Mallow has a large number of places of interest to visit and enjoy both in the town and within a short distance. Places of historical interest include Bridgetown Priory, Ballybeg Abbey and Dromaneen Castle. For garden lovers, Doneraile Court/Demense and Annes Grove Gardens are local gems. The Nano Nagle Centre for Spirituality and Ecology is eight miles east of Mallow on the banks of the Blackwater Valley at Ballygriffin, Killavullen. Each of Mallow's surrounding rural villages has its own attractiveness and character and can offer something of interest to all visitors. Finally, the world famous Blarney Castle is less than half an hour's drive from Mallow.

Blackwater Valley Heritage Trail

The Stories form the River of Time Heritage Trail is a fully signed trail developed by Blackwater Resource Development, which spans the length and breadth of the beautiful Blackwater Valley. With an accompanying brochure, tourists and locals alike can visit and experience the heritage and culture of the Blackwater Valley.

Doneraile Court/Demense

13 km north east of Mallow at the outskirts of Doneraile Village is the magnificent Doneraile Court and Demense.  Here one can enjoy and explore 400 acres of vast grasslands, shaded forest walks  and view the deer that roam freely.

Anne's Grove Gardens

Located near the village of Castletownroche, 16km east of Mallow is one of Ireland's National Botanic Gardens. Incorporated within the grounds  is a fine 18th Century house, a woodland and walled garden, and a varied collection of rhododendrons, rare trees and shrubs.

Ballybeg Abbey

12 km north of Mallow (on the main Limerick Road) near the village of Buttevant stands the ruins of Ballybeg Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1237 by Phillip de Barry for the Canons Regular of St Augustice. The monastery was later castellated in the 15th century. An interesting feature is the abbey’s dove cote – or pigeon house - to the south east of the church.

Dromaneen Castle

Dromaneen Castle, situated overlooking the River Blackwater, was erected by the O'Callaghans around 1600. It was an L shaped tower with a fine fireplace on the first floor and three and four mullioned windows. At a later stage the eastern portion, with its finely moulded gate, was added to form a bawn to the east of the tower. The Castle suffered much in the Rebellion of 1641, when it was taken from the O'Callaghans, granted to Sir Richard Kyrle, and later sold to Richard Newman of Cork.

Bridgetown Priory

Bridgetown Priory is found south of Castletownroche near the confluence of the Rivers Awbeg and Blackwater. Alexander FitzHugh, the Norman Lord of Castletownroche, established Bridgetown Priory sometime between 1202 and 1216 for a community of Augustinian Canons.

Nano Nagle Centre

The Nano Nagle centre (about 10Kms east of Mallow) is run by the Presentation Sisters' General Chapter who operate an organic farm at the centre at Ballygriffin. The Centre offers educational retreats to school students, environmental awareness days and also a Farmers Market. Tel: 022-26411 www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie

Barretts Castle

Just south of Mallow lies Barretts Castle situated on a commanding elevation high above the River Clyda. The walls of Barretts Castle are still standing. The Barrett family is said to have come to Ireland with  'Strongbow' about the end of the 12th Century.

Bowens Court

Henry Cole Bowen is accredited for the completion of the mansion, Bowen's Court near Doneraile. The famous author Elizabeth Bowen who wrote "To the North" and "The Little Girls" spent her summers here when she was young and eventually settled here with her husband in 1952. She is buried with her husband in Farahy churchyard, close to the gates of Bowen's Court. A commemoration of her life is held annually in Farahy church.

Spenser's Castle

Kilcolman Castle or Spenser' Castle was the residence in Ireland of Sir Edmund Spenser, who served as secretary to Sir Arthur Grey, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, from 1580 until the end of his life in 1599.  Here Spenser worked on his great epic, The Faerie Queene. Spenser's castle was destroyed and he was driven back to England during the Irish revolts in the 1590's, and only the shell remains. Kilcolman Wildfowl Refuge, as it is now known, is internationally important in the protection of species including mallard, teal, shoveler, pochard and wigeon ducks, as well as Whooper and Berwick swans. Today, hides for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, strategically located around the bog, are an integral part of its function in the conservation of wintering wildfowl. The refuge may be visited by prior appointment with the owners.

Paradise Garden

The brainchild of cosmetic consultant Fionbar Rubens, Paradise Garden is a garden that hosts many rare species of shrubs and colourful flowers, artistically designed to depict the 'Life of Christ'. There is no charge to view the garden but voluntary donations are welcome for the upkeep. The garden is open 10am - midnight and is floodlit and it is well worth a visit. Tel:  (022) 50973  Tel: (086) 0515237

Killavullen Caves

The spectacular Killavullen Caves are located in the village of Killavullen, 9.5kms. east of Mallow. Situated in a limestone crag on the bank of the River Blackwater, these extraordinary caves are accessed from the grounds of the18th century Ballymacmoy House, the ancestral home of the Hennessy (brandy) family. Here Palaeolithic human remains, along with remains of Irish Elk, brown bear, wolf and other animals from the end of the Ice Age have been excavated. 
Unfortunately - Not open to the public.