You are now in the heart of East Cork, where you will find a very warm welcome.
Our staff at the Midleton Tourist Office will be happy to help you with holiday plans, local information and accommodation advice.
We in Midleton & Area Tourism wish you a relaxed and happy stay in our midst.

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ATTRACTIONS in Midleton & its SURROUNDING AREAS

MIDLETON CHAMBER

Tracing it’s origins from a Cistercian monastery founded in 1180, Midleton was developed as a market town from 1608. Its early reputation for good food and drink is continued today by its fine restaurants and Farmer’s Market, and Midleton Distillery.

JAMESON EXPERIENCE

Tracing it’s origins from a Cistercian monastery founded in 1180, Midleton was developed as a market town from 1608. Its early reputation for good food and drink is continued today by its fine restaurants and Farmer’s Market, and Midleton Distillery

LEAHY’S OPEN FARM & FARMHOUSE MUSEUM

A trip down memory lane. Visit the old farmhouse and farmyard with its exhibit of vintage farm machinery. View the farm animals and fowl. See the cows being milked and the little pigs being born. Enjoy a boat trip in the little canal. Relax in the intimate coffee shop. Children’s playground on site. Set in wooded countryside 9 miles north west of Midleton.

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK AND ARBORETUM

FOTA Wildlife Park is an ideal family day out. Come face to face with over 90 species of exotic wildlife. Appreciate endangered animals such as cheetahs in action. Children will enjoy themselves on the free playground while you enjoy a coffee nearby. You will be able to choose from a wide selection of souvenirs at the gift shop. FOTA’s primary aim is the conservation of and breeding of endangered species. Your entry fee is a direct contribution towards conservation programmes in Ireland and world-wide.

TRABOLGAN

A unique concept is all-family holidays with magnificent recreational facilities including a sub tropical pool. Set in a delightful woodlands, Trabolgan is Ireland’s premier holiday and leisure complex.

BALLYANNAN WOODS

Anancient waterfront woods that is an attractive local wood with a picnic area.

MONUMENTS IN MIDLETON

Until recently Midleton only had one public monument. But since the 1990’s several more have been erected including Nellie Cashman (wild west heroine) and the Kindred Spirits Choctaw Monument.

LOUGHADERRA LAKE

Travelling east on the N25 the visitor discovers picturesque Loughaderra Lake 3.5 miles from Midleton. The origins of the lake are steeped in folklore, while fishing is popular in season. One can also admire the graceful swans and the various species of wildlife.

PICTURESQUE BALLYCOTTON

At Shanagarry Cross there is a linkage to Ballycotton, a delightful fishing harbour much favoured by anglers. It has a long, interesting maritime history, and the coastal path from Ballycotton to Ballytrasna and on to
Ballyandreen has unrivalled views of the Atlantic Ocean. The area is also rich in wildlife and on your return to the ring you may be fortunate enough to hear the dawn chorus at the Ballinamona Bird Sanctuary.

BIRD WATCHING

bird watching at Rostellan Lake Leaving Cloyne one travels on the Rostellan road to White Well Cross on the R630. Here there is a linkage to Rostellan, Aghada and Whitegate. Onecan enjoy the Bird watching at Rostellan Lake and Woods, and further on can catch panoramic views of Cork Harbour from Whitegate and Roches.

CASTLEMARTYR RESORT

The great mansion is now a hotel. The former ballroom now a bar which boasts one of the most beautiful and ornate ceilings in Ireland. The grounds are tastefully manicured and the beauty is greatly enhanced by the lake, while the imposing Fitzgerald Castle close by is of particular historical interest.

GARRYVOE BEACH

Driving through the village of Ladysbridge one proceeds to Garryvoe Beach. Other safe sandy beaches at Ballinwilling and Ardnahinch make this an ideal venue for sunbathing, with breath taking views of Ballycotton islands. At nearby Ballymacoda and Knockadoon, Irish is still spoken.

CRAFTS AT SHANAGARRY

The next stop on the East Cork Ring will be Shanagarry, which is fast developing as the craft centre of East Cork. Stephen Pearce Pottery, Kilkenny Design Centre and Ballymaloe Craft Shop have a wide variety of gifts to suit the most discerning tastes and one can do a tour of Shanagarry Pottery by prior arrangement.

BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL GARDENS

The Edwardian gardens at Shanagarry have been lovingly restored by Darina Allen and are a delight. They include an elegant geometric vegetable garden, a formal fruit garden, and the largest formal herb garden in Ireland.

MEDIEVAL CLOYNE

Cloyne, a quiet historic town which is the next place of particular interest. Rich in heritage, St Colman founded the monastery at which the round tower still stands. Bishop Berkeley was Bishop of Cloyne from 1734-1753. Cloyne Cathedral has an impressive monument to his memory. A statue of the famous hurling star Christy Ring stands at the entrance of Cloyne GAA grounds.

THE BEAUTIFUL EAST FERRY

Return to White Well Cross and continue on the R630 to the little village of Saleen. Turn left and you join the glorious East Ferry drive with views of Cobh and Whitegate in the distance. There is a boating marina at Marlogue on the far side of the East Ferry, while many boats operate from
the East Cork side. The narrow winding road adds to the attractiveness of the area and once again wildbird species can be viewed. There are several local historical plaques which reveal the
heritage of the area.

WALKS IN MIDLETON

BALLYANNAN WOODS

Ballyannan Wood is a beautiful mature woodland located at the Dwyers road in Midleton. It has been in existence from the early 1660’s. Ballyannan townland was owned by the Hodnett family until 1653. St John Brodrick turned the Castle into a fortified mansion. The castle lies outside the woodland but the stone gate pillars, ruined cottages, and boathouses remain in the wood as a reminder of the past.

HISTORICAL WALK

Walking on to the main street turn right. The first building was originally Coppinger’s Brewery (1794). Further up is a stone building designed by Pugin (1851) now Coppinger’s Bar. Continuing up the main street crossing Connolly Street with Midleton College on your right (1696). Stroll up to the Courthouse (1829), crossing the street to AIB Bank (1901), continuing back down may turn on to Church Lane to visit St John the Baptist’s Church. Returning to the Main Street, next building of interest you will pass Midleton Library (1789, Midleton Market House). Down at the end of Main Street is Midleton House built by the Coppinger Family 1790’s.

CURRAGH WOODS WALK

You can drive to the Curragh Wood. Start at the Tourist Office and head to Main Street. Turn right and head due north to Gyrator, on the left, in a narrow valley there is a car park and picnic area. This is the access to the Curragh Wood. Take the forest trail to the top of the hill, it can be quite strenuous. At the summit (130m) there is a vista of East Cork stretching from FOTA on the West to Castlemartyr on the East with Aghada / Roches Point due South. At your feet is Midleton. This view reveals the reason for the other surprise in Curragh Wood – the large hill fort or ditched enclousure, which dates from the Iron Age. (700 BC to 400 AD). Clearly the site was considered suffieciently important to become a centre of local power in prehisortic times. Good walking shoes are recommended and a reasonable level of fitness is advised. Don’t forget to bring a picnic.

MONUMENT WALK

Many monuments are within easy walking distances from our tourist office.
1) Kindred Spirit Choctaw Monument
2) JFK Coolbawn Riverside Way
3) Nellie Cashman, North Riveside Way
4) Clonmult Monument, Top of Main St
5) The Gyrator, Top of Main St Roundabout
6) Sheep around the Post, Hospital Road
7) Boy & Geese, Top of Hospital Road
8) The Pikeman, Outside the Courthouse

A HILL WALK

Leading out of Connelly Street passing Midleton College (1696). Walk out the Dungourney Road passing the new distillery on your right. Approximately 1km further turn left start to climb a steep hill, at the top of the hill there is sign for the Paddocks Holiday Village, follow this farm road until you emerge onto the main road. Take a left and 500m on, you will pass the famine graveyard, continue past East Cork Oil taking another left and follow this road straight back into Midleton town.

Ring of Cork Heritage Trail

Built on a deep heritage, South and East Cork offers some of the finnest locations for unique and memorable holidays. With its vibrant villages, historic towns, dramatic coastline, the finnest of local produce and a wealth of fun family activities, Cork is the perfect getaway location.There is an amazing selection of accommodation on offer, from camping to being pampered in some of Ireland’s finnest resorts and spas. Explore the region and experience not only its varied charm, but the diversity of its history and culture.