Just far enough from Dublin to be off the beaten path, the charming County Cork is well worth a leisurely exploration with its picturesque views, culinary delights and historical monuments.

From the small, bustling city of Cork, you can drive all the way to the tip of Ireland and back in a day. However, a better option is to drive the winding country roads and stop to experience the quaint towns. While County Cork is slowly being discovered by tourists, the roads remain thankfully free of congestion and the cities have not turned into tourist traps.

Directly south of Cork City is Kinsale, a pleasant medieval town with a large harbor and good restaurant scene. With a good stock of hotels and B&B’s, Kinsale makes a convenient jumping off point for visiting the rest of the area. Overlooking its harbor is the Charles Fort, a well preserved 17th Century fortress and the quaint downtown is great for a stroll.

The first major town you hit heading west is Clonakilty, a quaint place that prides itself on being a “Tidy Town” – it won a gold award as Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town several times and teams of cleaners can be seen in the streets every Tuesday evening. Just outside the town is the Michael Collins Centre, which recounts the life and death of the famed Irish freedom fighter, and the town of Timoleague with its beautiful ruins of a 13th century abbey.

South of Clonakilty is the curious Castlefreke, a manor house last inhabited over 60 years ago and presently roof-less.  It is rumored to be undergoing restoration though it’s not evident from the road. Regardless, we don’t advise trespassing on the grounds, since the house is visible from the road. Don’t go out of your way, but if you are close, it’s worth a turn-off.