In which quarter house in Cork?

Going to Ireland for work or holidays? Discover the south of the country and the best area to sleep in Cork!

The city of Cork is the second largest and third largest city in Ireland, in the United Kingdom, and is often called “the real capital of Ireland”. Located on the docks of the Lee River, it releases a very lively atmosphere, very popular with expatriates. A good news: staying in Cork will be no more expensive than in a large French city. Cork is a strong place of rebellion and resistance against English colonization, and is known to be very independent since it was invaded by the Vikings. With only 125,622 souls, the city has an interesting and painful past. In addition, its cultural heritage is worth exploring: museums, festivals and historical monuments. Major assets to visit in the middle of the day and go out in the evening in the bars where beer flows.

As often, each quarter of Cork offers a different atmosphere. Between the tourist districts, students, popular or bourgeois, here is our presentation of the areas where to sleep in Cork.

Downtown

This islet on the Lee is the merchant lung of Cork world. The city centre is focused on an island – Lapp’s island – enclosed between the banks of the Lee. In the city center, no one will miss to crowd the bitumen of the Saint-Patrick’s Street , the most commercial street in Cork, including many shops where to buy all the necessary, various restaurants and international cuisine, and especially bars and pubs. The parallel street – Oliver Plunkett Street – is one of the major axes in the area where there are plenty of bars and pubs, the ideal to taste Irish beers.

Take a stop by St Finbar Cathedral, an emblematic monument of Cork, but also the Huguenot Cemetery, the Berwick Fountain, the National Monument, the Courthouse Chambers – the Palace of Justice – the university – which recalls the scenery of the film Harry Potter -, the English market – English Market – or the City Hall: it’s a concentration of counter-culture in Ireland, which unfolds in Cork. Not far, think of Elizabeth Fort on the south shore. However, there is little offer of accommodation to stay in Lapp’s island.

Shandon

In the north of central island, the Shandon district appears to be quieter and more religious: many churches are located there. When you visit or get out of town, you like to know what good places to visit. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Ann and the Butter Museum ( Cork Butter Museum ). There will be few pubs and hotels here, it is a quiet area where to stay in Cork but it will seduce tourists lovers of religious buildings or in search of tranquility away from the tumult of the city centre.

Kinsale

To get away from Cork, the small ports of the coast near Cork are unmissable from a stay in Ireland. To stay in Cork, in fact, without going to Cork Bay or in the small villages that dismantle the Irish coast, it would be a shame! As an indication, it should be noted that Cork Bay – from where migrants were fleeing from famine to the New American World, and from where ships such as the Titanic were leaving – is the second largest natural port in the world after Sydney. For example, go spend a night in Kinsale: it is a typical Irish port where people’s life is exhaled to Irish. Visit it Saint Multose Church, Desmond Castle , marina and small colourful streets of the small town centre. Not far from Cork, we must not miss the city of Cobh as well.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Francesco Crippa