THINGS TO DO
Mallow can boast a wide range of indoor, outdoor and spectator activities for all ages and preferences. There is a fine selection of amenities and activities in the town itself, including excellent leisure facilities, children's playgrounds and a large, riverside town park. Mallow is synonymous with horse racing, and the Blackwater River is a world famous angling destination. Nearby at Ballyhass Lakes, there are obstacle courses and fun for all the family. Cork Racecourse, the River Blackwater, Doneraile Park & Estate, and Annes Grove Garden are just some of the attractions within a 20 minute drive of the town. Mallow's central location means that in an hour's drive there is an unrivaled range of amenities.
Mallow Tourist Office is located in the centre of the town in the Town Hall and the staff would be delighted to assist you with any queries you may have.
+353 (0)22 42222
Mallow is steeped in history. The town initially developed as a defensive settlement protecting an important ford on the River Blackwater. The name Mallow derives from the Irish 'Maghalla' (Plain of the Swans). The town developed rapidly in the late 16th century as a plantation town. In the 18th and 19th centuries Mallow became famous as a spa resort and became known as 'The Irish Bath'.
Throughout the centuries the town has prospered as a market town, helped by its rich agricultural hinterland, its central location and its importance on the railway network. It has survived the 1920s burning and the frequent overflow of the Blackwater. Today, Mallow is a highly attractive town that has retained much of its character.
The old Mallow Castle stands at the centre of the town on the banks of the Blackwater. Behind it stands the new castle, a fine baronial building and well maintained. In the grounds is a herd of white fallow deer, all of which are descended from two bucks presented to a previous owner by Queen Elizabeth I.
Mallow Heritage Centre provides a genealogy research service. Whether you are just beginning your search or it is well on the way to tracing your family history, the Mallow Heritage Centre will welcome and assist you.
Mallow Heritage Centre
+353 (0)22 50302
St Anne's Historical & Heritage Society is a voluntary group, and registered charity, dedicated to the preservation, conservation & documentation of Mallow's built heritage.
St Anne's Historical & Heritage Society
+353 (0)22 21879
Mallow Field Club is a non-profit organisation promoting the gathering and dissemination of information on the history and archaeology of the area around Mallow in North Cork through field trips, lectures & the publication of an annual journal
Mallow Field Club ( Mallow Archaeogical & Historical Society )
Cork Racecourse Mallow - Visit Site
Cork Racecourse Mallow is a modern racecourse set in the midst of deep woodlands on the bank of the Blackwater River approximately 2km from the town on the main Mallow to Killarney Road
+353 (0)22 50207
Donkey Sanctuary - Visit Site
The Donkey Sanctuary is set in the rolling countryside just outside the village of Liscarroll. Since opening in 1987, over 4,900 donkeys have been taken into their care and provided with loving homes. Visitors can stroll the walkways or sit for a while and enjoy the company of the highly sociable, friendly donkeys who reside there. Opening hours are Monday – Friday, 9am to 4.30pm, Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holidays, 10am-5pm. Admission and parking are free. Donations of any size are welcome. There is an information centre and gift shop on site, and you can also ‘adopt’ a donkey. For those who would like to see the donkeys out in the fields, there are a number of walks around the Sanctuary.
353 (0)22 48398
Doneraile Park - Visit Site
The Park comprises approximately 166 hectares and is an outstanding example of an 18th century landscaped park in the 'Capability Brown' style. Mature groves of deciduous trees, several restored water features and a number of deer herds can be viewed along the many pathways within the Park. The pathways are generally accessible for people with special needs.
Doneraile Court, the former residence of the St. Leger family, is situated within the Park. It will be opened to the public in the future, following completion of necessary restoration and safety works.
Fishing
The Blackwater catchment offers first class fishing of trout, salmon, roach, dace and perch. This excellent river has few equals as a competition water and is a most important game/coarse angling river.
Game/ Course Angling
Walking
The Blackwater Way combines the two routes of the Avondhu Way and the Duhallow Way walks and is over 180 kms long. The route is divided into 15 sections representing a half days trek. The trail offers a magnificent contrast of wild bogs, mountain, forest, roadways, glens, historic settlements, lakes, rivers and stretches of beautiful isolation in North Cork.
The Blackwater Way
Knockroura is a newly developed amenity 2.5 km south of Mallow comprising of forest walks, impressive scenery and picnic facilities. The route links Mallow Railway Station to Blackwater Way.
Knockroura Walk
Cloghvoolia North is a hill walk located just south of the village of Killavullen. The walk is 10 km long, winding through the woodlands and offering superb views of the Blackwater Valley to the north from Mallow to Fermoy.
Killavullen Loop
The Ballyhoura Mountain Park is a natural park of woodland, rugged mountain, grouse moor and peat bog, which covers an area of approx. 10,000 hectares. With its abundance of beautiful trees and plants, it is an ideal venue for nature trails and bird watching. Thanks to its marked walking routes, visitors can fully enjoy its peace and beauty at leisure, or at a livelier pace along the fitness and orienteering trails, if preferred.
Ballyhoura Mountain Park
This 3.5 km begins at Mallow Town Park. To follow the route walk along the Park Road and onto West End turning left at the junction. Continue onto the roundabout and take the first exit onto the Cork Road (N20), passing the first kilometre sign and walking over the bridge. Continue out along the N20 and take the first left hand turn back towards the River Blackwater and the town centre (Dromohane/Coachford Road). Follow the road leading back into the town parallel to the River Blackwater for over 1km, pass the Resurrection Church before turning left over the bridge. Pass the third kilometre sign marker at the bridge and turn left and back to the starting point. Maps are available from the tourist office.
Sli na Slainte
This purpose built path follows the perimeter fence of the 35 acre Sports Complex site. Walking is an excellent way to improve your health and fitness and is great for all ages. The path includes lighting every 20 metres for your safety. Registration of €20 allows members to avail of this facility all year round.
GAA Grounds Walk
+353 (0)22 50757
Horse Riding
Ivy Bridge Equestrian Centre offers a wide range of services for the equestrian enthusiast, with beautiful trekking countryside at its doorstop and top class facilities for the keen show jumper or dressage rider. One-hour displays are also available for tours on requests.
Ivy Bridge Equestrian Centre
(086) 8110217
Eden Hill Language and Equestrian Centre specialises in unaccompanied young people’s holidays where, onsite, they combine both English language learning and Equestrian activities. Supervised full-board accommodation is provided in the Courtyard of the main Georgian house.
Eden Hill Language and Equestrian Centre
+353 (0)22 21143
Cycling
The Blackwater Valley Cycle Route is a 191 km long spanning from Rathmore to Midleton. The route passes through 18 villages and towns including Mallow. The beauty of "The Blackwater Valley Cycle Trail" is that it can be joined at any stage and that it boasts numerous cultural and heritage sites. The trail is also close to a wide range of activities from Fishing to Hot Air Balloon rides!! A loop section encompassing Mallow, Ballyclough, Buttevant and Doneraile can also be cycled and the trail is fully signed.
The Blackwater Valley Cycle Route
The largest trail network of its kind in Ireland. 98 km of trails including forest road climbs, tight twisty single track with loads of ups and downs, board walk, tight turns and technical rocky bits are guaranteed to leave you smiling. The trails range from the moderate 6 km Greenwood loop to the demanding Castlepook loop, over 50 km in length! Facilities at the trail head include map boards, car parking, toilets, showers and bike wash facilities. On arrival there is a secure car park with monitored CCTV cameras. Snacks and tea and coffee are also available for a reasonable price. Trail accommodation, bike rental and good food are available locally.
The Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails - Visit Site
+353 (0)63 91300
Golf
Apart from its excellent 18-hole golf course, Mallow Golf Club has many other facilities including a golf shop, squash courts, tennis, billiards and a sauna.
Mallow Golf Club - Visit Site
+353 (0)22 21145
Ballyellis, Mallow, Co.Cork
Pitch & Putt
Gouldshill, Mallow. New members always welcome
Majestic Pitch and Putt
(087) 1316969
Located 5 miles outside Mallow in Glantane
Kilshannig Pitch and Putt
+353 (0)22 47181
Activity Centres
Blackwater Outdoor Activities is an established Outdoor Activities centre, based in the picturesque and historic Blackwater Castle Estate in Castletownroche, North Cork. With activities and facilities to cater for very large groups, they offer half day, full day, overnight and multiple day schedules.
Blackwater Outdoor Activities - Visit Site
(086) 7837015
Blackwater Castle Estate,
Castletownroche, Co. Cork
Ballyhass Lakes is Ireland's best known still spring water trout fishery, with 11 four star holiday homes and an activity centre for groups and schools, sports clubs and teams, and corporate team building.
Ballyhass Lakes - Visit Site
+353 (0)22 27773
Cecilstown, Mallow,
Co. Cork
Market Square,
Mallow, Co.Cork
Gate Multiplex, Mallow - More Information & Listings
Tel: +353 (0)22 53282
Playgrounds
Mallow has three playgrounds. One on Park Road across from Mallow Town Park, another at Sandfield, close to the Resurrection Church and Scoil Gobnatan and one in Woodview Drive.
Little Rascals is an indoor children's activity and adventure centre located just outside the town of Mallow. It is open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm. The centre boasts plenty of children's activities such as Super Slides and Ball Ponds but also a coffee area for Mums and Dads.
Little Rascals - Check Us Out on Facebook
+353 (0)22 51408
Majestic Business Park, Gouldshill,
Mallow, Co.Cork
Residents and visitors alike can avail of Mallow swimming pool. There is an indoor 25-metre Swimming Pool, a Kiddies Splash Pool, steam room and viewing area. Tea and coffee facilities.
Mallow Swimming Pool - Check Us Out On Facebook
+353 (0)22 21863
New Road,
Mallow Co.Cork
Hibernian Fitness Pool & Spa - Visit Site
+353 (0)22 58291
HiB Fitness, Bowling Green
Mallow Co.Cork