Cork
Charming City of Cork is located in the south-western Ireland. It is the second largest city of Ireland as well as the capital of the eponymous county with approx. 120,000 residents and cozy place to just hang around and feel the genuine Irish atmosphere.
Shopping
English Market is the covered and bazaarish market place in the city center, where small stalls sell vegetables, jewellery, flowers etc. The main shopping district consists St. Patrick’s Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Paul Street and North Main Street, St. Patrick’s Street being the place where the high street chains & department stores are to be found.
Recreation
Fota Wildlife Park is a suitable all-family place showing various animals, such as kangaroos, lemurs, and the Agile Gibbon. Trabolgan Holiday Village offers e.g. play areas, wave pool and waterslide, and 18-hole golf course.
Guided bus tour departs regularly from the junction of Grand Parade and South Mall.
SoHo Bar (Grand Parade) is a nightclub of four levels with high-quality DJ’s and a rooftop terrace.
Something to explore
St. Finbarr’s Cathedral
This beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral was built between 1865 and 1879 on the site of at least two previous structures dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Finbarr of Cork.
University College Cork
The university was founded in 1845 and its area is open to public. Guided tours are available to get visitors acquainted with e.g. limestone Honan Chapel and the Boole Library. Campus area is well-known for its architectonic variety.
Elizabeth Fort
This 17th-century star fort has been a military barracks, prison, and police station. It was first built in 1601, but for fear that the fort might be used against them by James I during the Tudor conquest of Ireland, the mayor and Corkonians demolished the fort in 1603. The basic structure of the current fort has its basis in reconstructions dating from 1624 to 1626, and during the Cromwell era in 1649. Walls of the fort offers fantastic views over the city.
Church of St. Anne (Shandon Church)
This church lies on the hill top in the Shandon district. Its belltower is a noted landmark and symbol of the city. A medieval church existed on this site, and it stood until the Williamite wars when it was destroyed during the siege of Cork in 1690. In 1693 this was replaced by a church, also dedicated to St. Mary, and was located at the bottom of modern day Shandon Street. It was decided to build anew on the site and so in 1722 the present Church of St. Anne, Shandon was constructed. The church is noted for its 8 bells due to the song “The Bells of Shandon” by Francis Sylvester Mahony, and visitors are allowed to ring those.
How to get around in Cork
There is bus routes to suburbs. Most of them leave from St. Patrick’s Street or nearby streets such as South Mall, Grand Parade and Merchant’s Quay.
How to get in Cork
The international Cork Airport serves the region, being located 6.5 km south of the city in an area known as Farmers Cross. List of its destinations is here.
Also the Shannon Airport is a good option. List of its destinations is here. Shannon is connected to Cork by Bus Éireann and CityLink bus services, journey takes about 2 hours 25 minutes
The city’s railway hub is based at Kent station towards the east end of the city giving access to the national and county network. There are two local lines serving the county: one for Cobh in east Cork and one serving Mallow, Charleville and Millstreet in north Cork.
The train service in Ireland is operated by Irish Rail, which provides rail services from Cork to Dublin (16 trains per day), Cobh (22), Midleton (20), Tralee (3 direct, 6 with one change) and Mallow. The journey planner and ticket prices are here.
Brittany Ferries offers ferry route from Roscoff (France) to Cork April-October.
Top 5 in Cork
- University College Cork
- Finbarr’s Cathedral
- Shopping at English Market
- Elizabeth Fort
- Fota Wildlife Park
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: With the CC licence / Bkwillwm, Ian Paterson, The Speckled Bird, pl:Wikipedysta:A., Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, John M
