The Ring of Cork

Everyone is familiar with The Ring of Kerry, the stunning scenic driving route that begins in Killarney and takes in so many of Ireland’s finest natural attractions, such as the Lakes of Killarney, Molls Gap and Torc Waterfall. But did you know that we have our own similarly impressive route known as The Ring of Cork?

The Ring of Cork is the spectacular East Cork route that encompasses all of the outlying areas around Cork City. Starting in Youghal, The Ring of Cork brings you on a superb tour of East Cork, as you travel down through Killeagh and Castlemartyr on down to the delightful seaside towns of Shanagarry and Ballycottton. You can follow the coastal roads along to Cobh, Crosshaven and Carrigaline, which is a beautfiul stretch of land adorned with notable landmarks, such as the Ballycottton Lighthouse and Cork Harbour.

After this, the route becomes more urbanised, as you progress through the charming villages of Douglas and Ballincollig, either side of Cork City. The final stretch will take you as far north as Watergrasshill and the classic Cork countryside, before making your way through the serene riverside drive from Glanmire and Little Island on to Carrigtohill and Midleton. Take a day (or a week to really get into it) to truly appreciate the natural wonders that are lying right on the doorstep to Cork City.

The Ring of Cork brings East Cork together in many ways. These local communities are bound together, near neighbours in many cases. They have a collective need, with everything from the local farmers and fishermen supplying the Midleton Farmer’s Market with produce to the people, locals and tourists alike, who travel from one town to another to visit their beaches, their walking trails and their festivals.

The Ring of Cork brings people from all over out to see all the best bits of East Cork, where they may not have come before. Whether it be to visit The Jameson Distillery in Midleton, Ballymaloe House and cookery school or Fota Wildlife Park, or any of the other great destinations in East Cork, everyone is benefiting from the great communal development from The Ring of Cork. Anyone who can promote all the great parts of Cork gets a big thumbs up from all of us at Discovering Cork.