This unusual area has formed where the River Lee breaks into a complex network of channels (2 to 6m wide) weaving through a series of wooded islands. It is the only extensive remains of Alluvial Forest found in western Europe. It was described by a 17th historian as ” an immense plain covered with trees and divided by the River Lee into 1,000 islands”. It is a unique place of streams, narrow channels and small islands. An area of former alluvial forest, it was formed in the basin of the Lee at the end of the Ice age. The area is called the Gearagh, an old Irish name for a wooded river.

The Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscraí Walking Trail is 50 km long. The route links with the Beara Way to the west and with the North West Cork Way to the north. It passes through the famous Irish-speaking area of West Cork, rich in folklore, traditional music and storytelling.

It crosses two mountain ranges, through glacial valleys and wooded pastures. Arriving in Ballyvourney, walkers pass the famous church built by St Gobnait in the 6th century. From here, the route goes up the shoulder of Mullaghanish, crossing into County Kerry for 1 km before dropping down into Millstreet.

You will find a variety of produce at Macroom Farmer’s Market which takes place every Tuesday from 9am-2pm in The Square, Macroom

Farran Forest Park is located on the southern shores of Inniscarra Lake in County Cork. It has panoramic views of the lake and surrounding countryside. The park has ample car parking, toilets and a playground. It also features a wildlife enclosure which holds a small herd of red and fallow deer. These can be seen from the way-marked Enclosure Trail that skirts the boundary fence. There is a large duck pond which is home to duck species such as mallard, teal, widgeon, shoveler and greylag, white fronted, barnacle, snow and Egyptian geese.
An old shooting lodge near the wildlife enclosure has been converted into a woodland ecology display centre. Information can be found here on almost everything that exists in a normal forest habitat.
There are two way-marked looped forest trails in the park.

The National Rowing Centre is the home for the sport of rowing in Ireland. It is based in Farran Forest Park, Ovens on the edge of Inniscarra Lake just outside Cork and within distance of The Abbey Hotel Ballyvourney. This area is also known as a course fishing spot.

Set in the beautiful village of Kilnamartyra, Macroom between Killarney town and Cork City, the Toy Soldier Factory is Europe’s only Toy Soldier Factory and is one of the largest in the world.

The Green Glens Arena Millstreet is a public entertainment location in Millstreet. There is a 50 acre outdoor estate for equestrian sporting events and an indoor arena. The indoor arena has a capacity of 8,000 and is perhaps most well known for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993. In 1995 it also hosted the World Super-Middleweight Boxing Championship fight between Steve Collins and Chris Eubank. The equestrain centre hosts international events annually and offers an enclosed menage, cross country riding, hacking and riding instruction and residential weekends.

The Briery Gap Cultural Centre Macroom has a long history in Macroom town. Having been updated over the years, it now hosts a variety of live events and film.

The beautiful Lee Valley has within it’s borders a culturally distinct area – Múscraí Gaeltacht. This is one of the few remaining Irish speaking areas in Ireland, of which Baile Bhúirne (Ballyvourney), Baile Mhic Íre (Ballymakeera) and Beál Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary) are some of the larger towns in the area. You will find a wealth of culture and heritage, song and story, where the myth and magic of Ireland of old can still be found.
The tradition of music and song, poetry and dance in Múscraí is legend; from Ó Riada to Ó Riordáin, from sean-nós to set-dancing, the magic is there at each and every festival and session – and more important it is renewed with each generation.