Sightseeing
The village of duncormick does not have a lot, but it does have a gorgeous little river walk complete with fairy-trail and an ancient well.
When you get to the village, drive over the bridge and park in the tiny car park on the left. The trail is around 400m long, runs by the river, up steps, through a leafy tunnel and to the well. It's a lovely little walk for the kids.
Duncormick
The village of duncormick does not have a lot, but it does have a gorgeous little river walk complete with fairy-trail and an ancient well.
When you get to the village, drive over the bridge and park in the tiny car park on the left. The trail is around 400m long, runs by the river, up steps, through a leafy tunnel and to the well. It's a lovely little walk for the kids.
This is less visited than Kilmore Quay strand but is a fabulous sandy beach. It has a well-kept toilet block and a short walk along the coast leads past the "Shell House" featured in the photo, which was decorated with shells found on the beach over a roughly 6 years period by the late owner.
6 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Cullenstown Beach
This is less visited than Kilmore Quay strand but is a fabulous sandy beach. It has a well-kept toilet block and a short walk along the coast leads past the "Shell House" featured in the photo, which was decorated with shells found on the beach over a roughly 6 years period by the late owner.
This is a lovely facility. Apart from tours of the castle, there are a lake walks, a woodland play ground for kids, a walled garden, a museum of Irish Country Life and a large cafe with outdoor and indoor seating. Great drizzly-day option. Dogs allowed.
66 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Johnstown Castle
This is a lovely facility. Apart from tours of the castle, there are a lake walks, a woodland play ground for kids, a walled garden, a museum of Irish Country Life and a large cafe with outdoor and indoor seating. Great drizzly-day option. Dogs allowed.
The hook lighthouse is not only the oldest lightest in the world, but it is located on a fabulous strech of coastline.
The tour takes an hour and is well worth it (and child friendly, our two year old looooves it). Sign up when you arrive, they start every half hour (5 euro a head or something like that.)
After the tour, take a walk along the cliffs. On a rough day, the waves surge up through the sea stacks and its pretty spectacular to see.
There's also a coffee shop with a hot buffet breakfast option, chowder, sandwiches etc.
158 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Il-Fanal tal-Hook
The hook lighthouse is not only the oldest lightest in the world, but it is located on a fabulous strech of coastline.
The tour takes an hour and is well worth it (and child friendly, our two year old looooves it). Sign up when you arrive, they start every half hour (5 euro a head or something like that.)
After the tour, take a walk along the cliffs. On a rough day, the waves surge up through the sea stacks and its pretty spectacular to see.
There's also a coffee shop with a hot buffet breakfast option, chowder, sandwiches etc.
Food scene
Eat in or take out, either way you have to try it, it is, quite simlpy, the best chippers in Ireland. Don't go for the snack box option., go for the cod goujons or monkfish. And do not queue. Call an hour in advance and set a time to collect, on busy days, if you drop in, you can wait up to an hour!
22 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Saltee Chipper
Eat in or take out, either way you have to try it, it is, quite simlpy, the best chippers in Ireland. Don't go for the snack box option., go for the cod goujons or monkfish. And do not queue. Call an hour in advance and set a time to collect, on busy days, if you drop in, you can wait up to an hour!
Local walks
One km from the cottage is an estuary, known locally as "The Cull", teeming with birdlife. It's very quite, only local's use it, but its very beautiful and peaceful.
To get there: Leaving the cottage, turn right. After less than 1km there is a small road on the left. It winds through houses and farms for 400m before coming to an end at a slip way. From here you can do a 40min looped walk, following the sea wall on the right, along the estuary and then along the canal bank until you reach the road. Turn right here and walk along the road for half a km until you find the road on the right to bring you back to the estuary once again.
Duncormick
One km from the cottage is an estuary, known locally as "The Cull", teeming with birdlife. It's very quite, only local's use it, but its very beautiful and peaceful.
To get there: Leaving the cottage, turn right. After less than 1km there is a small road on the left. It winds through houses and farms for 400m before coming to an end at a slip way. From here you can do a 40min looped walk, following the sea wall on the right, along the estuary and then along the canal bank until you reach the road. Turn right here and walk along the road for half a km until you find the road on the right to bring you back to the estuary once again.
This is an easy 2 hour walk from the cottage that brings you past the estuary, through a farmland, dunes and out onto the beach to Kilmore Quay.
From the cottage, turn left and walk the 700m to the intersection. Turn right. After 100m there is a small lane on the right at the bend in the road. Take this lane. After 500m, jump the gate and walk to the estuary. From here, take the estuary wall on the left and follow it until you get to the turn-stile. You are now at the back of the dune system. Here, I suggest nipping out onto the beach for a look, as you are 4km along a strand and you feel like the only person in the world. However, to get back to Kilmore Quay, I suggest going back to the turn stile and picking up the "little yellow man" path that leads along the back of the dunes for a few kilometers. Eventually you will reach another walker's path which will take you out onto the beach and back to Kilmore Quay for a pint!
60 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Kilmore Quay
This is an easy 2 hour walk from the cottage that brings you past the estuary, through a farmland, dunes and out onto the beach to Kilmore Quay.
From the cottage, turn left and walk the 700m to the intersection. Turn right. After 100m there is a small lane on the right at the bend in the road. Take this lane. After 500m, jump the gate and walk to the estuary. From here, take the estuary wall on the left and follow it until you get to the turn-stile. You are now at the back of the dune system. Here, I suggest nipping out onto the beach for a look, as you are 4km along a strand and you feel like the only person in the world. However, to get back to Kilmore Quay, I suggest going back to the turn stile and picking up the "little yellow man" path that leads along the back of the dunes for a few kilometers. Eventually you will reach another walker's path which will take you out onto the beach and back to Kilmore Quay for a pint!
Tintern Abbey has multiple trails through ancient forest, really lush and green, with a river flowing through. You can chose longer or shorter trails, they are all sign posted. After, there is a coffee shop that does belgian waffles...
82 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey has multiple trails through ancient forest, really lush and green, with a river flowing through. You can chose longer or shorter trails, they are all sign posted. After, there is a coffee shop that does belgian waffles...
Local Village
Bridgetown is a cute little village with a tiny second-hand book shop, an old-school pub (there are groceries for sale among the pints), a cafe and a playground. It's the closest place for a local Centra shop and ATM.
Bridgetown
Bridgetown is a cute little village with a tiny second-hand book shop, an old-school pub (there are groceries for sale among the pints), a cafe and a playground. It's the closest place for a local Centra shop and ATM.
Family friendly activities
Great for kids!
There are all sorts of animals, along with bouncing castles, a shop where you can buy farm produce and a cafe. The kids absolutely love it there.
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Ballycross Apple Farm
Great for kids!
There are all sorts of animals, along with bouncing castles, a shop where you can buy farm produce and a cafe. The kids absolutely love it there.