Stone Family Travel ~ Our Cork Adventure!

This week we're going to kick off our Cork Adventures, because let's be honest, it's one of the most beautiful parts of the world. First up I’ll tell you where we stayed & our overall impression. As we have a large family of 7, our best bet for a bargain is to book holiday homes rather than hotels.

While shopping a few months ago I saw one of those supermarket saver deals on the back of the receipt, you know the ones you usually ignore? Yeah those ones! Anyway I saw a deal for Clona Homes in Clonakilty. 5 nights for up to 6 people in a 4* fully equipped apartment in Clonakilty town Sunday – Friday for only €299 available throughout the summer months. DEAL.

Clogheen Holiday Village

Clonakilty is located less than an hour, West of Cork City. As we were going off season I called & chatted about our options & the prices involved. We finally decided on a slightly more expensive 6 bed house in Clogheen Village just a mile outside Clonakilty. I received a reduced rate as I would be writing about our travels.

The house was spotless & really was equipped with everything we needed. Lidl, Supervalu & Dunnes are all in Clonakilty town so you have plenty to choose from to get your staple supplies for the house. While bed linen is provided, towels aren’t; you can bring your own or rent them for €1.50 each. Electricity is charged at €6 per day. We had a problem with our microwave but it was replaced with a brand new one within the hour, now that’s service.

Spacious Digs at Clona Homes

The location is fantastic just a stones throw from Inchydoney Beach also in close proximity to Barley Cove & Owenahincha beach. There is a FREE games room on site; we also had the use of a tennis court & children’s playground. One of the days when we were on our travels we had to pass back by the house to go out the other side of Cork, so we stopped off to have homemade sandwiches & lemonade outside on the picnic benches, saved a fortune & it was very relaxing sitting in the sun.

You could leave your partner with the children in the games room & book a spa treatment at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, that way Mammy gets a break too. It'd be rude not to when you've travelled that far, right?

You really do need a car to get around though, as there is lots to see & do slightly further afield.

 

Clonakilty Marketplace

Clonakilty is a beautiful seaside town full to the brim of multi-award winning restaurants, deli’s, pubs & shops, the foodie in you will be spoilt for choice. It’s also the home of the world famous Clonakilty Blackpudding. Twomey’s Butchers sells all of your family favourites & much more from their 130 year old shop on Pearse Street.

The town is steeped in history, which our 7 year old son Seamus was thrilled with, as he is a huge Michael Collins fan. You'll see evidence of that in our Michael Collins' Trail Post is HERE. Michael Collins’ former Georgian home & workplace has been fully restored by Cork County Council & will be open to the public this month.

Clonakilty Market

We were lucky to be there on a Friday morning when the town comes alive with a bustling market, you really don’t need directions just follow the smell of mouth watering food! We spent well over an hour wandering through looking at all that was on offer. Gorgeous local crafts such as well priced handmade jewellery & clocks made from books & stones.

We bought & promptly scoffed some of the many homemade cakes & cookies, they were so nice we had to buy more to bring home. There’s also hot food available from burritos to traditional Asian food, it smelt divine, I was sorry I overdid it on the cakes & had no room left! I may dream about the food I missed.

Check back with us next week as I’ll be telling you about places to go & things to see while in that neck of the woods. Have you any favourite places to visit in Cork? We'll definitely be going back!