County Cork

Cork is the largest and one of the most diverse county in Ireland. Plains, mountain ranges, cliffs and beaches create the varied landscape of the county Cork. To the east, you encounter the charming harbor towns as Cobh, Youghal or Kinsale, which hides the stories from the times of the first Viking raids by period of growth and prosperity (extensive trade with ports all over Europe in the 18th century) to the times of the great emigration to North America(Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million Irish people who emigrated between 1848 and 1950). The wildlife enthusiasts shouldn't miss Fota Wildlife Park which is home to many exotic species of mammals(including giraffe, european bison, cheetah...), birds and plants. West Cork is the county's most remote and wild region. Rocky, mountainous Peninsulas are swept into the ocean creating a jagged coastline. Mizen Peninsula with its famous Mizen Head Signal Station (the most south-westerly point of Ireland) is one of the major tourist attraction in country. County Cork contains several notable islands like Bere Island , Sherkin Island or Cape Clear Island which are a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and water sports lovers. County Cork is not just nature, you'll find also many interesting historic buildings, gardens and museums like Blarney Castle with its magnificent garden or Bantry House – one of the best preserved historic mansions in Ireland. A major attraction to the coastline of Cork is whale watching, with sightings of fin whales, basking sharks, pilot whales, minke whales, and other species being frequent.