Guidebook for Cork
(1 day city walking tour follow sightseeing steps 1-9)
Food Scene
A small, intimate and reasonably priced bistro style restaurant, this is one of my favourites when I'm going for a decent meal and drink
14A French Church St
14A French Church StreetA small, intimate and reasonably priced bistro style restaurant, this is one of my favourites when I'm going for a decent meal and drink
Literally my favourite brunch place of anywhere I've been (I adore breakfast food!)
Can be extremely busy but they (finally) operate a virtual q system - check out their socials
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Liberty Grill
32 Washington StLiterally my favourite brunch place of anywhere I've been (I adore breakfast food!)
Can be extremely busy but they (finally) operate a virtual q system - check out their socials
Famous for it's "9 before 9" ....i.e. one special every day is €9 if ordered before 9pm. I've never ever had a bad one, portion size is large, sit in or take away, free ice cream if you sit in (sometimes! Since cost of living crisis the machine is frequently 'out of order')
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Ramen
21 Anglesea StFamous for it's "9 before 9" ....i.e. one special every day is €9 if ordered before 9pm. I've never ever had a bad one, portion size is large, sit in or take away, free ice cream if you sit in (sometimes! Since cost of living crisis the machine is frequently 'out of order')
A hugely successful immigrant story, Izz and his family run a small Palestinian cafe selling mananeesh, hummus, basbouseh etc
If dining in I'd highly recommend the sharing tasting platter or if getting takeaway try one of their 'picnic boxes' which you can tailor to suit your own tastes, yum! Their labneh is divine, their turkish coffee is out of this world, they are very reasonably priced and were amazing to the community but in particular healthcare workers during the covid crisis
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Izz Cafe
13-14 George's QuayA hugely successful immigrant story, Izz and his family run a small Palestinian cafe selling mananeesh, hummus, basbouseh etc
If dining in I'd highly recommend the sharing tasting platter or if getting takeaway try one of their 'picnic boxes' which you can tailor to suit your own tastes, yum! Their labneh is divine, their turkish coffee is out of this world, they are very reasonably priced and were amazing to the community but in particular healthcare workers during the covid crisis
Drinks & Nightlife
A traditional, local, Irish bar - run by locals, filled with locals, yet an amazing array of gin, beer and whiskey! Award winning music venue, and always a friendly face, a 1 minute walk away.
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Coughlans Bar & Live Music Venue
7 Douglas StA traditional, local, Irish bar - run by locals, filled with locals, yet an amazing array of gin, beer and whiskey! Award winning music venue, and always a friendly face, a 1 minute walk away.
Straight drinking here folks, spot of music, maybe a game of cards, standing room only after 9 usually, this is the old school pub scene of Ireland - rapidly disappearing this is one of the last 'early houses' and specialises in pure, unadulterated drinking.
The Welcome Inn
24 Parnell PlStraight drinking here folks, spot of music, maybe a game of cards, standing room only after 9 usually, this is the old school pub scene of Ireland - rapidly disappearing this is one of the last 'early houses' and specialises in pure, unadulterated drinking.
Ancient old bar, famous for it's nightly trad sessions and the snug with the fire.
An Spailpín Fánach
29 S Main StAncient old bar, famous for it's nightly trad sessions and the snug with the fire.
A small, sprawling, locals bar, featuring 100s of gins, whiskeys, and residents from my street (and maybe even me!)
Music when it's on is always going to be amazing and is often free
There's also a hidden stage up the back, to the left, down the courtyard and turn right ;) - this place is a true labyrinth!
It seriously helps it's only a 3 minute walk from the house too
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Coughlans Bar & Live Music Venue
7 Douglas StA small, sprawling, locals bar, featuring 100s of gins, whiskeys, and residents from my street (and maybe even me!)
Music when it's on is always going to be amazing and is often free
There's also a hidden stage up the back, to the left, down the courtyard and turn right ;) - this place is a true labyrinth!
It seriously helps it's only a 3 minute walk from the house too
Food stalls, rain proof, markets at certain times of the year (Christmas etc), wine bar, dog friendly, tonnes of cafes' and permanent craft/jewellery stalls
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Marina Market
Centre Park RoadFood stalls, rain proof, markets at certain times of the year (Christmas etc), wine bar, dog friendly, tonnes of cafes' and permanent craft/jewellery stalls
Sightseeing
1) A converted and upgraded school and convent, NN now hosts a museum, local craft and unique gifts, beautiful tranquil grounds to wander around in, great coffee in the bookshop upstairs and to top it off one of the best cafe's in Cork (hidden away in the gardens!) the Good Day Deli
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Nano Nagle Place
Douglas Street1) A converted and upgraded school and convent, NN now hosts a museum, local craft and unique gifts, beautiful tranquil grounds to wander around in, great coffee in the bookshop upstairs and to top it off one of the best cafe's in Cork (hidden away in the gardens!) the Good Day Deli
2) Free!!
This is a landmark 17th century defensive star shaped fort, on the famous Barrack Street. This was used as a garda station until recently but is now run by the council, it is free to wander around and there are free tours at certain times (check their socials). Outstanding views of Cork city, travelling exhibitions, local exhibitions, and from this year onwards there will be concerts at night in the courtyard
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Elizabeth Fort
Barrack Street2) Free!!
This is a landmark 17th century defensive star shaped fort, on the famous Barrack Street. This was used as a garda station until recently but is now run by the council, it is free to wander around and there are free tours at certain times (check their socials). Outstanding views of Cork city, travelling exhibitions, local exhibitions, and from this year onwards there will be concerts at night in the courtyard
3) Right next door to the Elizabeth Fort is St Finbarr's Cathedral, a site occupied first by Catholics in the 7th century (and Cork City's founder - St. Finbarr himself) then Church of Ireland (Protestant), then Anglican, and now Protestant again! (Pretty much sums up much of Cork's history :)
The grounds and church are worthy of a wander around, if you're religious it's a nice place for a prayer, and there are beautiful concerts and services held here regularly, check their website.
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Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
Bishop Street3) Right next door to the Elizabeth Fort is St Finbarr's Cathedral, a site occupied first by Catholics in the 7th century (and Cork City's founder - St. Finbarr himself) then Church of Ireland (Protestant), then Anglican, and now Protestant again! (Pretty much sums up much of Cork's history :)
The grounds and church are worthy of a wander around, if you're religious it's a nice place for a prayer, and there are beautiful concerts and services held here regularly, check their website.
4) Check out the quad (pictured), if it's open the Aula Maxima will remind you of a scene from Harry Potter, and wander the grounds for free, taking in the student vibes. All the restaurants, cafe's, bars and shops on site are available to any one, there is a small walking tour available from the gift shop located in the cloisters of the quad, check their socials. Be sure to go to step 5) by going down the back stairs behind the quad and through the wildflower meadow to get the best experience
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University College Cork (UCC)
College Road4) Check out the quad (pictured), if it's open the Aula Maxima will remind you of a scene from Harry Potter, and wander the grounds for free, taking in the student vibes. All the restaurants, cafe's, bars and shops on site are available to any one, there is a small walking tour available from the gift shop located in the cloisters of the quad, check their socials. Be sure to go to step 5) by going down the back stairs behind the quad and through the wildflower meadow to get the best experience
5) This is an 18th century walkway designed for the rich and noble at the time, remnants of which are still visible. The park situated here is the Cork version of Central Park, with tonnes of activities and events, or to just sit and enjoy the sunshine
Mardyke Walk, Mardyke, Cork, Irlanda
5) This is an 18th century walkway designed for the rich and noble at the time, remnants of which are still visible. The park situated here is the Cork version of Central Park, with tonnes of activities and events, or to just sit and enjoy the sunshine
6) A follow on from Mardyke Walk, Fitzgeralds is our Central Park, with visible 18th century elements (the Pavilion and Lord Mayors House - now the museum), and the fountain, along with modern day conversions such as the plaza and auditorium. Wander the grounds, meet friends, drink a coffee, play frisbee, whatever you want! The old formal rose garden still exists in the upper west corner too. The museum here is Cork Public Museum and is free to visit, showcasing Corks history permanently and a visiting exhibition too. There is a lovely bakery onsite at the rear, Natural Foods Company who bake artisan breads and use fresh local ingredients. A great place for your lunch stop.
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Fitzgerald Park
6) A follow on from Mardyke Walk, Fitzgeralds is our Central Park, with visible 18th century elements (the Pavilion and Lord Mayors House - now the museum), and the fountain, along with modern day conversions such as the plaza and auditorium. Wander the grounds, meet friends, drink a coffee, play frisbee, whatever you want! The old formal rose garden still exists in the upper west corner too. The museum here is Cork Public Museum and is free to visit, showcasing Corks history permanently and a visiting exhibition too. There is a lovely bakery onsite at the rear, Natural Foods Company who bake artisan breads and use fresh local ingredients. A great place for your lunch stop.
7) This bridge spans the North channel of the Lee and takes you to Sunday's Well (wealthy sea merchant side of the city!)
It is a suspension bridge, and so has a 'wobble', you'll find lots of people mid way jumping up and down, a definite Cork tradition you have to try!
In summer locals will be jumping off the bridge into the fast moving waters below (remember Corks waters are always about 10C - only for the brave!)
Daly's Bridge (shakey bridge)
7) This bridge spans the North channel of the Lee and takes you to Sunday's Well (wealthy sea merchant side of the city!)
It is a suspension bridge, and so has a 'wobble', you'll find lots of people mid way jumping up and down, a definite Cork tradition you have to try!
In summer locals will be jumping off the bridge into the fast moving waters below (remember Corks waters are always about 10C - only for the brave!)
8) Bring a jumper!!!
This is the grim side of Ireland's history - the gaol (gaol is an old High English/Gaullian word for jail and commonly used across Ireland) was a 19th century British penal gaol, used mostly to keep the destitute destitute! But, I won't spoil the tale for you - if you're from NZ or Aus, you might find your GGGrandad in the records, since deportation was a common sentence here...
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Cork City Gaol
Convent Avenue8) Bring a jumper!!!
This is the grim side of Ireland's history - the gaol (gaol is an old High English/Gaullian word for jail and commonly used across Ireland) was a 19th century British penal gaol, used mostly to keep the destitute destitute! But, I won't spoil the tale for you - if you're from NZ or Aus, you might find your GGGrandad in the records, since deportation was a common sentence here...
A brand new park designed for skaters, kids and to function as a flood plain for the river, stroll through here after a visit to the market, check out the GAA stadium (which will soon be offering tours) and out on to the Marina, a pedestrianised walkway buffing the river, all the way down to Blackrock village
Marina Park, Ballintemple, Cork, Irlanda
A brand new park designed for skaters, kids and to function as a flood plain for the river, stroll through here after a visit to the market, check out the GAA stadium (which will soon be offering tours) and out on to the Marina, a pedestrianised walkway buffing the river, all the way down to Blackrock village
The heart of Blackrock village has a large plaza set out on the river front, enclosed by the local rowing club (Cork Boat Club), a bakery, sandwich shop and an italian deli (check out their doorstop sandwiches!), the pier head bar is a great place to sit out, people watch and have a pint, or head up the hill to the Leaping Salmon for a cocktail and pizza, or the Maple leaf - a locals bar.
From here if you're into scenic walks or cycles head out the Castle road, past Blackrock Castle and onto the greenway, which will take you on a 10km loop through the former Blackrock railway line (therefore all the locals call the walkway the 'Line') under 18th century limestone bridges, 19th century iron mongered bridges and back to the Atlantic Pond and Marina Park
Blackrock Village
The heart of Blackrock village has a large plaza set out on the river front, enclosed by the local rowing club (Cork Boat Club), a bakery, sandwich shop and an italian deli (check out their doorstop sandwiches!), the pier head bar is a great place to sit out, people watch and have a pint, or head up the hill to the Leaping Salmon for a cocktail and pizza, or the Maple leaf - a locals bar.
From here if you're into scenic walks or cycles head out the Castle road, past Blackrock Castle and onto the greenway, which will take you on a 10km loop through the former Blackrock railway line (therefore all the locals call the walkway the 'Line') under 18th century limestone bridges, 19th century iron mongered bridges and back to the Atlantic Pond and Marina Park
8) A really lovely old upper class area for the rich merchants in Corks maritime past, this area is now full of local residents, churches and universities, and as a bonus if you go here after the gaol, you'll be going downhill not up!
Sundays Well A
8) A really lovely old upper class area for the rich merchants in Corks maritime past, this area is now full of local residents, churches and universities, and as a bonus if you go here after the gaol, you'll be going downhill not up!
9) The best place to rest your weary feet after a long day walking, this pub has a hidden historic artefact (ask the staff!), grab a brewed onsite beer or stout, and at weekends there's pizza made in the oven in the beer garden, a lovely way to end your day.
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Franciscan Well Brewery
14 N Mall9) The best place to rest your weary feet after a long day walking, this pub has a hidden historic artefact (ask the staff!), grab a brewed onsite beer or stout, and at weekends there's pizza made in the oven in the beer garden, a lovely way to end your day.
Coffee stops
A quirky flower shop at the end of the street, Justine and her fabulous team sell locally produced artisan products which rotate constantly, everything from handmade cards, nostalgia, models, jewellery, homemade soaps etc., and on top of all that sell coffee that you can drink in one of Cork's many 'parklets' right outside her door, sharing the space with flowers, bees and locals alike :)
Cork Flower Studio
A quirky flower shop at the end of the street, Justine and her fabulous team sell locally produced artisan products which rotate constantly, everything from handmade cards, nostalgia, models, jewellery, homemade soaps etc., and on top of all that sell coffee that you can drink in one of Cork's many 'parklets' right outside her door, sharing the space with flowers, bees and locals alike :)
Simply superb coffee, and gorgeous cakes (usually sold out by 12!) and only 4 minutes walk away
Oh, its dog friendly too! (Expect queues)
Cafe Moly
Simply superb coffee, and gorgeous cakes (usually sold out by 12!) and only 4 minutes walk away
Oh, its dog friendly too! (Expect queues)