Bayview Hotel, Cork

Advantages: Maryborough House Hotel & Spa
Disadvantages: Not much to do, disc parking schemes

...We had a 4 night break based around Cork, the good point was the hotel in Douglas (Maryborough Hotel and Spa) which was very good with excellent facilities and very friendly staff (probably because most were eastern european rather than Irish). Not a cheap option though. Overall though we found Cork disappointing, the countryside is OK, nothing spectacular though, and many areas appear shabby. One thing we did note was the apparent aversion to tourists in terms of lack of parking spaces - Cork City and most towns - even small ones have "disc parking" i.e. if you are local it's easy to park, if not then virtually impossible or you pay often over 2 euros per hour - and worse many parking bays have a 2 hour maximum stay. The City itself was also disappointing, it seems to be undergoing a major refurb in the centre at the moment... Read review

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Advantages: Attractive and compact city, eclectic and diverse yet still traditional, lots to do
Disadvantages: Eating out not cheap; some may find it too hilly

...walk: although the centre is compact, there are a few hills. It takes a little while to get your bearings in Cork; the city started life as an island in the swampy River Lee and today the river flows in two channels through the centre of the city. As a result you find that you are constantly crossing bridges and some of the main streets are even built over smaller sub-channels. On the north side, the streets start to climb the hill and if you are in bed and breakfast accommodation, you may find yourself climbing up several times a day as most of these establishments are in Victorian townhouses. The more affluent visitors will be pleased to know that the higher end hotels tend to be in the city centre which is flat. Two distinctive churches make good reference points if you are struggling to get your bearings – and are also worth visiting... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful and uncrowded.
Disadvantages: Inaccessible

...: Metropolitan in Letterkenny, Sail Inn and Bay Viwe Hotel in Killybegs (both great for seafood), Kitty Kelly's on Kilcar road from Killybegs (only open during the summer). Pubs : Sister Sarah's in Letterkenny is a lively spot, McGroarty's in the diamond in Donegal is a good place to go, bar in the Bayview in Killybegs. Like most other counties in Ireland there are literally hundreds of pubs, thankfully I haven't been in them all yet or I'd be an alcoholic. Why not trya few for yourself.... Read review

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