Three Day Cork Itinerary

For your first full day in the city, begin your morning sunny side up with a delicious breakfast at our award-winning Greenes Restaurant. Is there any better way to start the day than sipping your morning coffee with the backdrop of Cork City’s own waterfall?  

Set off on a stroll down the North Mall Riverside, a beautiful morning walk encompassing many bridges, coffee shops, and vintage stores. While away some time on one of the many benches overlooking the city or perhaps take a diversion up the steps to the Shandon Quarter, one of the city’s oldest quarters.  Climb the 132 steps to the top of the Shandon Bell Tower and see spectacular 360-degree views of the city at 36.65m/120ft.  If that’s not starting your day off on a high note, I don’t know what is.  Stock up on some homemade sweets at Linehan’s Sweet Shop, one of the oldest sweet shops in Ireland.  You will need the sugar rush to climb the hill to the City Gaol for your next stop.

Don’t worry, Cork City Gaol no longer houses real prisoners but they do an excellent job of recreating nineteenth-century prison life.  Admission also includes entry to the radio museum upstairs.  Yes, very quirky but definitely worthwhile.

Fancy a breath of fresh air after the confines of prison life?  A mere ten-minute walk will get you to the pretty park of Fitzgerald Park. Children will love the newly designed playground and the duck pond whereas those in search of a more educational experience can pass some time at the free Cork Public Museum, which provides a history of the city from the Stone Age right up to the present moment.

All that walking and learning made you hungry?  Fear not, hop into Cork’s number one visitor attraction: the English Market.   Dating back to 1788, the English Market is sure to satisfy every possible dietary need you may have. The Farm Gate Restaurant upstairs is the perfect spot for lunch although beware, it fills up very fast.  Closed Sundays and bank holidays.

Of course, no visit to Cork City would be complete without at least getting a selfie in front of the imposing nineteenth-century neo-gothic masterpiece that is St Finbarr’s Cathedral.  Definitely a must for all those who appreciate good architecture!

Adjacent to St Finbarr’s Cathedral lies the hidden gem that is Elizabeth Fort.  Boasting free entry and magnificent city views, it gives a good overview of the city’s history as well as an air-raid shelter.

Finish your afternoon with a visit to the nearby Nano Nagle Place Centre, Cork’s newest visitor attraction commemorating the life of the pioneering “Lady of the Lamp”, Nano Nagle who established a network of schools in Cork during the Penal Laws as well as founding the Presentation Sisters.  This fun and interactive exhibition takes the visitor on an evocative journey through 18th century Cork City.  The centre also contains peaceful gardens for visitors to relax in- a true oasis of calm in the heart of Cork City.

After an active day, wind down with a cocktail and some food at our award-winning cocktail bar Cask. You’ve earned it!  The menu changes every twelve weeks so it’s always local and in season.  Deciding which one to choose may very well be your most difficult decision of the day.