Old City Gaol
The old Cork City Gaol looks the same as it did in Victorian
times, with its barred windows, cells, bare corridors and iron
stairways behind the unwelcoming gateway. The gaol once
incarcerated 19th century prisoners. The building was built in 1824
and is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian
architecture surviving in Cork.
Self-guided audio tours are an option. Life-size figures, sounds
and exhibitions tell the story and social history of 19th century
Cork and the reasons people turned to crime, which was mainly due
to extreme poverty. Visitors can still see the graffiti that
prisoners carved or wrote on the walls, and there are many
interesting facts and stories to be heard. Unsurprisingly, the Cork
City Gaol is said to be haunted, which is very easy to believe when
strolling through the formidable building.
The tour is available in 13 languages and it really does
transport visitors into another century. Children will enjoy this
attraction and it is a good activity for the whole family. Although
it is popular, it never seems too crowded, which adds to the eerie
atmosphere.
Address:
Convent Avenue, Sunday's Well
Opening time:
October to March 10am-4pm, April to September
9.30am-5pm
Cork City Gaol Interior
psyberartist
Church Tower of Shandon
Positioned on a hill overlooking the River Lee, the Church Tower
of Shandon (Old Fort) is possibly Cork's most famous landmark. The
red sandstone and white limestone tower is crowned by a large,
salmon-shaped weather vane. It was built in 1722, making it one of
Cork's oldest buildings, and is still perfectly preserved. The
Church of St Anne is famous for its bells, which inspired the song
'The Bells of Shandon', and also for its clock, which is referred
to as 'the four-faced liar' because each of its four faces reads a
different time. Visitors can ring the famous bells on a visit to St
Anne's and view the internal workings of the clocks.
The views of the city from the bell tower's balcony are
stunning. The staircase up to the top of the tower gets quite
narrow, which is a delight for some but perhaps shouldn't be
attempted by the claustrophobic. The church itself is also a joy to
explore for those who are interested, and the people who work there
are very helpful and friendly. The church is located in the
historical section of the city, so a visit can be combined with a
stroll through the charming old area, which has many other
attractions.
Address:
Church of St Anne Shandon, Church Street
Transport:
It's a 5-10 minute walk from the city centre. Tour buses
stop here too.
Opening time:
June to September: Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm,
Sunday 11:30am-4:30pm. March to October: Monday to Saturday
10am-4pm, Sunday 11:30am=4pm. November to February: Monday to
Sunday 11am-3pm.
The Four Faced Liar
William Murphy
The English Market
The 16th century Princes Street Market is a covered food market
in the centre of Cork. A large sign now designates it the Old
English Market (and the nearby St Peter's Market is referred to
locally as the Irish Market), although it is certainly Irish in
character. The Queen and Prince Philip visited the market in June
2011, cementing its association with the English.
Merchandise on sale includes fresh fruit and vegetables, baked
goods, cheese, meat, seafood, gourmet chocolate, sweets, clothes,
and local crafts, trinkets and souvenirs. It is well known among
locals and tourists alike for its varied selection of produce from
all over the world, and especially for its fresh fish. The
merchants are very friendly and the place has a wonderful
atmosphere. It's a good idea to ask the stall owners for their
recommendations and try out some local specialties. Visitors can
buy a take-away meal, gifts for those back home, or groceries at
the Old English Market. Those who enjoy the place should try the
Farmgate Restaurant, where they can sit on the balcony overlooking
the stalls and relish the smells and sights along with a great
meal.
Address:
Princes Street
Baked goods at the English Market
LWYang
Cork has a mild climate with plenty of rainfall throughout the
year. Average temperatures are never too extreme and Cork often
experiences a lot of fog, which is most common during mornings and
during the winter months (November to February). Winter
temperatures in Cork rarely drop below 32°F (0°C) and snow is rare
in the city. There may be light snowfall occasionally during
winter, but it is seldom thick enough to cover the ground. April is
the driest month, and December is the wettest, but any visit to
Cork may well involve rain.
Cork also experiences a lot of sunshine by Irish standards, and
the summer months, between May and August, are the best time of
year to visit Cork, just like they are the best time of year to
visit any other Irish destination. Average summer temperatures in
Cork range between 50°F (10°C) and 68°F (20°C). The peak tourist
season is a bit more expensive than the off-season in Cork, so
budget travellers may want to visit during autumn or winter.
Visitors unfamiliar with the Irish climate should be warned that
weather in Cork is extremely changeable and at any time of year
they may experience four seasons in one day.
Cork Airport - Aerfort Chorcaí
Location: The airport is located at Farmers Cross, four miles
(6.5km) south of Cork city.
Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and
the last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
There are city buses that depart from the airport to the city
centre as well as to Parnell Place Bus Station, the main bus
station for Cork city. There are also taxis and rental cars
available at the airport, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach
the city centre.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies operating from the airport include Avis,
Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Enterprise.
Airport Taxis:
There are taxis available outside the airport arrivals hall.
Fascilities:
There are ATMs, a bank and bureau de change, as well as a VIP
lounge. There are a number of dining, bar and shopping options
available at the airport.
Parking
There is short and long-term parking available in multi-level
car parks. The long-term lots are serviced by a free shuttle to the
terminal. Short-term parking is free for the first 15-minutes.
![]()
Local and regional bus transport is provided by Bus Eireann,
with routes covering the city and linking Cork to surrounding
suburbs. The main regional bus terminal is at Parnell Place in the
city centre, with buses departing to various destinations in
Ireland throughout the day. Tickets can be bought online, at
booking offices or from the bus driver. It's a good idea to
consider getting a Leap card, which entitles travellers to a
discount, and means they don't need to carry cash.
Kent Station acts as the city's primary railway hub, with local
and regional lines provided by Irish Rail. Three local lines
connect Cork with Mallow to the north, Cobh to the southeast and
Middleton to the east. Long-distance rail connects Cork to other
major Irish cities. Tickets can be purchased online or at station
booking offices.
Private taxi services operate throughout the city and cabs can
either be booked in advance or hailed at taxi ranks throughout the
city. There are several cycle routes within the city and bicycles
can be hired from several outlets.
When deciding what to see in Cork, it is a good idea to keep
itineraries flexible to compensate for the unpredictable Irish
weather. However, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor
attractions. Popular things to see in Cork include the 19th-century
Cork City Gaol, the protestant Finbarr's Cathedral, the Church
Tower of Shandon, and the Cork Museum, which is largely given over
to the nationalist struggle in which Cork played an important
role.The Old English Market is a foodies dream, with top-quality
fresh produce of all kinds. There's also Patrick Street, a road
full to bursting with restaurants and shops and with many quaint
pedestrianised side streets.
Cork is a wonderful base for exploration in the south of
Ireland. Blarney Castle, one of Ireland's most famous attractions,
is just outside of the city and dates back to 1446. Popular day
trips from Cork include Kinsale, a picturesque and interesting
coastal village known for its culinary delights, and the beautiful
coastal scenery of County Kerry, including the Dingle
Peninsula.
Cork is known to have less traffic than Dublin and it is
relatively easy to navigate. For this reason, and because visitors
usually intend to explore the many wonders beyond the city,
visitors often choose to hire a car. However, Cork has a decent
public transport system and visitors won't struggle to get from
attraction to attraction within the city.
Kinsale
Kinsale is an old fishing village just 18 miles (29km) south of
Cork. It's best known for the world renowned Old Head Golf Links,
set on a narrow head jutting out into the Celtic Sea. Kinsale has a
number of interesting sights, including The Courthouse and Desmond
Castle.
Desmond Castle was built as a custom house by the Earl of
Desmond in the 16th century. It has a colourful history, ranging
from Spanish occupation during the Battle of Kinsalein in 1601, to
its use as a prison for captured American sailors during the
American War of Independence. It is known locally as 'The French
Prison' after a tragic fire in which 54 prisoners, mainly French
seamen, died in 1747. The castle was also used as a borough jail
from 1791 to the beginning of the Great Famine, when it became an
auxiliary workhouse tending to the starving populace.
Charles Fort is two miles (3km) outside Kinsale. Constructed in
the late 17th century on the site of an earlier coastal
fortification, it is a classic example of a star-shaped fort.
William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham,
Dublin, and Superintendent of Fortifications, is credited with its
design. As one of the largest military forts in the country,
Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous
events in Irish history, the most significant of which include the
Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War in 1922-1923. James
Fort sits across the estuary. It is an earlier structure that was
designed by Paul Ive in 1602.
Kinsale has also earned itself a reputation as Ireland's gourmet
centre, with numerous award-winning pubs and restaurants, and the
annual Gourmet Festival in October.
Transport:
Bus Éireann number 226 from Cork City. It's a 45 minute
trip, but the bus offers free wifi.
![Kinsale]()
Kinsale
Stephen Carter
Blarney Castle
Built around 1446, Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's oldest and
most historic castles. An ancient stronghold of the MacCarthys,
Lords of Muskerry, and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster,
its walls are 18ft (5m) thick in places. Located on the parapet of
the castle is the famous 'Blarney Stone'. According to local
legend, after kissing this stone, one will have the gift of eternal
eloquence, or 'the gift of the gab'. To do this, visitors must
first position themselves on their back, then lean their head back
and downwards over the edge of the battlements, with the help of an
attendant, in order to kiss the underside of the stone. This is a
rather scary process but the fear is part of the thrill.
The grounds of this magnificent ruin are an attraction in
themselves, with well-maintained pathways and great natural
features that are worth exploring for several hours. There is a
Poison Garden full of dangerous and deadly plants, and a magical
rock passageway. Visitors should walk down the Witch's Steps
backwards for good luck!
Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's most famous attractions and
it can get very crowded in the summer season. Guests should visit
early to avoid queuing for entry and to kiss the stone. The last
admission to the castle and grounds is 30 minutes before
closing.
Address:
Five miles (8km) from Cork
Opening time:
Monday to Saturday 9am-7pm (June to August),
9am-6.30pm (May and September), 9am-6pm (March, April and October)
9am to 5pm(November to February). Sundays 9.30am-5.30pm (until
sunset in winter).
![Blarney Castle]()
Blarney Castle
Greg Bailey
County Kerry
Kerry County is widely regarded as the most beautiful region in
Ireland. It's the country's most popular tourist destination with
its rugged scenery, picturesque villages, coastal resorts and
wealth of attractions. The panoramic Ring of Kerry drive on the
Iveragh Peninsula affords spectacular views of Ireland's highest
mountain, the Lakes of Killarney, and the stunning coastal scenery.
There are also many ancient and historic sites along the way,
including the incredible ruins on the Skellig islands. The
Killarney National Park is also renowned for its beauty and variety
of outdoor activities. The Dingle Peninsula has magnificent coastal
scenery and is the westernmost point of Europe. Villages like
Kenmare and Dingle offer a wonderful glimpse of traditional Irish
life. Fresh seafood and authentic music make any visit a
delight.
County Kerry is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, ideal for
boating, fishing, walking, golfing and cycling. The Ring of Kerry
is best enjoyed during the summer months as bad weather reduces
visibility. Even in thick fog, it is an enchanting region which
makes its way onto most Irish travel itineraries and seldom
disappoints.
![Lakes of Killarney]()
Lakes of Killarney
Kglavin
Cork City Gaol Interior
psyberartist
The Four Faced Liar
William Murphy
Baked goods at the English Market
LWYang
Kinsale
Stephen Carter
Blarney Castle
Greg Bailey
Lakes of Killarney
Kglavin
