Cork, Ireland — Where to Go
Cork Sightseeing Overview
Cork 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 a variety of lively, bustling covered and outdoors markets. 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 city has plenty of interest to offer, there is also 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.
Cork Tourist Information
The 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 in Cork, Ireland
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.
Website: www.shandonbells.org
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.
Entrances on Princes Street, Patrick Street and the Grand Parade
Tel: (021) 425 5100.
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.ie
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, County Cork
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
