St. Patrick’s Street

Initially conceived in the early 18th century by wealthy merchants presumably anxious to part their fellow citizens from their cash, this has remained Cork’s main shopping hub. An easy couple-of-minute’s stroll from The English Market and known locally as “Pana” the broad, curving street boasts many fine shops including upmarket department store Brown Thomas. Shopping, of course, is one thing, but the citizens of Cork are a sociable bunch and, particularly during fine weather, visitors will see groups of friends and family simply chatting and spending time together. Various architectural styles reflect change over the past two hundred years or so. Dating from 1786, and rebuilt on several occasions since then, St. Patrick’s Bridge abuts the thoroughfare.

St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral

A leisurely 11-minute walk from St. Patrick’s Street takes you to this Anglican cathedral. In 1862, architect William Burges’ design plans were picked from dozens of entries for a cathedral with a budget of £15,000. By the time it was fully constructed, the total cost exceeded £100,000 – but the results were undeniably worth it. The structure was built with Cork limestone, the interior walls are of Cork marble, and detailed mosaics decorate the choir. The exterior is adorned with intricate carved icons, and the stained glass windows tower brightly above the interior. There are scarce remains of the site’s earlier cathedrals, although nine carved heads and the Dean’s Gate still survive from the medieval building. This is still an active congregation, but the church is open to visitors to admire.

Fitzgerald Park and Cork Public Museum

Named after Edward Fitzgerald, the city’s Lord Mayor who organized Cork’s International Exhibition in 1902, Fitzgerald Park is a tranquil oasis on the outskirts of Cork city. It still features the original pavilion and ornamental fountain from the era. In the gardens here, visitors will find Cork Public Museum, a cafe, sculptures, a skate park, and a water-lily pond. Picturesque Daly’s Bridge, built in 1926 and known locally as the “Shaky Bridge,” connects to Sundays Well Road.

Shandon Bells, St. Anne’s Church

Across the River Lee on the north side of the city, St. Anne’s Church (1722) is known for the famous Shandon Bells tower. The church still uses its original 18th-century bells, which have become one of the city’s must-see sights. St. Anne’s Tower is a distinctive landmark on the city skyline, with its facing of red sandstone (north & east) and white ashlar limestone (south & west). Visitors get the chance to ring the bells from the first floor, view the internal workings of the clocks, see the bells firsthand, and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Cork City and beyond from the balcony. In nearby O’Connell Square, the Cork Butter Museum follows the long history of Irish butter making.

Cork City Gaol

Not far from St. Anne’s is another one of Cork city’s attractions, the atmospheric and historic City Gaol, which opened in 1824 and closed in 1923. Originally the prison housed both male and female prisoners who committed crimes within the city’s borders. In 1878, the City Gaol became an all-female prison, which it remained until men opposed to the 1920 Anglo-Irish Treaty were incarcerated there in 1922-1923. The complex then deteriorated until it was restored and opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1993.

Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone

Just northwest of Cork city is one of Ireland’s most talked-about attractions, Blarney Castle is home to the world-famous Blarney Stone, said to instantly give those who kiss it the Irish “gift of the gab.” Built more than six centuries ago by Irish chieftain Cormac MacCarthy, the castle attracts tourists from around the world. Inside the castle, visitors can climb the battlement to kiss the famed stone and take in the views, and also explore the massive stone building – dungeons included. Explore the castle grounds to find gardens, the Wishing Steps, Badger’s Cave, the Witch Stone, and the Witch’s Kitchen. Shop for Irish sweaters, crystal, and gifts at the adjacent Blarney Woollen Mills.

Ballycotton Cliff Walk

The pretty fishing village of Ballycotton, about a 40-minute drive from Cork, is a favorite escape for its beaches, seafood restaurants, and for the beautiful five-mile Cliff Walk along the cliff top track from Ballycotton village to Ballyandreen beach. The path leads between rolling meadows of the East Cork countryside and the cliffs with beaches below.

Blackrock Castle Observatory

Set on the shores of the River Lee where it meets Cork Harbour, Blackrock castle’s numerous battlements and sturdy fortifications seem to embody the castles of fiction and fantasy. Built in 1828, it is now owned by Cork County Council and houses an observatory and visitor center. The observatory features a planetarium, a cinema, and several interactive exhibits. The observatory hosts visiting exhibits that explore science, nature, and space, and also sponsors a variety of special events.

Kinsale

A little under a half hour’s southerly drive from Cork, and at the gateway to scenic West Cork, is the quaint deep-sea fishing and yachting town of Kinsale. Once a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most scenic resorts on Ireland’s southwest coast. Visitors will find no shortage of cafés and restaurants to suit every taste, and the surrounding scenery is quite simply breathtaking. In recent years, the town has also become a world-class golf destination. Other activities include heritage town walks, an annual gourmet festival, a wine museum and, in neighbouring Summercove, 17th-century Charles Fort.

Fota Wildlife Park

A few kilometers’ drive east of Cork City, the 70-acre wildlife park is home to animals that are – as much as possible – free to roam in their natural environment, where visitors can observe and interact with them. You may be joined at your picnic table by ring-tailed lemurs (although of course they should not be fed), and giraffes wander freely in the central enclosure. Unlike many safari parks, Fota is not a drive-through experience. On that, a word of warning, it’s a lengthy walk around the park, and to get the most from it, at least half a day should be put aside for a visit.

Cobh

A 25-minute drive southeast of Cork city takes visitors to the historic port of Cobh (formerly Queenstown). The town is famous as the last port of call of the doomed Titanic on its maiden voyage in 1912. These days, it’s still a favorite dock for cruise liners from around the world. Millions of Irish who emigrated to North America and elsewhere during the 1800s and 1900s departed from here, most never to return. The town is dominated by St. Colman’s Cathedral, which dates from 1868. There’s a 60-minute Titanic Trail walking tour, and other attractions include the Titanic Experience, the Cobh Museum, and the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre.

Take a Boat to Spike Island

In the 6th century, Spike Island was the site of a monastery, and more than a millennium later was fortified as the 24-acre star-shaped fortress of Fort Mitchel. Its main use since then has been as a prison of one sort or another. Visitors can tour the entire complex, seeing various prison cells used from the mid-1800s to the 1980s, and hear stories of some of the famous prisoners. Inside the fort’s deep tunnels are defense guns, and in the Artillery Gun Park are weapons, from cannons to modern military equipment. On the ride over, you’ll hear about the history and get views of Cork Harbor and Cobh.