Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention beyond Munster ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures

 Immerse yourself in the epic adventure of 1796 which includes an individual sound tour, complete with accompanying music and sound effects available in a choice of different languages.
 

Barryscourt Castle is the 16th century seat of the Barry family. It has been extensively restored with fittings and furnishings reinstated and a tea house is in the courtyard. Access to the Castle is by Guided Tour only – Max No. 15. Average Length of visit 1 Hour All groups of 15 must be pre-booked.

Belvelly Castle is a typical medieval square tower dating from the fifteenth century, located in magnificent natural scenery. It stands on a very narrow piece of land, bounded by Belvelly bridge road on one side and the shore on the other. Described as “in ruins” since the middle of the nineteenth century, it can still be considered as in a reasonably good state of preservation for such an ancient building.

Blackrock Castle Observatory is a 16th century castle located about 2km from the heart of Cork city on the banks of the river Lee.

Castlemartyr (Baile na Martra) is a breathtaking destination richly steeped in Emerald Isle history and tradition. The castle - from which the village of Castlemartyr takes its name - was first built in 1210 by knights under the leadership of Richard Earl de Clare, more commonly known as Strongbow. The castle and its lands belonged to the Knights Templar - among the most famous of the Christian military orders. In the centuries that followed, the lands changed hands many times, among owners that included Sir Walter Raleigh and Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork. It was under Boyle's stewardship that the construction of the magnificent Manor House occurred in the 17th century. Painstakingly restored to its original grandeur, the Manor House now forms the centre piece of the Castlemartyr Resort.

Charles Fort is a classic example of a star-shaped fort and has five bastions, constructed in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier coastal fortification
 

The City Hall Anglesea Street Cork City is the headquarters of Cork Corporation and city administration. The fine concert hall in the building is the venue for concerts, festivals and functions. The City Hall was opened in 1936 and replaced the previous structure that was burned down on 11 September 1920. It was designed by Architects Jones and Kelly and the six limestone Tuscan pillars and copper-domed clock tower are particularly impressive by night. 

Located 2km from Cork's main thoroughfare, this castle like prison once housed 19th C. prisoners, often in wretched conditions. Wandering through the wings of Cork City Gaol, the atmosphere suggests you are accompanied by the shuffling feet of inmates, each representing their particular period in Irish history from pre-famine times to the foundation of the State.

Desmond Castle has had a colourful history, ranging from Spanish occupation in 1601 to use as a prison for captured American sailors during the American War of Independence.
 

Welcome to Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens. The House was taken into care of the Irish Heritage Trust in December 2007 and has gone through tremendous change ever since. The house re-opened to the public in April 2009 after a major restoration project undertaken by the Trust during the winter of 2008/9. The Trust is proud that this architectural masterpiece and treasure house of art can now be enjoyed and celebrated by everyone.

Kanturk Castle is rectangular in shape with massive square towers at each corner. The main block has four storeys, the towers have five. There is a fine Renaissance door in the first floor on the north side and a more traditional pointed door on the ground floor on the south side. The flat 'Burgundian' arch is a feature of the ground-floor windows, while those on the upper storey and Tudor with two or three mullion. The castle has a remarkable number of well-preserved fireplaces. This building is an interesting combination of the traditional Irish tower-house architecture with pointed arches and the new Tudor architecture with Renaissance doorways and mullioned windows.