Directions
From Dublin (N8) & Kilkenny, Roslare Port and Waterford (N25) directions:
Both the N 25 (from Waterford) an the N 8 (from Dublin) meet at a major inserstion just near Cork where, in turn, they meet with the N 28 (from Southwest Cork). At this junction you take the N 28 through The Jack Lynch (River Lee) Tunnel (westbound) to the first exit (R852). At this exit, turn right over overpass and onto the Lough Mahon area.
Please note the Ring Mahon Shopping Centre on your right, and the Ring Mahon Retail Park on your left. Continue to a T junction where you will see a road sign for Blackrock/Douglas.
Turn left. Continue until the third set of traffic lights, and another T junction. Your landmark is the Supervalu Centre on your left. Turn right into Church Road. Continue to its end, and another T junction. Your landmark is a Texaco Filling & Retail Station. Turn right (into Blackrock Road) and continue (one-third of a mile) to Blackrock Harbour village. Your landmark is The Pier Head Inn (a pub). At its gable end is where Castle Road begins.
Drive up this road 4 metres approx, and Áras Tara B&B is on your right. Drive into the driveway to park. Please note that the duration of this journey, from the N25/N 8/N28 intersection to the Áras Tara B&B, (Castle Road, Blackrock), is approx 10 minutes, traffic congestion permitted.
From Galway and Limerick and The West of Ireland:
Take the N 20 from Limerick to Cork city. On arriving in the city centre, you reach the Christy Ring Bridge, which you cross. Your landmark is the Cork Opera House.
Turn left along Lavitts Quay (eastward), keeping the River Lee on your left. Pass through three sets of traffic lights, (along Lavitts Quay, Merchants Quay and Anderson's Quay), and prepare to turn right at the fourth set, a T junction. Your landmark is The Harbour Commissioners Office, a majestic old grey building). Turn right into Custom House Street, drive over the Eamonn De Valera Bridge into Albert Street (N27).
On crossing this bridge, turn left immediately, bringing you into Albert Quay East, and your landmark is Careys Tool Hire showroom. This Albert Quay East roadway is approx 100 metres in length, and turns right into Victoria Road. Take Victoria Road and continue straight on until you arrive at a roundabout - its landmark is a Shell Retail Station. Pass around this first and only roundabout, taking its 2nd exit, and from here, (still Victoria Road), it brings you to The Old Blackrock Road (note your landmark Ashton School just after the first set of traffic lights). Continue on this road for 2 kilometres.
You will pass through a small 'village', called Ballintemple and your landmark is the first pub you see, known as The Venue, (it's in green). From Ballintemple the same road now becomes Blackrock Road. Continue straight on passing your next landmark, a Texaco Filling & Retail Station, and continue (one-third of a mile) to Blackrock Harbour village. Your landmark is The Pier Head Inn (a pub), At its gable end is where Castle Road begins. Drive up this road 4 metres approx, and Áras Tara B&B is on your right. Drive into the driveway to park.
The duration of the journey from Cork city centre to Áras Tara B&B, Castle Road, Blackrock), is approx 15-20 minutes, traffic congestion permitted.