village of Bruree in Limerick where he was born and spent his childhood.
Ballyhoura has a wide range of hospitality and accommodation options from self-catering and B&Bs to the luxury of Longueville House and its onsite falconry and fly fishing. It’s truly a hidden gem and it’s easy to access from Cork city.