Cork City

Cycling

Rent a bike and enjoy a tour around Cork’s sightseeing spots. The local tourist office will point you in the right direction for stockists.

Golf

You don’t have to worry about heading out of the city for golf because the Ted McCarthy Municipal Golf Course is just three miles from the centre of Cork.

Hurling

Experience one of Ireland’s most exhilarating indigenous sports with the Munster Club Hurling Championship.

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Chuckies Playzone, Wilton

This large indoor play centre is packed with cool slides and a big ball pond. It has also been specifically designed to cater for children with special needs.

Cork City Gaol

Unlock the past in a wonderfully preserved old gaol (jail) with life-sized wax figures representing different periods in Irish history. The prison has a haunting atmosphere with grafitti on the cell walls and it was from here that thousands were transported on coffin ships to America and Australia.

Foto Wildlife Park

Take a walk on the wild side in Cork's fabulous wildlife park, with wallabies, cheetahs, penguins and many, many more, it's a nature trail to remember.

Cork Opera House

Over 150 years old, the Cork Opera House offers a world-class programme of events across all disciplines in the performing arts. It’s Cork’s premier venue and boasts a 1,000-seat auditorium.

Crawford Municipal Art Gallery

The city art museum, located right in the heart of Cork City in a stunning building, welcomes more than 200,000 visitors a year. The collection comprises over 2,000 works from 18th-century Irish and European painting and sculpture through to modern video installations.

Festivals

The Cork Choral Festival is one of Europe’s premier choral festivals, and is held annually in Cork City Hall. Ireland’s film fraternity descends on the city in October for the Cork Film Festival and a pure party atmosphere. The Cork Jazz Festival, meanwhile, entertains around 40,000 revellers with a host of excellent local and international artists.

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Hayfield Manor Hotel

This deluxe hotel has the feeling of a country house and is a wonderfully grand and opulent place to rest your head.

Pub and bars

Currently one of the most popular bars in Cork, Bodega is a hip spot in a converted warehouse, which has a lovely laid-back atmosphere and stylish décor. Rhino Rooms is a stylish and rather tiny bar that’s popular with a trendy crowd. For old-school atmosphere and a more traditional vibe, try the lovely Castle Inn with its cosy front snug.

Restaurants

Cork enjoys a really lively restaurant scene with a variety of delightful places to dine in. Café Paradiso [www.cafeparadiso.ie] is a wonderful, critically acclaimed vegetarian restaurant that’s as popular with carnivores as it is with veggies. The seasonal menus make the most of fresh local organic ingredients. Fenns Quay [www.fennsquay.ie] is a good spot for a casual mid-morning snack, lunch or dinner. Husband and wife team Pat and Eilish O’Leary serve up simple quality dishes at affordable prices in this pleasant 250-year-old listed building. Innovative chef Seamus O’Connell gets creative at The Ivory Tower and his unique style has earned him a loyal following and lots of rave reviews. Jacobs on the Mall [www.jacobsonthemall.com] is a stylish contemporary, highly-regarded restaurant with modern European dishes and locally sourced organic and free range ingredients. For some stylish French fine dining try Les Gourmandises Restaurant [www.lesgourmandises.ie], or for a good value traditional Cork-style lunch try the Farmgate Café in the first floor of the English Market. Finally, if you’re after some delicious Japanese fast food, head to Wagamama [www.wagamama.ie].

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Boo, 3 Faulkner’s Lane (off Patrick Street)

Hip bar that gets packed on weekends.

Instinct, Market Lane, off Patrick Street, Cork;

Cork’s premier gay venue.

The Other Place, St Augustine Street, Cork;

Full-on parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a predominately male crowd.

Beth, Cork

Smart boutique with an excellent selection of women’s designer labels.

Brown Thomas, Cork

Elegant department store specialising in top designer labels.

The English Market, Grand Parade, Cork

A must-visit for those with even a passing interest in gourmet food.

Cork Butter Museum

The dairy industry is central to the history of Cork and this unique museum traces the craft of butter making right back to the late 17th century.

St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Dean Street

Built by William Burges at the end of the 19th century, St. Fin Barre’s is on a site that dates back to the 7th century. The present cathedral is within easy walking distance of the city centre and enjoys beautiful marble mosaics from the Pyrenees.