PLAY TIME IN CORK!

You looking at me!!

January can be a bleak enough month.   I am not one of those people who has loads of new years resolutions or can go without alcohol for the month.   I am more about getting through it…..with alcohol and trying to be as positive as possible!

I love taking photos so this January I did a photo challenge set out by @buggywalksire on instagram to get me through the month.  I took part as I thought it would be fun and great motivation for myself to get out and about and find new places to go for a wander with the girls in Cork.  Luckily the weather played ball this January and it was generally good.  Even though I have been home over a year I still feel like I am settling in and finding my feet on what to do and where to go.

Here are some of the walks, beaches, museums and playgrounds I did in the month or before.  I have started a PLAY section on the website for OUTDOOR and INDOOR things to do around Cork.  This is not an exhaustive list and possibly more of a Done/To Do list for myself so I’ll keep working on it.  Every time I try something new or find out about something I will add it to the list or add more details on the things already there.   Hopefully it might help some people new to the area or when you are having a brain freeze on a day and you need inspiration of what to do!

Outdoors / Woods and Walks

Ballyannan Woods walkway, Midleton

This is a lovely safe walkway off the road where kids can walk or ride their scooters and bikes and great for buggies.  It has a carpark off bailick road and if you are feeling energetic it loops around into Midleton town or into Ballyannan Woods.  Stop off at the Granary, Sage , Bitesize or Montys for lunch/coffee if you are planning on taking a trip into Midleton.  It is a great town for shops and restaurants and they are just a few.

The People’s Path, Rostellan to Whitegate

This is a great walkway and nearly all buggy and wheelchair accessible.  Beautiful scenery  looking over the water in East Cork.  Amazing playground at the Whitegate.  Lovely Rostellan Chocolate and coffee shop open at certain times of the year on the route or the Pepperstack restaurant in Rostellan is a great family spot also.

Carrigrennan Walk, Sli na Slainte, Little Island

Most people know it as the walk around the sewage plant.  Don’t be put off, it is a lovely walk next to the water about 3.6km in a loop and there is a playground at the start/end of it.

Baile Na Matra, Castlemartyr

This is a great walk around in a loop.  It is accessible just beyond the Castlemartyr resort entrance.  Beautiful scenery,the track is rough terrain with a double buggy but it can be done!

Glenbower Woods, Killeagh

This is a wonderful find and lovely to go on a morning and bring a packed lunch.  Carpark and playground just at the start of the woods.  It has picnic benches at the playground for a sit down and snack.  Generally we don’t get that far into the woods as most of the time is in the playground but there is a walkway and it is generally buggy friendly but not all of it.

Rochestown to Blackrock Castle

This is a great walkway all the way from Rochestown to Blackrock Castle mostly off the main road.  Sometimes if I want the shortened version I park at Mahon Point or else I just park at the Castle have lunch/coffee and walk back.  You can do a complete loop though if you are feeling energetic.  Blackrock castle is fabulous swell and has a great cafe there.

Outdoors / Beaches

Inch Strand, East Cork

I love this spot even though it is not that easy to get a buggy onto it.  Beautiful stretch of beach and rock pools.  Love it for a run around with the girls and has a surf school there for older kids and adults if it takes your fancy.

Garryvoe Beach

Garryvoe is great for a walk with the buggy on the promenade if the tide is in or you don’t want to get sandy.  Lovely little playground next to the promenade also and if you are peckish pop into Garryvoe hotel across the road for coffee and a scone or a bit of lunch!

Ardnahinch, Shanagarry

I have no good pictures that does this beach justice so it is a work in progress.    This beach actually joins up to Garryvoe beach if the tide is out.  It looks out over Ballycotton  lighthouse.  I have to add the Lighthouse Tours to my ToDo List! You can roll a buggy down to this beach as it has a ramp.

Ballynamona, Ballycotton

This beach also looks out over Ballycotton lighthouse and is on the way to Ballycotton.  It is great for buggy walk but the buggy has to be carried over the initial sandy verge.  Fabulous long stretch of a beach.

Outdoors / Farms and Wildlife

Fota Wildlife Park

I just love this place and I think the the yearly pass is worth it if you are lucky enough to live close to it.  There is so much to do and see here.  I generally bring a packed lunch and avail of the one of the picnic benches.  I went here every year for our primary school tours… glad I am rediscovering the place now with my own kids.

Indoors / Museums

Glucksman Museum

Went to the Glucksman in UCC and it is just amazing.  I absolutely love the place.  I spent a lot of time in the free museums of London so very excited to have something like the Glucksman in Cork.  It has family Sundays also and has a great cafe downstairs.  Pair it with a visit to Fitzgerald Park if the weather is nice.

Indoors / Libraries

Midleton Library

I live close to this library but any library over Cork county is a great place to get out to.   Cork County Library has 28 branches & 4 mobile libraries covering the area   The process of going here is great and changing the books and getting new ones is a great weekly activity.