Top Rated Parks to Visit in Cork

"You’ll find Fitzgerald Park a handy stroll from University College Cork. This is the perfect place for those of you looking to escape the city for a while. Those that head for a wander here can expect gorgeous, tree-lined avenues, finely-manicured flower beds, a number of statues and a large fountain."

"Ashley recommended Fitzgerald Park in Cork, she says, “The playground is phenomenal. Lots of sensory things and a huge wooden castle structure with ladders, bridges and slides. Its location is beautiful and the park has a cafe."

"If you’re wondering what to do in Cork City that’ll take you away from the hustle and bustle, make your way to Tramore Valley Park. It’s located in Cork City, but it’s off-the-beaten-path enough to make you feel like you’ve ventured out to the countryside. There are a few different walks that you can head off on here, and fairly handy."

"Managed by The Glen Resource and Sports Centre on behalf of Cork City Council, the Tramore Valley Park boasts many activities for all the family"

"Home to Cork’s only BMX Track, Tramore Valley Park is a hive of activity with walking routes, outdoor gym, viewing point and rugby pitch."

"Another of the top things to do with kids in Cork is visit Zipit Forest Adventures. Children (over 7) and adults alike can enjoy this zip-line adventure park just outside Cork City. The panoramic views over Cork from the zip-lines are stunning – if you aren’t too distracted by hurtling at speed through the forest, that is!"

"A two-mile-long (3km) riverside walk that winds its way around the River Lee, this trail ends with panoramic views of Cork’s centre. The path runs parallel to the Twopot River and past the scattered ruins of Bishopstown House, which includes an ornamental lake and a crumbling limestone hut. Across the river, there’s a stone-encircled grassy field – a rural, out-of-the-way park that’s blissfully close to the city centre."

"Immediately inside the gates you will see a portion of the old city walls which have been excavated and restored."

"As you head from the clock house along the Spa Road, keep an eye out for the Lions Heads and the famous hot Mallow springs in Tip O'Neill park, you will see the steam rise from the springs on the colder days. In days gone by the Mallow Spa was visited by people from all over Europe to enjoy and bath in the springs."

"When you reach this forested glen, a 15-minute drive from central Cork, it’s hard to believe you’re so close to the city. Known locally as ‘Mangala’, this woodland escape offers an impressive array of wild flora and fauna – including herons, otters and brown river trout. Once overgrown and uninhabitable, these woods have been reclaimed by locals, who constructed a relatively new walking route that now zigzags across the river and through the forested foothills."

"Cafe Gusto is another spot that’s said to dish out some of the best brunch Cork has to offer. It was established in 1999 and was once the famous O’Brien coffee shop that operated since 1941. The creative force behind the cafe, Marianne, had travelled extensively around the world before returning to Cork in1998."