Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – The Kingsley Hotel Cork City
of Cornmarket Street is more interesting hosting the Coal Quay market and shopping mall. On O Connell Square Cork is an ideal destination in the revitalised Shanall year around whether on don area, north of the a short break or as part of a river, the Butter Mulonger Irish holiday. The city seum explores the dehas long been dismissive of velopment of Cork, as Dublin and with a burgeoning purveyor of this food arts, music and restaurant necessity throughout n The Spa at The Kingsley Hotel, Cork. scene, it’s now getting a cul- the British Empire. The tural reputation to rival the Crawford Municipal capital’s. The River Lee flows Art Gallery on Emmet Place English Market traces back around the centre, an island created in the old Customs its origin’s to the times of packed with grand Georgian House thanks to the benevo- King James I in 1610, some parades, 17th-century alleys lence of one of the families four hundred years previand modern architectural who owned the Beamish & ously and has been officially masterpieces. St Patrick’s Crawford Brewery, has been trading since 1788. Long recStreet is the main shopping stylishly extended to show a ognised by locals as a place space however the north end wide range of Irish art. The to meet, eat and shop, the market offers tourists and locals a tantalising range of great Irish food most recently endorsed by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. The Kingsley Hotel on the Carrigrohane Road which closed following extensive flood damage in November 2009 is back in business as a member of the Fota Collection having undergone a multi million euro’s refurbishment. One of the city’s most attractively located hotels, the Kingsley n Guest Bedrooms at The Kingsley Hotel, Cork.
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com is situated alongside the River Lee on the Carrigrohane Road minutes from both Cork airport and city centre. Many of the 131 rooms at The Kingsley enjoy uninterrupted views of the river and while the contemporary bedroom decor is impressive fewer furnishings would provide guests with a greater sense of space and less clutn The Kingsley Ho ter. Fairbanks Restel, Cork. taurant the formal dining offering at the Kingsley was closed on my visit however “Springboard” river, as well as a luxurious bistro delivered on their Spa that extends over two promise of “locally sourced floors with 12 treatments ingredients” making it most rooms. The Kingsley is also suitable for families and cas- ideally situated as a base for ual diners. Be sure to book touring East Cork’s many atan early sitting though as tractions and activities. Local current staffing levels were sports include golfing at Fota unable to execute a satisfac- & Waterock, fishing, horse tory turnaround due to over- riding and guided walking. booking. Expect substantial Cobh Cathedral and Titanic conferencing facilities at the trail , Jameson Heritage CenKingsley, an extensive health tre Midleton along with Fota club with gym, a large indoor House, Arboretum and Wildheated pool and an outdoor life Park are also close by hydro pool overlooking the and a must see. The Kingsley
Hotel has the potential to become the number one luxury hotel in the southern capital once it irons out its initial teething issues and I am excited by its rebirth. For best rates visit www.thekingsley.ie Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio & Citybeat Belfast in Northern Ireland and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www. robertwalshe.com