Cork (city)

Understand

Corcaigh is an old word for "salt-marsh" — the River Lee broke up into a wetland delta draining into the drowned valley that forms its natural outer harbour. It was tidal and navigable, and Saint Fin Barre founded a monastery on its south bank in 606 AD, the nucleus of a settlement. The Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries and the Anglo-Normans from the 12th were also attracted by this fertile area, and sought to claim the area as their own. It was under King Henry II that Cork was granted city status in 1185. Medieval Cork was walled for defence and overcrowded, so several river channels became infilled, the basis of what is now St Patrick's Street, South Mall and Grand Parade. The main north and south channels persisted, enclosing the arrow-shaped island of the city centre. Cork's heyday was the 17th century, when sea trade was booming but ships had not yet outgrown the river; later the port moved downstream to Cobh. Prosperous suburbs such as Sunday's Well and Montenotte were built on higher ground on the north bank, while on the south bank a university campus grew up from the 19th century. The Cork Tourist Information Centre is at 125 St Patrick's St, corner of Lavitt's Quay one block west of the bus station.

Getting there

By plane 1 Cork Airport (ORK IATA), Kinsale Rd (8 km south of centre on N27), ☏ +353 21 431 3131. The main operators are Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Flights are short-haul from the UK and Europe: the runway is too small for wide-bodied jets so there's nothing transatlantic or from the Gulf. UK destinations are London (Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted), Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne. Year-round European destinations are Amsterdam, Budapest, Gdansk, Katowice, Krakow, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Malaga, Malta, Munich, Paris CDG, Poznań, Tenerife and Wrocław. There are seasonal flights from other Med destinations and the ski resorts. The airport has a single terminal, with a long hall for departures and arrivals, and a similar long airside hall for departures. There are the usual facilities including car hire. The airport hotel is a short walk away and Travelodge is 2 km north, see Sleep. (updated Mar 2023) To the city: Buses 225 / 226 run every 30 min between the airport, Parnell Place next to Cork bus station, and the main railway station, taking 25 min to the city. Bus 225 starts from Haulbowline navy base via Ringaskiddy cruiser terminal and Carrigaline, Bus 226 starts from Kinsale. In 2023 an adult single is €2.20 by cash and €2 by Leap card. The taxi rank is outside Arrivals. A taxi to city centre might be €25 for up to four passengers. Dublin Airport (DUB IATA) may work out better, for its better range of flights and direct buses to Cork. Shannon Airport (SNN IATA) near Limerick is a good alternative for transatlantic flights. There's public transport to Cork but you'll be wanting a rental car.

By boat

In summer there are car ferries from Roscoff (15 hr) twice a week, operated by Brittany Ferries. 2 Cork Ferry Terminal is at Ringaskiddy, 15 km south east of the city on N28. Bus 223 / 225 runs here, see Get around. Cruise liners often visit: they may dock at Cobh or at Ringaskiddy, or land passengers by tender for excursions. Many are on round-trip itineraries, but check the upcoming cruise schedule in case a point-to-point journey is possible. For instance transatlantic one-way cruises from New York might let you off at Cork on their way to Southampton.

By train

Trains run hourly from Dublin Heuston, taking 2 hr 40 min to Cork via Kildare, Portlaoise, Ballybrophy, Thurles, Limerick Junction (for Tipperary) and Mallow. A walk-up single is around €40, see Irish Rail website for timetables, fares and online tickets. From central Dublin, get a ticket from city centre not Heuston, as this includ

Getting around

On foot Cork has a small city centre, and most places to stay, eat, drink and tour are within one busy km. So too are the transport hubs.

By bicycle There are many cycleways, both in-street and segregated, with some contraflow lanes. The bike share scheme has docking stations across the city centre extending west to UCC. You need to register and pay a deposit of €150. As of Nov 2020, an annual pass is €10 and a 3-day visitor pass is €3. The first 30 min of any journey is free. Cycle shops offering bike hire are Cycle Scene and The Bike Shed. Kilgrews in city centre sell and repair but don't hire.

By train Irish Rail commuter trains serve three lines out of Cork Kent station:

East then south every 30-60 min to Little Island, Glounthaune, Fota (for Wildlife Park), Carrigaloe, Rushbrooke and Cobh, taking 25 min, single fare €5. East every 30-60 min to Little Island, Glounthaune, Carrigtwohill and Midleton, for the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, 25 min, single fare €5. North hourly non-stop to Mallow, for the racecourse, 25 min. Many of these are inter-city trains to Dublin Heuston or Tralee, but you pay the same commuter fare of around €10 single.

By bus

Buses in Cork are run by Bus Éireann, with 22 routes, see map. Apart from three orbital routes that you're unlikely to use (201 north, 219 south and 225 further south), they all run cross-town, with central stops around St Patrick Street, Merchants Quay or Parnell Place main bus station. They run daily 6:30AM-11:30PM, every 10-20 min at peak times, except Bus 220 which runs 24 hours.

Bus 202 from Hollyhill and Knocknaheeney northwest to city centre then Blackrock and Mahon Point southeast. Bus 203 from Farranree and Blackpool in the north to city centre then Turners Cross and Ballyphehane south. Bus 205 from Cork Institute of Technology and University College Cork west to Kent Railway Station. Bus 208 from Curraheen and Cork University Hospital southwest to city centre then Mayfield and Lotabeg northeast. Bus 213 from Black Ash Park & Ride south to St Patrick Street in the city centre; no Sunday service. The P&R is locked at 8:30PM. Bus 214 from Cork University Hospital and Wilton southwest to city centre. Buses 215 and 215A from Jacobs Island and Mahon Point southeast to South Mall in the city centre. Route 215 also extends northwest across the city to Blarney and Cloghroe. Bus 220 runs 24 hours from Ovens and Ballincollig in the west to city centre then Douglas and Carrigaline southeast. Alternate buses continue to Crosshaven. Most bus stops have real time displays. You can also plan your journ

See

[1]1 Crawford Art Gallery, Emmett Place T12 TNE6, ☏ +353 21 480 5042. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM. The permanent collection includes paintings by Jack Yeats and Sean Keating, and a series of plaster casts of classical statues, which King George IV found tedious. The gallery is expected to close for two years from Sep 2024 for rebuilding. Free. (updated Mar 2023) 2 Elizabeth Fort, Barrack St T12 C8A0, ☏ +353 21 497 5947. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. The original fort built in 1601 was just timber and earth, and the citizens made short work of it. It was rebuilt from 1624 as a stout "star" fortress. It lost its defensive role in 1719 but was variously used as a barracks, a depot for convicts (mostly female) awaiting transportation to the colonies, and a police station to 2013. It's now simply a tourist area with a gallery and occasional events, and you can walk along the walls. Free. (updated Mar 2023)

3 St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Bishop St T12 K710, ☏ +353 21 496 3387. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 1-5:30PM. Saint Fin Barre (550-623 AD) was a preacher who spent his last 17 years hereabouts. A monastery dedicated to him was built in the 7th century, and there have been at least three churches on the site before the present building. This is an elaborate Church of Ireland (Anglican) cathedral built 1865-79 in Gothic Revival style. The interior is relatively small: Burgess the architect realised it would go way over budget so the focus was on creating a grand frontage, to impress the citizens and overawe the resurgent Catholics. There are three great spires, intricate carvings and gargoyles, stain glass windows, and a high ceiling over a rather stubby nave. The pipe organ adds to the cathedral's many expensive items of construction and maintenance. Adult €7, conc €6, child free. (updated Mar 2023) 4 Nano Nagle Place, Douglas St T12 X70A, ☏ +353 21 419 3580. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Honora Nagle (1718-1784) pioneered Catholic education for girls in an era when that was repressed by the Penal Laws. She founded an Ursuline convent and the Presentation Sisters, which inspired Edmund Rice in Waterford to found the Presentation Brothers and later Christian Brothers. The museum depicts Nano's life, times and works, and the garden is an oasis of tranquillity. Adult €7.50, conc €5, child €4.50. (updated Mar 2023) Red Abbey Tower is off Douglas St just east of Nano Nagle Place. It's one of the few medieval structures remaining in Cork, the bell tower of a 14th-century Augustinian abbey: in 1690 John Churchill (later Duke of Marlborough) used its vantage point to blast away at the Jaco

Do

What's on? Listen to Cork 96 on 96.4 MHz, C103 on 102.6 MHz, or Red FM on 106.1 MHz. Read Cork Independent, The Echo, The Cork, The Corkman or Cork Beo. Cork City Tours operate a hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city, as well as excursions out to the Jameson Distillery, Mizen Head, and Ring of Kerry. They run May-Sep, and in 2023 the city tour is €18 adult, €16 conc, €7 child. Cork Arts Theatre is on Carroll's Quay, Box Office +353 21 450 5624. Crane Lane Theatre on the block between South Mall and Oliver Plunkett St is a live music venue and bar open to 2AM nightly. Gate Cinema is top of North Main Street by the bridge. Triskel Arts Centre on Tobin Street has a gallery, live music, theatre and a cinema. Cyprus Avenue is a live music venue on Caroline Street. Rebel City Tours are daily guided tours through city streets.

Sports

Gaelic games at 1 Páirc Ui Chaoimh, Ballintemple (2 km east of centre), ☏ +353 21 201 9200. This 45,000 capacity stadium hosts the biggest games. It's the home ground of Cork GAA, the county team, playing Gaelic football and hurling. They have a secondary home stadium at Páirc Uí Rinn, capacity 16,440, and club games are usually played at this and similar-sized grounds: Nemo Rangers for Gaelic football, Blackrock for hurling, St Finbarr's play both. The fixture list is posted by the national GAA. (updated Mar 2023) Football: 2 Cork City FC, St Anne's Park, Turners Cross T12 Y7D6. "The Rebel Army" were relegated in 2025 - they're a yo-yo team and now play soccer in League of Ireland First Division, the second tier. The playing season is Feb–Nov and matches are usually on Friday evenings. Turner's Cross Stadium (capacity 7485) is 1.5 km south of city centre. Take a bus to Evergreen Road or walk; you may not walk on South Link Road. (updated Nov 2025) Rugby Union, 15-a-side: Munster Rugby are one of the four Irish professional teams playing in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the European (predominantly Celtic) league. Their usual home ground is in Limerick, but some home games are at Musgrave Park, capacity 8000 (also known as Virgin Media Park). Junior internationals are also held here. It's off Pearse Rd a mile south of the centre. Go to the races but you need to set off early: Cork Racecourse is at Mallow 35 km north.

Events St Patrick's Day on 17 March is a big event here, with streets closed off for the parade. Cork Midsummer Festival features theatre, music, dance, painting, and photograph in mid-June. Cork Jazz Festival is held in late October. Cork International Film Festival is held in November.

Buy

Shopping areas are along St Patrick's Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Paul Street and North Main Street. 1 English Market, Grand Parade, South Mall (main entrances on Grand Parade and Princes St, side entry from Plunkett and Patrick streets). M-Sa 8AM-6PM. This covered market was created in 1788 by the Protestant or English city rulers; in 1840 the Irish Catholics took over and set up Irish Market at St Peters. It's primarily a fresh-food market: several stalls do sandwiches and other takeaways, and Farmgate Cafe is open to 4PM. (updated Mar 2023) Farmers' Markets are held at Blackrock (Su 10AM-2PM), Mahon Point (Th 10AM-2PM), Douglas (Sa 10AM-2PM) and Midleton (Sa 9AM-1PM).

Eat

Eating places and bars are everywhere, but especially on MacCurtain Street, Washington Street and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Budget 1 Dukes Coffee Company, 4 Carey's Lane T12 YY89, ☏ +353 21 490 5877. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Big portions, slick service. (updated Feb 2023) My Goodness, Unit 2, English Market, Princes St T12 W9XP (in Market Hall). Vegan cafe. (updated Feb 2023) Kellys Restaurant, 64 Oliver Plunkett St T12 K5FH (upstairs, opposite English Market), ☏ +353 21 427 3375. Tu-Su 12:30-5PM. Inexpensive trad fare. (updated Feb 2023) O'Flynns Gourmet Sausage Co, 14 Winthrop St T12 A367 (corner of Plunkett St), ☏ +353 21 427 4422. M-Th 9:30AM-5PM, F Sa 9:30AM-7PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Hotdogs, sit in or take away. They also have a stall within English Market. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Amigo's, 7 Washington St T12 Y75F. M W-F noon-9PM, Sa noon-11:30PM, Su 1-8PM. Burritos and kebabs. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Tony's Bistro, 69 North Main St T12 H61W, ☏ +353 21 427 0848. Daily 8:30AM-5PM. Irish breakfast and similar trad fare. (updated Feb 2023)

Mid-range 4 Jacques Restaurant, 23 Oliver Plunkett St T12 A5D7, ☏ +353 21 427 7387, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 5-9:30PM. A long-established Irish restaurant. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Clancys, 15 Princes St T12 V6FH, ☏ +353 21 234 4455, [email protected]. M-Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 10AM-11PM. Trad Irish pub but nowadays primarily a restaurant. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Market Lane, 5 Oliver Plunkett St T12 T959, ☏ +353 21 427 4710, [email protected]. Daily noon-9:30PM. Bustling two-storey Irish restaurant and bar near English Market gets great reviews for its food and has a GF selection. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Liberty Grill, 32 Washington St T12 T880, ☏ +353 21 427 1049. F Sa 9:30AM–2:30PM & 5-8PM, Th Su 9:30AM–2:30PM. New England style bistro with good all-day brunch, licensed. (updated Feb 2023) 8 Café Gusto, The Boardwalk, Lapps Quay T12 WY42, ☏ +353 21 422 4099. M–F 7AM-3PM. Good for a quick bite and coffee. (updated Feb 2023) Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St. 9 East Village Hotel, East Village, Douglas T12 Y688 (next to Douglas shopping court), ☏ +353 21 436 7000. M–Th 6-9PM, F 5-10PM, Sa 1-10PM, Su 1-9PM. It's a mid-range hotel but most reviews rate it for food and drink. (updated Feb 2023) 10 Jacobs on the Mall, 30 South Mall T12 NY22, ☏ +353 21 425 1530, [email protected]. Tu–Sa 5-10PM. Modern gourmet cuisine, lots of veggie choice, the set menu is especially good value. (updated Feb 2023) 11 Luigi Malones, 1 Emmet Place T12 VF43 (next to Opera House), ☏ +353 21 427 8877. M-Th noon-8PM, F Sa noon-9PM Su 1-8PM.

Drink & nightlife

Useful to know: "langered" is the Cork term for being drunk. A "langer" is an idiot, asshole or drunk. An Bróg, 74 Oliver Plunkett St T12 FP28 (by English Market), ☏ +353 21 427 0074, [email protected]. M-F 4PM-2AM, Sa Su 2PM-2AM. Lively bar, popular with students. Bróg means shoe but one woozy regular is beginning to suspect they don't sell shoes. (updated Mar 2023) 1 An Spailpín Fánach, 29 South Main St T12 DYX9, ☏ +353 21 427 7949. M Tu 5-11:30PM, W-Su 7-11:30PM. It's Irish for "the migrant labourer" and has trad music most nights and a great atmosphere. (updated Mar 2023) The Oval, 25 South Main St T12 Y15D (by An Spailpín Fánach), ☏ +353 21 427 8952. Su-Th 4-11:30PM, F Sa 4PM-12:30AM. Great pub with trad decor and welcoming staff, quiet music that you don't have to yell over. (updated Mar 2023) The Pav, 13 Carey's Lane (corner with St Patrick's St), ☏ +353 21 229 6785. M-W 2-11:30PM, Th-Su 2PM-2:30AM. Pav is a two-level bar in a converted cinema. The downstairs Intermission Bar is cosy, the upstairs Pavilion is arty. (updated Mar 2023) 2 The Bierhaus, 28 Popes Quay T23 AE79 (at Shandon footbridge), ☏ +353 21 455 1648, [email protected]. M–Th 3-11:30PM, F 3PM-12:30AM, Sa 1PM–12:30AM, Su 1-11PM. Great selection of beers, new offerings monthly. (updated Mar 2023) Cask, 48 MacCurtain St T23 F104 (opposite Metropole Hotel), ☏ +353 21 450 0913, [email protected]. Su-Th 4-11:30PM, F Sa 2PM-12:30AM. Cocktails and tapas, pricey but good quality. (updated Mar 2023) 3 Chambers, 26 Washington St T12 KC52, ☏ +353 86 703 7018, [email protected]. Th-Sa 5PM-2AM, Su 2PM-2AM. LGBT bar and dance club. Gay Bingo? Hey, whatever. (updated Mar 2023) 4 Costigan's Pub, 11 Washington St T12 N768, ☏ +353 21 427 3350, [email protected]. M-Th 4-11:30PM, F 2PM-12:30AM, Sa Su 12:30-11:30PM. Lively pub, gets busy but there's enough room to watch TV sport or avoid it. Big selection of whiskey and other spirits. (updated Mar 2023) Edison (formerly Long Island Bar), 11 Washington St T12 YK63 (next to Amigos), ☏ +353 21 427 3252, [email protected]. W 6-11PM, Th-Su 5-11PM. Cocktail bar with an extensive menu and loads of variety. Try the whiskey toddy on a drear winter night. (updated Mar 2023) 5 Franciscan Well Bar & Brewery (Fran Well Bar), 14B North Mall T23 P264, ☏ +353 21 439 3434, [email protected]. M-F 4-11:30PM, Sa 1PM-midnight, Su 1-11PM. Pub with large beer garden on north river bank, serving pizza from Pompeii Pizzeria next door. Brews its own range of beers and has a fine section of foreign bottled beers. (updated Mar 2023)

Sleep

Summer accommodation Cork is a University City, so students have time-off during the summer. These beds offer great value, location and convenience to the summer visitor.

Summer Beds. Summer Beds or Summer Accommodation offers self-catered, centrally located and great value for money lodging in the city. Wi-Fi. Self-catered. TV. Washing facilities. (updated Jun 2024)

Budget 1 Bru Hostel, 57 MacCurtain St T23 CD00, ☏ +353 21 455 9667, [email protected]. Hostel with bar, open all year. Live music and a lively pub most nights, so not for light sleepers. Prices include breakfast, wi-fi internet, bike and luggage storage. Dorm bed €35. (updated Mar 2023) Kinlay House, Bob and Joan's Walk T23 CK10 (east side of Shandon Bells), ☏ +353 21 450 8966. Small hostel by Shandon, nowadays housing Ukrainian refugees. (updated Mar 2023) Sheila's Hostel, 4 Belgrave Place, Wellington Road T23 XF95 (facing Auburn House, below), ☏ +353 21 450 5562. Clean well-run hostel open all year with free wi-fi. Reception is 24 / 7. Dorm from €28, double room €80. (updated Mar 2023) Camping: the closest campsite is near Blarney 8 km northwest and open Apr-Oct.

Mid-range 2 Auburn House, Garfield Terrace, Wellington Rd T23 FD27, ☏ +353 21 450 8555, [email protected]. A smart welcoming B&B near the railway station. B&B double €110. (updated Mar 2023) 3 Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Tivoli T23 E244 (N8 two km east of city), ☏ +353 21 450 7533. Good mid-range place with leisure centre and large conferencing and banquet facilities, free parking. Assistance dogs only. B&B double €110. (updated Mar 2023) 4 Hotel Isaacs, 48 MacCurtain St T23 F6EK, ☏ +353 21 450 0011, [email protected]. Excellent stylish hotel, with quality beyond its price range. B&B double €110. (updated Mar 2023) 5 Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jury's Inn), Andersen's Quay T12 DCR9, ☏ +353 21 494 3000, [email protected]. Reliable central 3-star chain hotel, close to bus and railway stations. The 133 rooms have wifi and satellite TV. There is also a bar and restaurant. Charges for the small hotel car park. B&B double €130. (updated Mar 2023) 6 Maldron Hotel Shandon Cork City, John Redmond St T23 A9TF, ☏ +353 21 452 9200. Clean well-run chain hotel north of river. With leisure centre and pool. B&B double €190. (updated Mar 2023) 7 Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain St T23 PX44, ☏ +353 21 464 3700, [email protected]. Welcoming helpful central hotel. 112 modern rooms with free wi-fi. No hotel parking. B&B double €150. (updated Mar 2023) 8 Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Ditchley House, Little Island

Go next

Blarney 8 km northwest has the castle, gardens and of course the Blarney Stone — it's very touristy. Cobh, reached by local train, was the port for Cork in the age of the great ocean liners. It's an agreeable colourful place often visited by cruise ships. Crosshaven is a pleasant seaside town with clean beaches and clifftop walks. Kinsale is an attractive seaside town with water sports and the impressive Charles Fort. Further west beyond Clonakilty the coastline becomes rugged, with stony hills surrounding small towns such as Skibbereen and Bantry. Lismore in County Waterford has a fine castle, gardens and cathedral, and several mansions and gardens in the countryside around. Cahir in County Tipperary has a castle on a river island and the playful Swiss Cottage. Killarney in County Kerry has the Killarney lakes, castle and wildlife park.