Page 326 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: / GETTY IMAGES ©
THE HEALY PASS PETER UNGER/GETTY IMAGES ©
Instead of going directly into County Cork along
the N71 from Kenmare, veer west onto the R571
and drive for 16km along the northern edge of the
Beara Peninsula. At Lauragh, turn onto the R574 and
take the breathtaking Healy Pass Road, which cuts
through the peninsula and brings you from County
Kerry into County Cork. At Adrigole, turn left onto the
R572 and rejoin the N71 at Glengarriff, 17km east.

d Cork City TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Ireland’s second city e Ardmore
is first in every impor- Because it’s off the main
tant respect, at least drag, Ardmore is a sleepy
according to the locals, seaside village and one of
who cheerfully refer to the southeast’s loveliest
IRELAND 23 THE LONG WAY ROuND
it as the ‘real capital of spots – the ideal destina-
Ireland’. The compact tion for those looking for
city centre is surrounded a little waterside R&R.
by interesting waterways St Declan reputedly set
and is chock full of great up shop here sometime
restaurants fed by argu- between AD 350 and 420,
ably the best foodie scene which would make Ard-
in the country.
more the first Christian
54 p327 bastion in Ireland – long
before St Patrick landed.
The Drive » It’s only 60km The village’s 12th-
to Ardmore, but stop off in century round tower, one
Midleton, 24km east of Cork
along the N25, and visit the of the best examples of
whiskey museum. Just beyond these structures in Ire-
Youghal, turn right onto the land, is the town’s most
R671 for Ardmore. distinctive architectural
feature, but you should
also check out the ruins
of St Declan’s church and
well, on a bluff above the
village.

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