Link sites worth visiting Genealogical Research www.cork-guide.ie/cobh/heritage-centre/index.htm Over 2.5 million adults and children emigrated from the port of Cobh alone. Today many people from all over th e world are anxious to trace their Irish roots and face the problem of not knowing where relevant records and details are stored. Now we are in a position to assist you. Our new Genealogical Research System is designed to provide a simple means of access to information about records relevant to a particular Irish ancestor. Blarney Castlewww.worldhop.com/journals/j11/pages/blarneystone.html Situated 8km from Cork City, the historic castle is most famous for its Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk. Cobh Heritage Centrewww.cork-guide.ie/cobh/heritage-centre/index.htm The Queenstown story tells in graphic detail the nautical history of Cork Harbour from where thousands of emigrants set sail for the new world. The exhibition explores the conditions aboard the coffin ships, details Cobh's connections with the ill-fated Titanic and relives the horror of the sinking Lusitania. Jameson Heritage Centrewww.irish-whiskey-trail.com/jameson/jameson.htm Jameson Heritage Centre is located in Midleton just 12 miles from Cork city. Visitors can see the oldest pot still in the world with a capacity of 32,000 gallons and the old waterwheel manufactured in 1825 to provide motive power prior to the days of electricity, and still turning today. Each visit culminates in the Jameson Bar with the Irish Whiskey tasting session when you may have the opportunity of becoming a qualified Irish Whiskey Taster with a presentation diploma! Fota Wildlife Park www.zenith.ie/fota Located just outside the town of Cobh, Fota Wildlife Park is 70 acres of open countryside, which you share with 70 species of wildlife from all five continents. Take a walk on pathways through forty acres of grassland where giraffe, zebra and antelope roam, through woods where wallabies wander, past bird-filled lakes and monkey islands, pinguin and flamingo pools, cheetahs in tree-shaped enclosures. Or take it easy and hop on the tour train. Clonakilty Model Villagewww.clon.ie/mvillage.html Enjoy a visit to the unique West Cork Model Railway Village in Clonakilty, which is a delightfully discovery for both young and old. Here you can step back in time and follow the route of a miniaturised version of the former West Cork Railway and experience life in the 1940's. Bantry House www.cork-guide.ie/bnry_hse.htm This marvellous house, formally the seat of the Earls of Bantry, has an incomparable setting overlooking Bantry Bay. It is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Egerton Shelswell-White, whose family came there in 1739. The Earls of Bantry travelled extensively in Europe collecting treasures and objects d'art which were brought back to furnish and enhance the great house. Mizen Vision www.westcorkweb.ie Mizen Head Fog Signal Station is open to the public for the first time since it was completed in 1910. The Mizen Vision Visitor Centre in the Keepers' House, and the Engine Room, the famous Suspension Bridge, the 99 Steps and views up the South and West Coasts combined with the exhiliration and excitement of the Wild Atlantic waves and ancient tortured rocks guarantee a unique and authentic experience.| Lisselan Estate www.LisselaneEstate@travel-ireland.com The Argideen river flows through Lisselan Estate and enters the sea at Courtmacsherry bay. This splendid estate has horse training facilities, a golf course, Salmon and Trout fishing and glorious gardens and really is worthy of a day visit. Imperial Call owned by Lisselan Estate was the 1996 Cheltenam Gold Cup winner. Lisselan golf course is ranked in the top ten in Europe by Fore magazine. Lisselan gardens contain many spectacular features such as azalea garden, rockery, japanese maple, rose wreathed pergola, water lilies, wistaria and water gardens. There is a mature rhododendron garden, a shrubbery containing mature pine, spruce, holly and more unusual plants including acacia, myrtle, eucalyptus and robinia.