The warmer months, which see the neighbouring beaches become packed with an ocean of families soaking up the sun, were a key part of my childhood.

The aforementioned icon, Ballycotton’s visual identity is forever tied to this monument. Built in 1851, Ballycotton Lighthouse was an everyday sight for me growing up, and has still yet to lose its lustre. Whether looking at it from the mainland or taking a guided boat tour to see it up close, it is about as memorable and striking a sight as you can get. To this day seeing it reminds me of my boat trip around the island when I was a child, and the hours I spent studying it through my grandfather’s binoculars. Going inside the lighthouse itself has long been on my bucket list, and I hope to do so soon.

A stunning cliff walk gives eyewatering views of the innumerous coves carved into the Irish coast. It is here where our patchwork blanket of rolling fields begins and ends. Walk this winding public pathway, with inquisitive cattle grazing miles of open grasslands on one side, and jaw-dropping ocean beauty on the other. This trail offers a lot to the more adventurous traveller. I recommend you bring a packed lunch and have a picnic on the small and secluded Ballyandreen beach, where you can feel like you’re the only creature on earth. And if you’re looking for an air of mystery, maybe you can even see the nearby modern ghost ship that washed ashore only five years ago.

The foodies will be kept happy too with a Michelin award-winning restaurant known for its premier-quality food at an affordable price. Cush provides all the charm and ambiance of a seaside pub, with the grandeur and refinement of a modern dining experience. Eating seafood while the boats haul in fresh catches just out the window is a special feeling.

The historic Sea Church holds frequent concerts, comedy shows and culture nights that are bound to bring a side of drama to their locally sourced meals. This restored church, built in the early 1800s, is home to Ballycotton’s annual comedy festival which routinely features some of the best comics in the country.

The festival is set to make a return to the venue for its fifth instalment in September 2025

Remarkable souvenirs are the perfect way to remember your getaways, and here you’re absolutely spoiled for choice. Neighbouring Shanagarry is home to the pottery of world-famous potter Stephen Pearse. Shanagarry Potters provide earthenware pottery that come in a wide range of styles. Their traditional method manages to speak volumes with simplicity. Their Pottery Experiences are routinely sold out, as fans are eager to seize the opportunity to see a true master craftsman at work. Pearse’s pottery has been on display pridefully by my mother for years and I know it will continue to be for many more.

The much-loved Kilkenny Shop and Café in the Shanagarry Design Centre is an absolute must-visit. Their selection of Irish design and lovely atmospheric café create an engaging experience for the artistically minded. Their seasonal menus and wide range of Irish-made jewellery, clothing, books, stuffed animals, chocolates, and more ensure there is something for everyone.

From caravans to five-star resorts, this slice of East Cork has an accommodation for any budget. The Garryvoe Hotel, with Ballycotton Lighthouse and village perfectly framing the stunning views, was always my family’s getaway location of choice. The hotel’s Cave bar hosted many of our nights out, and the frequent live music still brings me joy each year. The hotel overlooks my favourite place in the world, the Garryvoe beach, which I have walked hundreds if not thousands of times. Food vendors of all sorts set up shop on the promenade, Offering everything from ice cream and coffee to crepes and even pizza. The scent of delicious food and seaside air create a flawless blend.

Nearby Castlemartyr is home to The Castlemartyr Resort. A five-star rating, two Michelin stars for its restaurant Terre, and a range of high-class accommodation can give you the ultimate retreat. It features an 18-hole golf course, complete with clubhouse and professional lessons for anyone looking to improve their sub-par skills.

A fully fitted spa lets you take a dip in their swimming pool, soak in the steam at the sauna or receive one of a range of massages. Look nowhere else if you want only the height of luxury.

Beautiful gardens, hand-cultivated farmland, and forest trails, the 300 acres of Ballymaloe House are steeped in centuries of history.

Through a focus on the traditional, locally sourced, and homegrown they have become a true champion of Irish cuisine, and their cookery school has drawn international attention and acclaim. Guests here can enjoy activities such as tennis, croquet and yoga, and guided tours of their sculpture gardens, wine cellar, and historic grounds. East Cork artists run frequent rotating art exhibitions that ensure each visit will be unique.

The combination of extravagance and rural allure make it a memorable experience.

A caravan by the sea has become a staple for Irish staycations. Growing up, I had a spot in one of what feels like hundreds of caravan parks dotted throughout the area. For three generations my family has holidayed on this coast, and still today the annual escape from the concrete slab of the city is the highlight of my year.

Every summer since I was born was spent in a caravan listening to the waves of the Celtic Sea crashing on the rocks as I slept.

As a kid I would swim and play outside for so long that I would wake up feeling like I had run a marathon, and even that would not stop me from going and doing it all again the next day.

If you are looking for a place to give you or your family a taste of nature, I cannot recommend a spot like this enough, especially if you have children. These days it can be hard to give young people an environment where they choose to go outside and take part in the real world. In this regard, Garryvoe, and East Cork in general, were a godsend.

I am forever grateful to have had such a freeing space to spend my youth, a place to be independent and explore.

Through sharing all it has given me and some of what it has to offer, I hope to have pushed even one person to consider making this their very own patch of paradise.