Cork City is a thriving center of Ireland's south filled with history, good food and spectacular sights. Yet it is often overlooked for its better known neighbors like Dublin and Galway .
However, the county of Cork is worth a holiday all on its own , with something for every kind of visitor. There's whale watching, distilleries, walking tours and more all within driving distance.
Here are some ideas to start off with when planning a quick trip to the Rebel County.
The Midleton Distillery
The Midleton Distillery Experience is a must for any fans of Irish whiskey. Midleton, located about 14 miles from the city center, is the only location where the world's third most popular whiskey, Jameson, is made.
Over 10.7 million bottles of Jameson were sold last year, a record high for an Irish spirit, and many of them made their way to the US. The Midleton Distillery is the epicenter of it all, pumping out millions of casks of Jameson, Powers, Midleton Rare, Redbreast, Spot whiskeys and more since 1975.
An interactive tour runs multiple times per day at the distillery and hundreds of visitors are hosted daily. Groups are shown around the large complex by a knowledgeable guide who can answer every whiskey or history question they might have.
The experience focuses more on the history of Irish whiskey than the process itself, though the steps are also broken down into an understandable fashion. Visitors can check out the world's biggest copper still at the site, as well as the historic grain stores that were once used as military barracks and mills.
Groups will also learn about prohibition, the differences between Scotch and Irish whiskey, how barrels are made and more. The tour ends with a tasting and a complimentary cocktail at the distillery's modern new bar.
Take in the view
The Shandon Bells at the Church of St Anne have become a symbol of Cork City. The 18th century tower is home to a clock that rings out every hour, as well as 360 degree views of the city atop its 132 steps.
The church is open to visitors and the park nearby is always buzzing with people. It's located right near the city center, where countless shops and an award-winning gallery, the Crawford Art Gallery, can also entertain you before or after your walk.
For a more luxurious experience of Cork's views, head to The Montenotte Hotel, a four star boutique hotel perched over the city.
The Montenotte has quickly risen to become one of Cork's most premiere hotels and it recently opened a new cocktail bar called The Glasshouse that's proved popular with locals and visitors alike. The public can also enjoy afternoon tea or a drink on the terrace of the hotel, called Panorama, and take in the breathtaking view of the River Lee.
The hotel also has a large garden for guests to enjoy and it recently unveiled a unique Woodland Suite experience for special occasions. The swanky experience allows guests to sleep under the stars in luxurious octagon-shaped suites with expansive bathrooms, private terraces and access to exclusive Clubhouse to enjoy curated food and drink offerings.
Go on a food tour
Cork is known for vibrant restaurant scene and the city and county have long been tied to culinary greatness. There are many options to choose from, but no trip to Cork is complete without a walk around the English Market.
Independent grocers have been trading in the market, one of Europe’s oldest, since 1788 and the historic, central building has survived wars and the Great Famine . It was even visited by Queen Elizabeth II during her trip to Ireland in 2011.
There are plenty of lunch and dinner options near the market. Good Day Deli is an award-winning spot located just a 10 minute walk from the city center in the beautiful surroundings of Nano Nagle Place, a restored convent where visitors can enjoy thriving gardens and museum displays.
Goldie, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, is also a name sure to come up amongst Ireland's foodies. Chef and owner Aishling Moore was named the best chef in Ireland earlier this year and her kitchen, which utilizes the daily catch from local boats, operates a well-priced, rotating menu that shows off the best of Irish seafood.
For vegetarians, there’s Paradiso, another Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Sonflour Italian, or the long-running Izz Café. Ichigo Ichie on Sheares Street is the city’s lone Michelin Star winner for 2023.
The Marina Market, an indoor food market with everything from burritos and pizzas to doughnuts and smoothies, is also worth a stop for anyone looking for a casual bite. The Covid-era success story is always buzzing with diners from all over the city and county, and it’s an easy way to please a group of picky eaters.
If you can't choose, try out one of the city's food tours, which can easily be booked online.
Take a trip to the sea
Cork City is located under 30 minutes from the start of Ireland's famous Wild Atlantic Way. The town of Kinsale marks the beginning of the coastal driving route and it's easily accessible by bus or car for a quick day trip from Cork City.
A sister town of Newport, Rhode Island , Kinsale is famous for its yachting, bright buildings, and fresh seafood. There's a daily walking tour of the town, but the best thing to do is to sit back and enjoy the views from one of the local pubs or restaurants.
Cobh offers a similar experience in the eastern part of Cork, and it can be reached quickly by train from the city. The top thing to do during a visit is The Titanic Experience, where you can learn all about the passengers who boarded the fateful ship in Cobh before it took off on its fateful journey to New York City .
If you're up for a longer spell in the car, head to Baltimore, another breathtaking coastal town on the Wild Atlantic Way. The trip takes about an hour and 20 minutes but the views from the harbor are worth it.
For a special experience, join Whale Watch West Cork for a half day excursion across Baltimore Harbor. Minke, Fin and Humpback Whales can all be spotted in Ireland's waters at different times of the year, as well as Common Dolphins, Seals and Harbour Porpoises.
The tour's operator, marine expert Nic Slocum, talks visitors through all of the breeds while navigating the Atlantic for a memorable experience with plenty of photo opportunities.
Apart from the wildlife, you can also see the Fastnet Lighthouse, known as Ireland's teardrop to US immigrants, aboard the ship and explore Cape Clear Island during a quick stopover.
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Kiss the Blarney Stone
The Irish are famous for talking, and you may have heard someone ask if you've kissed the Blarney Stone if you're prone to yapping. The stone is a real artifact that has been preserved, and it's worth a trip to see it if you're in Cork.
Blarney is located about a 15 minute drive from the city center and it's world famous castle is easy to get to by bus or taxi.
Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy, Blarney Castle attracts over 200,000 people every year. Visitors can tour the castle and explore the gardens, but the big thing to do is to kiss the Blarney Stone.
The limestone block is built into the castle's battlements and those who choose to kiss it (it does get cleaned) are lowered on their backs and hang over an edge to get the job done. Those who kiss it are said to be gifted with the ability to talk forevermore - hopefully about their experiences in the stunning county of Cork.
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