Home to ragged coasts, marshlands, and the fabled Blarney Stone, County Cork also plays host to the scenic 5 star retreat of Fota Island Resort. Ireland’s largest geographical county, Cork spans 7,500 square kilometres of rippling lakes, swaying forests, and picturesque towns. Not only rich in scenery, folk traditions are very much alive in this region of Munster and the county boasts a thriving Irish music scene as well as two Gaeltacht areas in which the Irish language is still widely spoken. Sometimes referred to by locals as the ‘real’ capital of Ireland, the city of Cork is at once homely and bustling, crowning its skyline with cathedral spires and doming market bazars.  Enjoy a moment’s peace with today’s Groupon at Fota Island Resort €115 for one night stay for two Up to 55% off With breakfast and bottle of wine in room  The Hotel Fota Island Resort mingles a classic approach to service with scenic views, spacious rooms, and lush spa and sport facilities. Guesting duos can get their stay off to a celebratory start with a bottle of wine on arrival, checking into an ensuite roomed handsomely furnished with a flatscreen television and WiFi internet access. Granted free reign of the spa club, visitors can treat their senses at the hydropool or gym suite and perhaps enjoy 20% off at the island’s three verdant golf courses. The Fota Restaruant offers epicurean dining on a splendid terrace, serving up hearty Irish breakfasts or continental fare to stoke appetites for exploring nearby country trails or Cork city. Truly smitten travellers can even make use of 35% off of an additional night’s stay at this breezily indulgent resort.  Groupon Recommends Architectural interests will be piqued by the lofty cloisters of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, which boasts its original pipe organ and ornate, cherubic décor. Also in the city of Cork, the labyrinthine splendor of the English Market is alive with the trading butchers and grocers who sell their wares beneath the arched housings of this Victorian arcade. At Blarney Castle, guests may chance to kiss the famous stone, thus inheriting the fabled, ‘gift of the gab’. Not simply a place to expand the vocal chords, this medieval stronghold offers towers, battlements and grounds, are that are also worth a look.  Local Amenities While finely prepared cuisine is available at the hotel, a multitude of cafes and eateries may be found in the city of Cork, serving dishes ranging from some of the finest local seafood to the wildly exotic. High street shopping chains may also be found in the city, along with more rarefied, boutiquey shops and, of course, the market. Cork is not short on pubs and bars, and local stouts, whiskeys, and beers flow throughout the night. For financial exchanges, the Bank of Ireland can found at the South Mall, while the Anglo Irish Bank resides on Anglesea Street. Weather and Climate NovDec; 69°C Variable NorthEuropean climate.  Transport Rail Lowcost trips can be made from Dublin Central, Limerick Junction, and Galway stations. Low cost airline also operate from Dublin. Train Station Cork Kent station is roughly a 20 minute drive from the hotel. Car hire Choice of operators from Cork Kent station. Groupon Top Tip Get your hands on a Duchas Heritage Pass for reduced entry on heritage attractions. Reviews With a kingsized 6,506 Likes on Facebook, it is no surprise that 418 TripAdvisor users awarded the Fota Island Resort an impressive 4/5 stars. Guests praised the picturesque location and lush rooms. Some found the customer service could be improved, but many were in agreement the stay was worth it. A great place to visit and relax, the rooms are very comfy and the bathroom is very spacious and the finishes are very modern. The staff are always very polite, friendly and helpful. The Thermal suite is a lovely place to unwind and chill out. Beds are massive and food is good too. – conniehalley, TripAdvisor, October 2011 The room had the wow factor and the beds where so comfortable i had no problem sleeping. The hotel staff made a huge effort to make sure we were looked after and boy oh boy we where sic looked after in style. The girls in the spa where fantastic and couldn’t of looked after us and better and have clearly mastered their trades. The spa area is beautiful and is an explosion of sensations from sound sight touch. Our husbands played golf whilst we relaxed and also loved the superd sic greens. – l3orotraveller, TripAdvisor, September 2011 Groupon voucher  Wellness  Spa  Health clubs  Travel  Accommodation  Rooms  Hotels  Bed and breakfast  Restaurant  Breakfast  European breakfast  Brunch  Irish Food  Irish Cuisine  Travel Getaways  Rooms Getaways  Hotels Getaways  Bed and breakfast Getaways Further deals in this category 1. One Hour Thai, Sports or Deep Tissue Massage for €26 at Abbey Chiropractic and Wellness Centre €65 Value 2. One Hour Deep Tissue, Relaxation or Swedish Massage for €20 at Palm Physical Therapy €50 Value 3. Choice of Back, Neck and Shoulders Relaxation or Healing Massage, or Full Body Relaxation Massage for €28 at Lemuria Massage Beauty Studio Up to €60 Value 4. Swedish Hot Oil Massage With Express Facial for €29 at Beauty Secrets 55% Off 5. Three €59 or Five €89 Sessions of Laser Hair Removal on One Area Such as Bikini or Underarms at Forever Beautiful Further deals in this city 1. County Mayo Two Night Stay For Two With Breakfast and Appetisers for €99 at Westport Country Lodge Hotel Up to 59% Off 2. County Meath Two Night Stay For Two With Three Course Evening Meal and Breakfast for €99 at the Ashbourne House Hotel Up to 61% Off 3. Car Rental €19 for €70 Voucher To Spend at Holidaycars.com Up to 73% Off 4. Koh Samui Seven Nights For Two in Deluxe Room With Transfers,  Breakfast and One Meal for €286 at the 4 Samui Palm Beach Resort Up to 68% Off 5. Lake Garda Three or Five Night Half Board Stay For Two With Flights from €259 Per Person at the 4 Hotel Antico Borgo Up to 59% Off Further deals in Ireland 1. Treat Your Hair to a Cut, Style and Deep Conditioning Mask Treatment for €26 instead of €80.50 with Total Hair Care 2. €30 instead of €89 for dinner for two people, that is any main course including their fantastic Rump of Lamb, PLUS each person gets a card loaded with €20 to sample wines from around the world at La Cuvée Save 66% 3. 12 Sessions of Boxing for €59 at White Collar Boxing Up to €225 Value 4. Choose One of Two Beauty Packages Including Brazilian Wax or Eyebrow and Eyelash Tinting for €20 at Image Inc Worth up to €55 5. Choice of Breakfast or Lunch With Tea or Coffee For One €3 or Two €6 at John Street Deli Breakfast House Up to 54% Off Further deals in other categories 1. Two Tickets to Any Show With Two Bottles of Beer for €24 at The Laughter Lounge 60% Off 2. €40 instead of €110 for a Cleansing Colonic Hydrotherapy Treatment at The Willows Clinic Save 64% 3. Get Active With Three Energising Power Plate Sessions for €18 at Sun Hut Value €85 4. Executive Room Stay For Two With Main Course Dinner for €125 at HighlyAcclaimed The Fitzwilliam Hotel Up to 55% Off 5. Professional Magic Show for 50 Guests €80 or 200 Guests €140 from Gerard Kearney value up to €350