Visit Cork: What are the best things to do and see in the second largest city in Ireland?
The second city of Ireland is, at least according to the premises, the “real capital of Ireland”. Anchored in history, the city of Cork quickly gained a reputation as a trendy city in Europe. Like Venice, it is built on the water, and the city center rests on an island of the Lee River, just upstream of the Cork Harbour . The two canals of the Lee River that enclose the city centre are crowded by many bridges, giving the city a distinctive continental air. The heart of the city consists of narrow streets of the 17th century and modern architectural masterpieces such as opera.
St Patrick Street extends from Pont St Patrick to the North Channel, through the shopping district, to the Grand Parade , which leads to the South Canal. North and South St Patrick Street The city's most entertaining neighborhoods are: a labyrinth of narrow streets full of pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops. While Cork’s dynamism is reflected in contemporary buildings, bars and art centers, the city is nevertheless traditional, fortunately. You understood it, you are not here in Dublin but in a much warmer city because much more compact. If you have decided to spend a few days here, you will not be disappointed; Here they are. best things to do in Cork :
1. History and iconic English Market
Flickr – William Murphy
What better to visit Cork than to start with one of the oldest covered markets in Europe? Open since 1788, it is a paradise for gourmet purposes and there are so many tasty dishes in front of your eyes that it is difficult to show restraint. The focus is on the local , with farm cheeses, charcuterie, butter eggs, sausages, bread and smoked salmon, but there are also some imports such as olives and wine. When Queen Elizabeth II came to discover the aisles of the English Market In 2011, she was impressed by what she had in front of her eyes, and you will understand why when you are there.
2. Shandon district
Flickr – William Murphy
Perched on a hill overlooking the center of the city to the north, Shandon is an ideal place for its views, but you will also find galleries, antiques and cafes along its old streets and squares. The tiny old houses in row, where generations of workers raised large families under very elementary conditions, are now popular urban feet.
Shandon is dominated by Sainte-Anne church 1722, nicknamed " Four-Faced Liar" ("Liar" means liar) because each of the four clocks of the tower give a different hour. The aspirants bell ringers will be able to pull the rope of the bells on the 1st floor of the tower dating from 1750, and continue the climb of the 132 steps on the top to have a 360-degree view City.
Cork has a long tradition of butter manufacturing (in the 1860s, it represented the world’s largest butter market, exporting butter throughout the British Empire), and its history is told through an exhibition at Cork Butter Museum . The square in front of the museum is dominated by the Firkin Crane , a circular building in place and place of the old butter market, which now houses a dance and choreography center.
3. Saint-Finbarr Cathedral
Flickr – William Murphy
Saint Finbarr is the patron of the city of Cork. Pointed arrows, gargoyles with grotesque faces and rich sculptures make up the exterior of the Protestant Cathedral of Cork, a catchy mix of French Gothic style, with a touch of medieval fantasy. The local legend says the golden angel (says Resurrection Angel ) located on the east side of the building will blow in its horn when the Revelation takes place...
The splendour continues inside, with marble mosaics on the ground, a colored ceiling, a huge chair and the throne of the bishop. It is also exposed a cannonball that aroused an ancient arrow of the church during the siege of Cork (1690). It was architect William Burges who built the cathedral in 1865.
4. Cork City Gaol, the former Cork prison
geograph.ie – Richard Fensome
This former prison It is worth visiting, if only to have an idea of how life was hard for prisoners a century ago. An audio guide is available for you to tour the prison and restored cells. Some of them recompose scenes of the past daily, with models of suffering prisoners and guards at the sadistic mine. In fact, many other models are playing the tour. This moving and instructive discovery shows the harsh penal system in the 19th century . The most common crime at the time was probably that of being poor, as most prisoners were sentenced to forced labour for stealing bread. The prison closed in 1923 and re-opened in 1927 as a radio station. The office of the governor of the prison was thus set up in museum, the Radio Museum Experience , where you will find a collection of old radios among others. Admission to the prison is €8.
5. Visit the University of Cork (University College Cork)
Flickr – Jennifer Boyer
Treat the student population of Cork by walking in the park University College Cork (UCC). Founded in 1845, we come above all to admire the beautiful architecture and the Lewis Glucksman Gallery , or George Boole library . The university is at the end of the Fitzgerald’s Park.
6. The Blackrock Castle
Flickr – K.ristof
The Blackrock Castle is a 16th century castle located about 2 km from the heart of the city of Cork, on the banks of the river Lee. Originally built to defend the port and the upper tributaries of Cork Harbour , the castle is now used as observatory , and there is also a restaurant. It is an ideal place for families and children with an exhibition learning more about our galaxy and the universe. On the weekend it is possible to visit the castle dungeons.
7. Go explore Blarney’s castle and embrace the “ Stone of eloquence”
geograph.ie – Joseph Mischyshyn
Blarney Castle ( Blarney Castle ) is located about 10 km from Cork and is very touristic. Its fame was shaped by a stone that the castle houses: that of Blarney, known as “the eloquence”. Kiss the stone the head upside down would offer the power of eloquence. Thus, it is not uncommon to see people kiss this stone lying on the back. Besides this anecdote, the castle dates from the 11th century, but was destroyed in 1446. He was then rebuilt by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. The gardens around the building are beautiful. The entrance to the castle is €12 for an adult.
8. pubs, local beer, traditional music
Flickr – Erik Charlton
Traditional Irish music can be listened to in live directly in a pub. It is pleasant to attend a small concert while enjoying a local pint. Hold one of the best pubs in the city: Sin E . Other pubs are to be done like Corner House or even An Spailpín Fánach which serves excellent stout beer. Besides, for beer lovers (with moderation!), you can enjoy it at the brewery Franciscan Well located in a Franciscan monastery dating from 1219.
9. The Crawford Art Gallery
Wikimedia – The Speckled Bird
This art gallery of Cork houses a small but excellent permanent collection covering works from the 17th century to the present. Among them, you will discover those of Sir John Lavery, Jack B Yeats, and Nathaniel Hone. There is also a room dedicated to Irish women artists between 1886 and 1978, including Mainie Jellet and Evie Hone. It is also in this museum that a sculpture gallery presents white plaster moldings of Greek and Roman statues, offered to King George IV by the pope in 1822.
10. What to do in the vicinity of Cork?
Kinsale – geograph.ie – Eileen Henderson
If you stay in Cork a little over a weekend, don’t hesitate to get out of town and go to the sights in the area. For example, rent a car to visit these few business ideas:
- The fishing village Kinsale and its colorful houses
- The village in reduced model of Clonakilty
- The Killarney National Park on the famous tourist road The Ring of Kerry
- Discover Midleton distillery who manufactures the most sold Irish whiskey in the world, the Jameson
- Visit the museum The Titanic Experience in the city of Cobh, which is also worth a look (we can go by train)
Cork: How to get there? Where to sleep?
Many trains connect the Dublin Heuston train station to Cork. The ticket usually costs between 20 and 26€.
From France and Paris CDG, Aer Lingus offers a direct flight to Cork. It should be noted that low-cost Ryanair offers flights to Cork from Bordeaux and Carcassonne. If you wish visit Dublin During the same stay, it is certainly more interesting for you to go to Dublin. To find out, compare prices and dates on Ulysses .
Cork is a rather small town and it is better house in the center of Cork . If you want to get away from the centre’s shrub, you can stay in Kinsale or the very pretty city of Cobh. To find a cheap hotel in Cork, search this Compare hotels . Have you visited Cork?
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