The Jameson Experience Midleton, Fota Wildlife Park, Golf – East Cork
East Cork offers a number of worthy and varying attractions to the visitor from a distillery tour to a wildlife park and a number of championship golf courses in between.
Midleton and The Jameson Experience at the Old Midleton Distillery
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Midleton town, located approximately 20km east of Cork City, plays a central role in East Cork. It is well known for its good restaurants and lively pubs as well as its shopping and Farmers’ Market each Saturday morning, the first of such markets to be established since their renaissance in Ireland. Midleton is also home to the Old Midleton Distillery with the largest pot still in the world.
Fully Reburbished
Stepping through the archway into the grounds of the Old Distillery in Midleton is a truly unique experience. Due to the fact that all of the key buildings have been lovingly refurbished and restored, it is easy to imagine how they would have looked during the 150 years spent producing Irish Whiskey. Production ceased in 1975 on this site but whiskey continues to be produced in a new distilling complex right next door, producing the majority of all Irish Whiskey produced in Ireland today.
Daily guided tours
Daily guided tours take visitors back in time and allow them to experience the many different stages of making Irish whiskey whilst being guided through various historic and architecturally unique buildings including mills, malting houses, corn stores, still houses and old offices and warehouses. Still turning today is the Old Waterwheel made in 1825 to provide power before the days of electricity. Visitors can also see the largest Pot Still in the world with a capacity of almost 32,000 gallons that stands outside by the reception building.
Whiskey tasting!
Ever fancied becoming a certified whiskey taster? Guided tours of the Distillery culminate in the Jameson Bar where visitors can enjoy a glass or two of Jameson Irish Whiskey and become a qualified Irish Whiskey taster with presentation diploma. The Old Distillery Shop next to the reception, allows visitors to browse and buy merchandise unique to the Jameson brand. The Malt House Restaurant, located on the premises, offers good value home cooked food.
Fota Wildlife Park
This can be truly classed as a wild day out! Located only 15 minutes or 10km east from the centre of Cork City, you will find 70 acres of parkland to explore and over 90 species of endangered and exotic animals to spot either in enclosures or even loose and mingling with the visitors around the park. Plenty of up close and personal encounters of the animal variety!
Family fun
Whether you follow the signposts by road from the N25 Cork to Waterford Road or take the train (Fota has its very own train station on the Cork to Cobh line), you will find a full daily schedule including animal feeds and talks as well as annual events, themed events, family days and Children’s Activity Camps. Fota Wildlife Park is a conservation project where endangered species including the red panda and European bison live side by side in a free-range environment.
Fota Wildlife Park
Other animals to be seen from near and far include giraffes, cheetahs, ring-tailed lemurs, flamingos, zebras, penguins and ostriches to name but a few. Many of these species are also available for adoption. One of the newest features of the park is the Cheetah Run when the cats are made to chase their dinner as it is pulled along rapidly on a wire right in front of them.
Awacachi Tour Train
Children will love the Awacachi Tour Train which runs a circuit around the 2km circular park route and play areas located around the park as well as the Serengeti Gift Shop at the entrance/exit. Other visitor facilities also include a newly refurbished restaurant, shelters and rest areas, picnic facilities, toilets and parking. Parking charges apply.
Fota House
Just next to the Wildlife Park, you will find the Regency- style Fota House who interiors houses a fine kitchen and ornate plasterwork ceilings. Interactive displays and information boards are located around the house. Attached to the house is the 150-year-old arboretum.
Golf in East Cork
Castlemartyr Golf Club is part of the 5 Star Castlemartyr Resort located in East Cork between the towns of Midleton and Youghal. The golf course is a championship inland links course designed by Ron Kirby. A 6,790 yd, Par 72 course that has been designed to be a challenging but also pleasing experience for players at all levels. It is set in the grounds of the estate which is made up of 220 acres of woodland and lakes that have been beautifully landscaped. A Club House, Pro Shop and practice facilities are available.
Fota Island Golf Courses
Fota Island Golf Courses and Golf Academy are located on a 780 acre estate alongside the Fota Island Resort just off the N25 on the Cork to Rosslare road. There are three challenging championship standard course configurations namely, the Deerpark (Par 71), the Belvelly (Par 72) and Barryscourt (Par 73) courses. The Deerpark course played host to the Irish Open in 2001 and 2002.
Club house
Facilities include a Club House where visitors can relax in the Spike Bar after their round of golf and the purpose-built and well stocked Pro Shop which is located next to the Club House. Experienced PGA professionals are on hand to help golfers improve their game at Golf Academy which was opened in 2006.
Other golf courses in East Cork include Cork Golf Club, Harbour Point Golf Club, Water Rock Golf Club, Youghal Golf Club, East Cork Golf Club and Trabolgan.