Regarded by its denizens as the real capital of the country, Ireland’s second city can be described in many ways, but lacking in confidence is not one of them.
The city centre is shining example of the country’s love affair with Georgian architecture, with the River Lee flowing boldly though the heart of Cork. While a relatively small city in terms of size, it’s easy to get lost in Cork’s warren of avenues and side streets, leading tourists and visitors off to corners they weren’t looking for, but which charm.
The diversity of its shops and restaurants lend credence to the home of the rebels being the must-visit destination for Ireland’s growing culture of foodies. And those seeking a traditional Irish pub with a session and a pint won’t have to look far.
Awash with culture, lilting accents, and a healthy dose of cynicism for Dublin-centric visitors, Cork charms at every turn.
Here’s our pick of the top five things to do...
5. The English Market
With its vaulted ceilings and Victorian style, this gem for fans of good food was deemed fit for a queen, and indeed was one of the spots where British monarch Elizabeth II paid a call to when she toured the city a few years back. Offering everything from the most artisan to the best of local produce, the local vendors tempt shoppers with wonderful cheeses, breads, pastries, meats, and ready-to-eat goodies. If you’ve any luck, a trip to the market will happen on a fair day, when a bench in the nearby Bishop Lucey Park will make a fine spot to indulge.
[Flickr/William Murphy]
4. Lewis Glucksman Gallery
Nestled in the leafiest part of the stunning campus of University College Cork, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is an award-winning addition to Cork City’s already impressive cultural roster. The architecture alone is worth calling in to see this space, a brilliant example of contemporary design fitting into its environment. But inside the limestone, steel, and timber frame, carefully curated exhibitions of contempary art, both domestic and international, open up minds and worlds via the power of installation. And the café is pretty darn tasty, too.
[Flickr/Kilkenny Limestone]
3. Cork City Gaol
This building’s stark history lives up to its austere look, but actually makes for a surprisingly fun day out – albeit not for the whole family. As you walk through the cells, refurbished to showcase the hardships Cork prisoners had to endure for years, dummies of inmates subjected to brutality from guards highlights how far we’ve come in rehabilitation since the 19th century – a time when most of the prisoners were serving time from stealing loaves of bread.
But Cork Goal has more to it than meets the eye, as in 1927 it reopened as a radio station. Now the former governor’s residence plays host to the Radio Museum Experience, where you can learn how the airwaves were once the most cutting edge technology.
[Flickr/Vincent Moschetti]
2. Shandon
Looking down on the city from its place on a hillside, this spot offers the best view of Cork City, but it has plenty going for it in and of itself, with a quaint village feel.
It’s also home to the iconic St Anne’s Church, the steeple of which is perhaps one of the best known landmarks in Cork. Known as the ‘four-faced liar’, local legend says that for centuries the four clock faces on the tower were out of sync, telling a different time depending on which side face you were looking at. Now they’re aligned, but the steeple still has plenty to offer the discerning tourist, with 360-degree views from the top, or the chance to ring the church bells on its first floor.
[Flickr/mbell1975]
1. The Jameson Experience in Midleton
A short drive from Cork City lies Midleton, where the alchemy of Irish whiskey distillation has been perfected into a fine art – and a worthy tourist stop. The guided tour through the old distillery lays out the processes of taking the raw ingredients and turning them into the best-selling Irish whiskey on the international market. You can learn all about the story of John Jameson and the various distillation methods he employed on his way to becoming the heavyweight of the Irish whiskey scene. The guided tour is finished off with a trip to the bar, where a tasting session lets you get to grips with the delicate flavours of the rich whiskey.
[Flickr/Jameson Irish Whiskey]
Every Tuesday on The Right Hook, travel writer Manchán Magan joins George in the Dublin studios of Newstalk, where he opens up the world to the rapt host. You can listen back to this week's segment below:
