Sightseeing OverviewCork is the biggest city in the southwest of Ireland, but it has to a large extent managed to retain the
picturesque character typical of many smaller Irish towns. On account of its many
bridges, it has sometimes been called
Ireland’s Venice. Among Cork’s most fascinating attractions are the various covered and outdoors markets where the city’s
lively,
bustling atmosphere comes to expression in concentrated form. A visit to the
English Market is highly recommended.
There are many
architectural gems in Cork, from the
stately, classic
City Hall to the impressive neo-gothic structure of the three-spired
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. There are also many impressive art galleries, such as the
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery and the
Glucksman Gallery. A true Cork landmark is
St Anne’s Church, Shandon, with its splendid views of the whole of the city and its famous bells. Just beside the church stands
Firkin Crane, Cork’s 18th-century
butter market, and the
Cork Butter Museum, one of many interesting historical museums in Cork, can be found on O’Connell Square.
While Cork has plenty of interest to offer, visitors should be aware that there is a lot to experience in the surrounding
countryside. An essential attraction is
Blarney Castle, 8km (5 miles) outside of the city, where the
Stone of Eloquence can be found.
Tourist InformationThe Cork Tourist Information Office Grand Parade
Tel: (021) 425 5100.
Website:
www.corkkerry.ie The center offers an approved and registered accommodation booking service, bureau de change facilities, ticket booking services, guide books for sale, help with itinerary and route planning, multilingual facilities, information about events in the area, local craft display and sale of souvenirs.
Key Attractions:St Anne’s Church St Anne’s Church is one of Cork’s true landmarks. Built in 1722 on a hill above the city, it offers visitors the chance to scale the stairs inside the steeple walls to a parapet that has 360-degree views of the city. Moreover, it is possible to play the church’s eight bells with the assistance of sheet tune cards.
Church Street, Shandon
Tel: (021) 450 5906.
The English Market The covered
English Market is one of Cork’s greatest assets, with a wonderful, lively atmosphere and an array of meat outlets, fruit and vegetable shops, fishmongers, Italian and French cheese stalls, fresh bread stands and much more. Open Monday to Saturday 0900-1730.
Entrances on Princes Street, Patrick Street and the Grand Parade
The Cork Butter Museum This museum on O’Connell Square celebrates one of the great Irish success stories, the butter trade, which was central to Cork’s prosperity from the late 18th century onwards. Cork was at one point the largest butter market in the world.
O’Connell Square
Tel: (021) 430 0600.
Website:
www.corkbutter.museum Crawford Municipal Art Gallery Located beside the Opera House in the heart of the city,
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery has a permanent collection comprising over 2,000 art works, ranging from 18th-century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. At the heart of the collection is a number of Greek and Roman sculpture casts, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome.
Emmet Place
Tel: (021) 490 7855.
Website:
www.crawfordartgallery.com Blarney Castle Blarney Castle in Blarney, a village 8km (5 miles) to the northwest of Cork, is among Ireland’s oldest castles. It is famous for its stone, the Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it.
Blarney
Tel: (021) 438 5252.
Website:
www.blarneycastle.ie Further Distractions:Cork City Gaol The gaol is a castle-like building showing vividly what life must have been like for those unfortunate enough to have been imprisoned here from 1824 to 1923. The building also houses an interesting radio museum.
Convent Avenue, Sunday’s Well
Tel: (021) 430 5022.
Website:
www.corkcitygaol.com
Cork Vision Center The
Cork Vision Center provides a richly informative introduction to Cork’s geography and history and includes a detailed 1:500-scale model of the city. The center offers visitors the chance to explore Cork’s evolution from past, through present, and onwards to future development.
St Peter’s, North Main Street
Tel: (021) 427 9925.
Website:
www.corkvisioncenter.com
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