Architecture

Entertainment

Galleries

Excursions

Markets

Bridges

History & Architecture

St. Finbarr’s Cathedral

Marking the spot chosen by the Irish saint back in 600AD the current building dates from 1880 and is certainly one of the jewels in Cork’s architectural crown. Dominating the city’s skyline it is an excellent example of the early Gothic style and is guaranteed to impress.

St. Anne’s (Shandon) Church

For a wonderful view of the entire city, you can climb the tower at St Anne’s Church, Shandon. The 40 meter ascent takes you up a narrow, winding staircase. On the way, ring the church bells as you pass but don’t forget to don the protective gear provided.

Cork City Gaol

Stepping inside visitors are taken back in time to the 19th century. Wandering through the wings of the Gaol, the atmosphere suggests you are accompanied by the shuffling feet of inmates, each representing their particular period in Irish history from pre –famine times to the foundation of the state. The cells are furnished with amazingly life like wax figures; original graffiti on cell walls tell the innermost feelings of some inmates while a very spectacular audio visual tells the social history and contrasting lifestyles of the 19th century Cork and why some people turned to crime, and some ended up in Australia. This exhibition fascinates visitors of all ages and nationalities and the tour is available in up to 13 languages.

University College Cork

The university in Cork is a central part of the city and dates from 1845. Surrounded by wonderful gardens and wooded areas, organised tours are available but many like to stroll around at their own pace checking out the Crawford Observatory, the Stone Corridor and the Honan Chapel as they explore the campus.

Architecture of Cork

Architecturally, Cork is very much a city of the 19 th century. The majority of the buildings on the principal streets and many of the churches and public buildings date from that period. A small number of architects contributed enormously to the architecture of Cork during the century. The Pain brothers, James and George R., designed a number of public buildings in the first half of the century, as did the Deane brothers, Kearns and Sir Thomas. In the second half of the century Sir John Benson was very influential and notable contributions were made by William Burges, the designer of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral and E.W. Pugin who designed SS. Peter and Paul’s Church.

Galleries & Museums

The Lewis Glucksman

The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a cultural and educational institution that promotes the research, creation and exploration of the visual arts. Located at the main entrance to University College Cork on Western Road, the Glucksman is an award-winning building that includes display spaces, lecture facilities, a riverside restaurant and gallery shop.

Cork Public Museum

At one time the Cork Public Museum, built in 1845, was
home to the Beamish family. Located in Fitzgerald Park, the museum offers free admission and now houses some of Ireland’s most important archaeological discoveries. Admission free.

Markets & Local Produce

The English Market

The Old English Market is one of Cork’s most well known attractions and has been in operation since 1788. An indoor market consisting of a warren of different counters, there’s a huge selection of foodstuffs on offer. Don’t forget to check out the Market Street Parade, which is filled with small shops. It’s a great place to find vintage and retro clothes, as well as yarn, jewelry, crafts and gifts.

Coal Quay Market

Made up of various stalls lining the street, Coal Quay Market is so named because of its historical association with Cork’s coal suppliers. Here vendors sell everything from alternative clothing to watches to jewelry to flowers.

The Franciscan Well Brewery

The Franciscan Well Brewery was founded in 1998 on the North Mall in Cork City and is built on the site of an old Franciscan Monastery and Well, dating back to the year 1219. Legend has it that the water from the well has miraculous and curative properties and people would come from afar to drink from it. The Brewpub houses three serving vessels located directly behind the bar which dispense our beer to the taps. The tanks, which holds 300gl each, offer the beer drinker a unique setting in which to enjoy our craft brewed beer.

Excursions

Blarney Castle & Stone (half-day)

Located about 20 minutes from Cork city centre, this attraction is famous throughout the world. Legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you’ll be blessed with the celebrated ‘gift of the gab’. Visitors from all over the world flock here and climb up the castle to try it out.

Blackrock Castle Observatory (half-day)

This high tech exhibit asks for a lot of audience participation and is really good fun. Plus you can help to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. In the interactive theatre, visitors are asked to undertake a mission to save the earth from a rogue comet.

Jameson Distillery, Midleton (half-day)

Set on 15 acres and beautifully restored, this is where the true heart of Irish whiskey is born. Our old distillery is a unique experience with some of the buildings dating back to 1795. Take a journey through history and see the old kilns, mills and malting, water wheel and old warehouses. All of our tours end with a complimentary glass of Jameson whiskey.

Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh (half-day)

A historial and educational museum conveniently located next to Cobh railway station just 20 minutes from Cork city train station. The “Queenstown Experience”, located at the centre, has mostly permanent exhibitions of Irish history with focus on Emigration and Famine and the last stop over of the Titanic before it set sail to the United States before coming to it’s demise

Fota Wildlife Park (half-day)

Fota Wildlife Park is a 75-acre wildlife park located on Fota Island. The park is home to nearly 30 mammal and 50 bird species.Exhibits include Temperate Grasslands and Deserts,Hot Deserts, Tropical Savanna, Tropical Forests, Temperate Forests, Wetlands & Oceans.

Spike Island, Cork (half-day)

Spike Island is an island of 103 Acres in Cork Harbour, Ireland. Originally the site of a monastic settlement, the island’s strategic location within the harbour meant it was used at times for defence and as a prison.The island has now been developed  as a vehicle for retelling the story of 1400 years of history.

Garnish Island,  Glengarriff (full-day)

A very tranquil yet popular tourist attraction located in the small harbour of Glengarriff, County Cork which forms part of Bantry Bay. It is renowned for its gardens, which are visited by thousands of people each year from all over the world and have been the subject of gardening programmes on television. The ferry journey takes passengers past a  protected small island seal sanctuary.

The Dingle Penninsula, Kerry (full-day)

Rent a car or join the PaddyWagon Tour bus from Cork city to the Dingle Penninsula which has amazing mountain scenery. You can stop at the famed Inch beach and the most westerly drive in Europe known as the Slea Head drive.

Killarney National Park, Kerry (full-day)

Holding a  diverse ecology, including the Lakes of Killarney, Oak and Yew woodlands and the highest mountains in Ireland it has Ireland’s only native herd of Red Deer and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. Muckross House is a  nineteenth century Victorian mansion  set against the stunning beauty of the Park and has it’s own large cultivated Gardens.

Cliffs of Moher, Clare (full-day)

Rent a car or join the PaddyWagon Tour bus from Cork city to the Cliffs of Moher County, Clare. Start the day with a stop on the banks of the River Shannon in Limerick City, the capital of the mid-west region. Continue to the Cliffs of Moher and marvel at the majestic cliffs, one of Ireland’s most visited attractions.

Sheep’s Head Way, West Cork (hiking)

Walk the Sheep’s Head Way. Chosen as the best walk in Ireland by Country Walking magazine, this 90KM (55 mile) long distance walk has a huge variety of terrain all with beautiful views and there are many long and short loop walks available. Sheep’s Head has also been awarded the title of European Destination of Excellence – Tourism and Protected Areas

The Beara Way, West Cork (hiking)

The Beara Way Walking Route is a walking circuit of the peninsula following side roads, boreens, bog roads and tracks, taking in all that is special about the place.There are also a number of excellent way marked looped trails to be discovered on the Beara Peninsula.

Bere Island, West Cork (hiking)

Catch the ferry from Castletownbere to the western part of the island. The 10km route from the pier takes around four to five hours to complete. Check out the striking white tower of the Ardnakinna Lighthouse.

Lough Hyne, Skibbereen, West Cork (hiking)

A salt water lake, Lough Hyne contains rare sea life and is Ireland’s only Marine Wildlife Reserve. The nearby woods are popular amongst walkers for the spectacular view from the top of Knockomagh Hill. The lake is now fed by tidal currents that rush in from the Atlantic through Barloge Creek. The stretch between the creek and the lake is known as “The Rapids.

Gougane Barra National Park, Cork (hiking)

There is a tiny island in the lake at Gougane Barra connected to the shore by a causeway. It was here that St. Finbarr, patron saint of Cork, founded his early Christian monastery, before moving down the River Lee to establish a monastery at what is now St. Finbarrs Cathedral in Cork City. There is a small church on the island in this beautiful and serene location away from the hustle & bustle of daily life.

Cleninchaquin Park, Beara Peninsula (hiking)

Breath-taking landscapes and scenery in which it is a sheer delight to wander around over streams with log bridges, mountain paths with carved steps, through rock passages, along glens and lakes to higher altitude. Marvel at the view overlooking the lakes, delicate green meadows, a spectacular 140 metre high waterfall.

The Gearagh, Macroom (hiking)

The remains of the only ancient post glacial alluvial forest in Western Europe. It was formed at the end of the last Ice Age and consists of a vast area of submerged islands that once supported a rich woodland flora.T here is a particularly popular Gearagh Loop which is approximately 6.5KM in length.

Skellig Michael, Kerry (hiking)

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Skellig Islands, stand aloof in the Atlantic Ocean some 12 km southwest of Valentia Island, County Kerry. From any angle, or from any vantage point on the nearby Ring of Kerry, they are spectacular pinnacles, which have magnetised viewers throughout all history – and beyond.

Dursey Island , Beara Peninsula (hiking)

Connected to the mainland by Ireland’s only cable car, (the only cable car in Europe that goes over water) it carries you 250m above Dursey Sound and is licensed to carry 6 adults or 1 cow.

Dursey Island, which is also part of the Beara Way (walking route) is the most westerly of Cork’s inhabited islands and is also one of the quietest with only 12 people living on the island and no pubs or shop to be found.

Sherkin Island, Baltimore, Cork (hiking)

Sherkin Island lies southwest of County Cork, just a short ferry ride from the pretty village of Baltimore alongside the other islands of Roaringwater Bay. The island with an average population of just 100 people, has a primary school, two pubs with a hotel, a bed & breakfast, a community centre and a church, all the essentials an honest man needs to survive.

Ballyhoura, Cork, Limerick and Tipperary (hiking)

The  Ballyhoura Way was laid out along part of the route  the great Irish  chief O’Sullivan in the 15th Century took with his clan from St John’s Bridge to Limerick Junction. Along the way walkers might want to linger at the great Norman castle at Liscarroll, in the pretty villages of Kilfinane, Ballyorgan, Ballylanders and Galbally, or the storied town of Tipperary. The terrain consists mainly of tarmac roads, forestry tracks, and open moorland and field paths.

Entertainment

The Triskel Arts Centre

Incorporating Triskel Christchurch, Plugd Records, Gulpd Café, Corcadorca and The Black Mariah. This ever-growing arts center presents a variety of entertainment, from drama, poetry readings, and opera to traditional music concerts. There is also a full curriculum of daytime art workshops and gallery talks as well. The in-house restaurant is a stylish place to have a light meal or a cappuccino.

The Everyman Palace

The Everyman Palace Theatre is a 650-seat Victorian theatre on MacCurtain Street in Cork, Ireland. Originally opened in 1897, it is the oldest purpose built theatre building in Cork.

The Cork Opera House

Cork Opera House seeks to serve its city and surrounding region as a municipal theatre, offering its audiences a world class programme of events across all disciplines in the performing arts.The Cork Opera House is the only purpose built opera house in the country, it includes a 1,000 seat auditorium and an orchestra pit that can hold 70 musicians.The Half Moon Theatre, a flexible studio space located to the rear of the main theatre, fosters a more experimental range of interdisciplinary projects, mixing drama with music and comedy.

Bridges

Cork City Centre is built on an island in the River Lee just upstream from Cork Harbour. The two channels of the River Lee which embrace the City Centre are spanned by twenty two public bridges and this gives Cork a distinctive continental air. Take an urban walk and cross over:

North Channel – River Lee:

Michael Collins Bridge (1984) Brian Boru Bridge, St Patrick’s Bridge (1859), Christy Ring Bridge (1987), Shandon Bridge (2004) – Pedestrian, Griffith Bridge 1961 (on site of North Gate Bridge-1856), St Vincent’s Bridge (1875) – Pedestrian, Mardyke Bridge (2005) – Pedestrian, Daly’s Bridge (1927) – Pedestrian & the only suspension bridge in the city and Thomas Davis Bridge (originally Wellington Bridge – 1830).

South Channel – River Lee:

Eamon de Valera Bridge (1984), Clontarf Bridge, Parnell Bridge (1971), Trinity Bridge (1977) – Pedestrian, Parliament Bridge (1806), Nano Nagle Bridge (1985) – Pedestrian, South Gate Bridge (1713), Clarke’s Bridge (1776), St Finbarre’s Bridge (1999), Donovan’s Bridge (1902), Gaol Bridge (1840) and O’Neill Crowley Bridge (originally George 1V Bridge – 1820).

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