County Cork, situated in the south west of Ireland, is the largest of all the Irish counties and in many ways the most varied. West Cork is renowned the world over for its wild, rugged beauty and is favoured by walkers, climbers and artists alike.

Magnificent scenery, rich farmlands and river valleys contrast with the wild and rugged sandstone hills and above all there is the dramatic coastline scooped and fretted by the Atlantic into great bays and secret coves.

The coastline is strewn with rocky headlands, famous for their breathtaking rock formations, sheer cliffs and long soft golden sandy beaches.

The City of Cork is the main entry point to south west Ireland, with the harbour receiving cross channel ferries from Swansea which is normally an overnight ferry of 12 hours’. Ferries are also available to Rosslare (3 hours’ drive to Ardnavaha House) from Fishguard and Pembroke. Direct flights into Cork are available from most UK airports and Europe. Just 32 miles’ drive south-west of the City of Cork, Ardnavaha House is located in beautifully green and rolling countryside, close to the small hamlet of Ballinascarthy, from where the young Henry Ford emigrated in 1847.

South west Cork is famous for its many charming towns and villages, none less than the very vibrant, colourful, and picturesque market town of Clonakilty, just four miles away, which boasts some fine restaurants and many lively pubs, most with music every night. Located close by are several popular seaside resorts such as Courtmachsherry, Inchydoney and Owenahincha. The harbour town of Kinsale, just 30 minutes’ drive away, is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable resorts, famous as the gourmet capital of Ireland, as well as for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, and golf.

Ardnavaha House is well placed for visiting the many attractions of south west Ireland. Blarney Castle, Killarney and its lakes, Schull and the spectacular Mizen peninsula and Fota Wildlife Park are just but a few, all within easy driving distance for a day’s outing. The Lisselan Estate, just five minutes away, offers wonderful gardens, fishing, farm visits and The Henry Ford Ancestral Site and Car Musuem. Also, for the keen golfer, there is the lovely 9 hole Lisselan golf course. More information can be found at www.Lisselan.com. There are also a number of other golf courses in the local area, including Old Head at Kinsale.