Do you really know your county? It’s the most beautiful place in Ireland (of course!) and we have put together a guide to help you see Cork in all its glory, by doing one thing per month that will make you fall in love with the beauty and history that is on our doorstep.
January
Check out the newly-opened Marina Park. The project completed by Cork City Council is complete, and all areas, including the Atlantic Pond and Sunken Garden, are now open. The completed park is five times the size of Fitzgerald’s Park, and the reopened Atlantic Pond now has wider paths, new seating, three new bridges and an amphitheatre-style area where you can sit and enjoy nature.
Afterwards head to the Marina Market for a bite to eat. It has over 35 food and drink vendors, including coffee shops and pizza restaurants and cuisines from around the world, like Lebanese falafel and Korean fried chicken. Those doing Dry January should head to Saor, the zero‑alcohol bar that offers people the opportunity to enjoy a delicious drink in a social, uplifting and classic bar setting without a drop of alcohol being poured. See marinamarket.ie
February
Cork is the culinary capital of Ireland, home to the iconic and centuries-old English Market , the contemporary and vibrant Marina Market and Black Market, and numerous artisan food producers. It has an abundance of fish and seafood producers, thanks to possessing the largest coastline in Ireland, and then, of course, there’s the amazing Ballymaloe food legacy.
Why not learn more by taking one of the Cork Food Trails, where you make your way around Cork city, tasting the best food and meeting some great people with a local experienced guide. The trails are fantastic, and were described by Pól O Conghaile, travel editor of the Irish Independent, as “the gold standard for urban food tours in Ireland”.
See www.fabfoodtrails.ie/tours/cork-tasting-trails
March
While most of the country will be celebrating St Patrick’s feast day, take yourself off to the Gougane Barra, where St Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork, founded his first monastery. There’s loads to do – you can enjoy the walking trails, climb to the source of the River Lee, check out the iconic church and dine al fresco at the great picnic spots.
Stop off on the way home at Toons Bridge for one of the best pizzas you’ll ever have – and take home some cheese to remind yourself of your great day out.
See toonsbridgedairy.com/pages/toons-bridge-pizzeria
April
Take a walking tour of Cork city with Cllr Kieran McCarthy. Kieran has famously created a series of walking tours across the south east ward and across the city’s suburbs, extending out from his city centre tours. These walking tours focus on the landscapes, built heritage and memories within 25 areas, which you can read about on his dedicated Cork heritage website.
Having built up an appetite with the walking, check out O’Connell’s brand new takeaway food hub, where you will get some of the best fish and chips in the city. See www.koconnellfish.com
May
As the weather will be getting warmer, take a walk and a dip on Long Strand in West Cork, which is about 2.4 km long, and is a beautiful, dog-friendly sandy beach that’s popular for walks and surfing.
While you’re there, visit The Fish Basket takeaway located at its western end near Castlefreke, offering fresh seafood with lovely views.
See thefishbasket.ie
June
Stay in a traditional Mongolian yurt at Chléire Haven Glamping on Cape Clear Island. Situated on Ireland’s most southerly Irish speaking inhabited island, it offers a unique, cosy, and nature-connected experience with stunning bay views, log-burning stoves, and proximity to nature walks.
You have a choice for your holiday accommodation, all exciting in their own right and very different. You can stay in one of the luxury yurts or stylish bell tents, or alternatively, you could bring your own tent. .It’s best to book ahead as it’s a popular spot.
See chleire-haven.ie
July
With the summer in full swing, take a boat trip down the River Lee to see Cork Harbour in all its glory. The harbour, and its surrounding areas, is a beautiful destination, and is the second largest natural harbour in the world.
Cork Harbour’s natural beauty is undeniable, with its breath-taking coastal views, island retreats, colourful houses, picturesque villages and long, sandy beaches. Steeped in history, you’ll learn about its man-made fortifications, maritime tradition and the key role it has played in significant points of Irish history.
August
Take a train from Kent Station to the charming and historic town of Cobh, and explore the Titanic Experience. This unique visitor experience is located in the historic White Star Line Building – the very place from where Titanic’s last passengers departed – and it features real passenger stories and eyewitness accounts of the tragedy.
Take a guided tour and retrace the footsteps of the Queenstown passengers. See titanicexperiencecobh.ie
Another great exhibition to check out is the Queenstown Story, which tells the tale of the millions of people who left the country through the Port of Cobh throughout the 19th Century.
See discoveringireland.com/vacations/the-queenstown-story
And finally, take a visit to Spike Island, Ireland’s answer to Alcatraz, which, has been a monastery, fortress and prison down through the centuries.
Top off your day with a meal at Azure Harbour Bistro, which offers a fresh take on modern European dining, thoughtfully inspired by its coastal setting and global culinary journey. – see azurebistro.ie
September
Take a visit to the magnificent Doneraile Estate. The 166-hectare Doneraile Court & Wildlife Park is an outstanding example of an 18th century landscaped park in the Capability Brown style. Visitors to the park can enjoy its magnificent vistas, specimen tree avenues and formal still water ponds, while viewing the various herds of deer grazing alongside rare breed Kerry cattle.
You can take a guided tour of North Cork’s “Downton Abbey”, which was built by the St Leger family around 1645 on the site of a ruined castle.
See heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/doneraile-court-and-estate
October
Get to know your city by taking an Open Top Tour of Cork. You’ll get panoramic views of the city from the top deck of the bus, which travels through the historic streets of Cork. See the beautiful Victorian Quarter, the famous St. Patrick’s Quay, the sacred sights of Shandon Cathedral and Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and check out Fitzgerald Park and the UCC campus.
See corkcitytours.com/tour/cork-city-hop-on-hop-off
As this is a day tour, you will need some sustenance, so we recommend a doorstop sandwich from the iconic Long Valley. At the end of the tour, have a pint of Murphys at one of the other Cork legendary bars, like Le Chateau or Mutton Lane Inn.
November
Muffle up on a clear, crisp November morning and cycle the greenway from Youghal to Midleton. The 23km long Greenway is an off-road walking and cycling route through the heart of East Cork, which connects the towns and villages of Midleton, Mogeely, Killeagh and Youghal. See the route on corkcoco.ie/en/resident/greenways/midleton-to-youghal-greenway.
Bike rental – including electric bikes to make it easier – are available from youghalbikerental.com.
Check out the charming town and enjoy lunch at The Walter Raleigh Hotel, which has great food, service and an open fire. There are also super sea view rooms in this seaside town if you opt to stay over. See walterraleighhotel.com
If you are staying over, catch a film at the fabulous Regal Cinema – see regalcinema.ie
December
Nothing screams Christmas in Cork like Corkmas, the annual celebration that gives you Christmas markets, a Santa experience and a massive celebration of the festive season. If you want to get the perfect bird’s eye view of the city, take two trips on the ferris wheel – one in daylight and the other at night time.
By day, it gives you a sweeping, bright view of Cork’s peaks and valleys, the rooftops, church steeples, colourful buildings and streets. By night, it transforms into something magical, with Cork glowing below in a shimmer of lights and glistening reflections.
See corkcity.ie/en/a-cork-christmas-celebration
