CLOCK GATE
YOUGHAL, COUNTY CORK
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

        HOME AT FIRST’s cottages are in Counties Cork & Kerry — in the coastal village of Youghal in southeastern Cork near Waterford, along Bantry Bay from Bantry to Glengarriff in far southwestern County Cork, and in and near the colorful town of Kenmare in southernmost County Kerry. This fascinating region is a mixture of the urban and the remote, of the prosperous present and the privations of the past, and of dramatic scenery competing for your attention with colorful towns.

      Eastern Cork is the gateway to Waterford and the southeast of Ireland. The easternmost town of County Cork is Youghal, where the Blackwater River enters Youghal Bay. Youghal, with its broad bay and long history, has been an important gateway to the

south of Ireland at least since Viking times. The town is still

protected by part of its medieval walls, and its bay and river still attract fishermen and fish. The region has some challenging golf courses. As a touring center, Youghal puts the southeastern quarter of the Irish Republic within convenient day trip reach. HOME AT FIRST's Youghal apartments overlook Youghal Bay on the water's edge a five-minute walk from the town center.

         There isn't much in the way of civilization west of Cork and Cobh. And, while the east and central parts of the county are dotted with prosperous villages and towns, one look of the western Cork landscape accurately portrays the harsh reality of the place. Here is where the great, churning Atlantic assaults Ireland. The resulting landscape is a confusion of inlets and promontories, of bays, coves, peninsulas, and headlands. Things don't change much in these parts. Small time fishing and small time dairy farming are the mainstays of the local economy. But there is beauty — wild and lonesome and dramatic here — even if getting here is difficult

 

COLORFUL BAR & RESTAURANT IN ALLIHIES
VILLAGE, SOUTHWESTERN COUNTY CORK.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

         The southwest coast of Cork is known for its wild,

rugged scenery, including Mizen Head, the "end" of Ireland, and the dramatic Beara Peninsula. Although roads are few and driving speeds are restricted due to the topography, Ireland's most famous scenery — Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry, and the Dingle Peninsula — is within reach of HOME AT FIRST's western County Cork Cottages along Bantry Bay between Bantry town and Glengarriff almost on the border with County Kerry. Great hiking, great golf, great touring, and great eating — including fresh seafood — abound in the southwestern corner of the Emerald Isle.

 
HIKING IN THE RUGGED CAHA MOUNTAINS NEAR GLENGARRIFF.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

          At the southern end of County Kerry, on an isolated and beautiful arm of the sea and tucked between the high Caha Mountains of County Cork and the Killarney Mountains of County Kerry lies the pretty town of Kenmare. With access to two of southwestern Ireland's great "Rings" (the Ring of Beara and the Ring of Kerry), Kenmare is an ideal touring center for some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery. Within easy day trip reach are all the southwestern peninsulas — including Dingle and Mizen Head — the Killarney National Park, the western half of County Cork and all of County Kerry.

 

DOWNTOWN KENMARE WITH ROUTES LEADING
THROUGH SOME OF IRELAND'S BEST SCENERY.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

 

WINDOW IN KENMARE
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

         Kenmare is a growing community of approximately 2,000 population just 20 miles (and 45 minutes) south of congested Killarney town. Numerous restaurants, shops, and services cater to visitors in Kenmare. Easily accessible activities include what must rate as the best hiking in Ireland, as well as top-ranked links golf at Waterford, and excellent dining — including fresh seafood — which combine to make Kenmare an off-the-beaten-track destination worthy of a visit.

LOCATE COUNTIES CORK & KERRY ON HOME AT FIRST'S MAP OF IRELAND.

          HOME AT FIRST's Southern Ireland lodgings are ideally located for touring throughout County Cork and County Kerry. They are also fully-equipped, comfortably homey, and immaculately clean. While each lodging is unique, every HOME AT FIRST cottage in southern Ireland provides guests with all the comforts of home.
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HOME AT FIRST LODGINGS IN
COUNTY CORK & COUNTY KERRY.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

 
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       "We could have spent the rest of our lives at the charming house on Bantry Bay."    
                                     — Robert & Carolyn B., Texas

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