Destinations > Ireland > Munster > County Cork

County Cork

Located in southwest Ireland, County Cork is home to the country's second-largest city plus a scenic coastal area that includes much of the Beara Peninsula.

Youghal (Eochaill)

Youghal (pronounced yarl) is a pleasant seaside town between Waterford and Cork. Medieval town walls still stand at the western edge of the town centre.

Coming & Going

Some Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) buses stop in Youghal en route between Waterford and Cork.

Accommodation

Evergreen House

The Strand, Youghal

Tel (024) 92877

Cork (Corcaigh)

The Republic of Ireland's second-largest city has only 160,000 people and is the main commercial centre of southwestern Ireland. Although the city centre has a few attractive buildings Cork generally isn't considered a nice place in comparison with other Irish towns.

Most people use Cork as a base for visiting the Blarney Castle, 8km north of the city centre.

Practical Information

Cork Tourist Information Office

Áras Fáilte, Grand Parade, Cork

Tel (021) 425 5100

Website www.corkkerry.ie

Open Jan-May Mon-Sat 9.15am-5.30pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 9.15am-5.30pm

LAUNDRY

Western Road Laundrette

Opposite College Gate, Western Road, Cork

Tel (021) 427 9937

Open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-6pm

Coming & Going

AIR

Cork Airport (website www.cork-airport.com) has flights to destinations throughout Ireland, Great Britain and Europe. It is 8km from the city centre and is served by a frequent bus service into the city centre (€3.40 one-way).

BUS

Cork's bus terminal is at the corner of Merchant's Quay and Parnell Place with Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) running buses to most major towns and cities.

TRAIN

There are direct trains between Cork and Dublin, which depart from the station east of the city centre on Lower Glanmire Road.

Accommodation

Arran House Tourist Hostel

4 Woburn, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork

Tel (021) 455 1566

Bru Bar & Hostel

57 MacCurtain Street, Cork

Tel (021) 455 9667

Campus House

3 Woodland View, Western Road, Cork

Tel (021) 434 3531

Cork International Youth Hostel

1 Redclyffe, Western Road, Cork

Tel (021) 454 3289

Kellys Hostel

25 Summerhill South, Cork

Tel (021) 431 5612

Kinlay House Cork

Bob and Joan Walk, Shandon, Cork

Tel (021) 450 8966

Sheila's Hostel

4 Belgrave Place, Wellington Road, Cork

Tel (021) 450 5562

Sights

Blarney Castle

The Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's biggest attractions. Built as a fortress in 1446, it is one of the country's oldest castles and one of Munster's strongest fortresses. Its main drawcard is the Stone of Eloquence, or the Blarney Stone. Legend says that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the gift of eloquence.

Blarney, 8km northwest of Cork

Tel (021) 438 5252

Website www.blarneycastle.ie

Admission €7

Open Jan-Apr Mon-Sat 9am-sunset, Sun 9.30am-sunset; May Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm; Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-sunset, Sun 9.30am-sunset

Cork Butter Museum

This museum focusses on the butter industry and its impact on Cork's economy.

The Tony O'Reilly Centre, O'Connell Square, Shandon, Cork

Tel (021) 430 0600

Website www.corkbutter.museum

Admission €3 (€2.50 students)

Open Mar-Oct 10am-5pm daily

Cork City Gaol

One of Cork's major attractions is this former prison that is now a museum illustrating the crime and punishment in the 19th and early 20th century.

Convent Avenue, Sundays Well, Cork

Tel (021) 430 5022

Website www.corkcitygaol.com

Admission €6 (€5 students)

Open Jan-Feb 10am-5pm daily; Mar-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-5pm daily

St Fin Barre's Cathedral

This cathedral is one of Ireland's most beautiful, featuring over 1260 sculptures, marble mosaics and stained glass windows. It was built in the late 19th century on the site where St Fin Barre established a school in the 7th century.

Dean Street, Cork

Tel (021) 496 3387

Website www.cathedral.cork.anglican.org

Admission €3 (€1.50 students)

Open Jan-Mar 10am-12.45pm & 2pm-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-5.30pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-12.45pm & 2pm-5pm daily

Cobh (An Cobh)

Cobh (pronounced cove) is built on an island in Cork Harbour. It started off as a seaside resort in the 17th century but later became a major port with 2½-million­ emigrants sailing from here. Cobh was also the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic.

Practical Information

Cobh Tourist Information Office

Royal Cork Yacht Club

Tel (021) 481 3301

Website www.cobhharbourchamber.ie

Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-5.30pm

Coming & Going

The easiest way to get here is by train with frequent services running between Cork and Cobh.

Sights

Cobh – the Queenstown Story

This exhibition in Cobh's restored train station traces the steps of 2½ million Irish emigrants who sailed from Cobh. It includes exhibits on the sinking of the Titanic (Cobh was her last port of call) and the Lusitania, as well as the story of Annie Moore who sailed from Cobh and was the first ever immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island in New York.

Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh

Tel (021) 481 3591

Website www.cobhheritage.com

Admission €5 (€4 students)

Open Jan-May 9.30am-4pm daily; May-Nov 9.30am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 9.30am-4pm daily

Kinsale (Cionn tSáile)

This elegant town is one of County Cork's most attractive. It is situated on a harbour, which is guarded by two fortresses.

Practical Information

Kinsale Tourist Information Centre

Pier Road, Kinsale

Tel (021) 477 2234

Website www.corkkerry.ie

Open Mar-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Jul-Aug 9am-6pm daily; Sep-Nov Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Accommodation

Dempsey's Hostel

Eastern Road, Kinsale

Tel (021) 477 2124

Guardwell Lodge

Guardwell Street, Kinsale

Tel (021) 477 4686

Sights

Charles Fort

The large star-shaped fortress was built between 1678 and 1682 and was a British naval base until 1922. It offers impressive views of Kinsale Harbour.

Summer Cove, Kinsale

Tel (021) 477 2263

Website www.heritageireland.ie

Admission €3.50 (€1.25 students)

Open Jan-mid Mar 10am-5pm daily; mid Mar-Oct 10am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-5pm daily

Desmond Castle & Wine Museum

Originally built as a customhouse around 500 years ago, Desmond Castle has been used as an ordnance store, prison and workhouse and it now houses the International Museum of Wine. The museum's displays show how Kinsale was an important port for the wine trade.

Cork Street, Kinsale

Tel (021) 477 4855

Website www.desmondcastle.ie

Admission €2.75 (€1.25 students)

Open mid Apr-Oct 10am-6pm daily

Dunmanway (Dún Mánmhai)

This 17th century town is built around two triangular town squares and is surrounded by mountains. The main reason that most travellers visit is to stay at the tranquil Shiplake Mountain Hostel, 5km outside town.

Accommodation

Shiplake Mountain Hostel

Shiplake, 5km from Dunmanway

Tel (023) 45750

Clonakilty (Cloch na Coillte)

This attractive town is best known as the home of Irish hero Michael Collins, who is commemorated at the Michael Collins Centre.

Practical Information

Clonakilty Tourist Information Centre

Ashe Street, Clonakilty

Tel (023) 332 226

Website www.corkkerry.ie

Open Mar-May Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm; Sep-Nov Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm

Accommodation

Old Brewery Hostel

Emmet Square, Clonakilty

Tel (023) 33525

Sights

Michael Collins Centre & Arigideen Heritage Park

The Centre has exhibits relating to Michael Collins and it features a short video presentation about the life of the military leader and Irish hero.

Castleview, Clonakilty

Tel (023) 46107

Website www.reachireland.com

Admission €5 (€3 students)

Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-6pm

Skibbereen (Sciobairín)

Skibbereen was one of Ireland's worst affected towns hit by the Irish Famine of the 1840s. The Skibbereen Heritage Centre is a moving tribute to the thousands who lost their lives.

Practical Information

Skibbereen Tourist Information Centre

Town Hall, North Street, Skibbereen

Tel (028) 21766

Website www.corkkerry.ie

Open Jan-May Mon-Fri 9.15am-5.30pm; Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Jul-Aug 9am-7pm daily; Sep-Dec Mon-Fri 9.15am-5.30pm

Accommodation

Russagh Mill Hostel

R596, Russagh, Skibbereen

Tel (028) 22451

Sights

Skibbereen Heritage Centre

The Heritage Centre houses two exhibitions including the moving Great Famine Exhibition, which commemorates this tragic period of Irish history that changed the country forever.

Old Gasworks Building, Upper Bridge Street, Skibbereen

Tel (028) 40900

Website www.skibbheritage.com

Admission €4.50 (€3.50 students)

Open 10 Apr-24 May Tue-Sat 10am-6pm; 27 May-20 Sep 10am-6pm daily; 23 Sep-31 Oct Tue-Sat 10am-6pm

Baltimore

Baltimore has a yacht harbour and ferries sail from here to Cape Clear Island.

Coming & Going

Between June and August West Cork Coastal Cruises (website www.westcorkcoastalcruises.com) run daytrips from Baltimore to Cape Clear Island, departing Baltimore at 11.30am and arriving back at 5.30pm allowing two hours on the island. You can often see whales and dolphins from the boat.

Accommodation

Rolf's Holidays

Baltimore Hill, Baltimore

Tel (028) 20289

Cape Clear Island (Oileán Chléire)

Irish-speaking Cape Clear Island is located off the southwest coast and the island is a popular retreat for many backpackers intent on discovering the ‘real Ireland'.

Coming & Going

Between June and September Karycraft Ferries (tel (028) 28278) sail daily between Schull and Cape Clear Island.

Between June and August West Cork Coastal Cruises (website www.westcorkcoastalcruises.com) run daytrips from Baltimore to Cape Clear Island, departing Baltimore at 11.30am and arriving back at 5.30pm allowing two hours on the island. You can often see whales and dolphins from the boat.

Accommodation

Cape Clear Island Youth Hostel

Old Coast Guard Station, South Harbour, Cape Clear Island

Tel (028) 41968

Schull

During summer this seaside town is a popular base for visiting Cape Clear Island.

Coming & Going

Between June and September Karycraft Ferries (tel (028) 28278) sail daily between Schull and Cape Clear Island.

Accommodation

Schull Backpackers Lodge

Culla Road, Schull

Tel (028) 28681

Bantry (Beanntrai)

The French invaded this important coastal town twice – in 1689 and 1796. The town's main attraction is Bantry House, but this isn't a big draw for most backpackers.

Accommodation

Bantry Harbour View Independent Hostel

Harbour View, Bantry

Tel (027) 51140

Bantry Independent Hostel

Reenrour East, Bantry

Tel (027) 51050

Sights

Bantry House & Gardens

This large manor house was built around 1740 and houses a collection of fine tapestries, furniture and objets d'art. There is also an exhibition on the French Armada.

Tel (027) 50047

Website www.bantryhouse.ie

Admission house, gardens & French Armada exhibition €10 (€8 students); gardens & French Armada exhibition only €4

Open Mar-Oct 9am-6pm daily

Beara Peninsula

This rugged peninsula is a good alternative to the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula while providing similar rugged coastal scenery. Like the Ring of Kerry the Beara Peninsula has a good choice of budget accommodation, however very few tourists come here so it is a much more authentic experience.

Accommodation

ADRIGOLE

This locality refers to the rural area about halfway between Glengarriff and Castletownbere.

Hungry Hill Lodge

R572, Adrigole (check in at the pub next door)

Tel (027) 60228

ALLIHIES (NA HAILICNI)

Allihies is a pretty spot near the western end of the Beara Peninsula that offers lovely ocean views.

Allihies Village Hostel

Allihies, Beara, Peninsula, Co Cork

Tel (027) 73107

CASTLETOWNBERE

Castletownbere is the peninsula's major settlement and one of the country's largest fishing ports.

Garranes Hostel

8km from Castletownbere

Tel (027) 73032

Ocean View Lodge

Castletownbere

Tel (027) 71693

GLENGARRIFF

This tiny village lies at the southeastern corner of the Beara Peninsula, where the N71 meets the R572.

Garinish View Lodge Hostel

Hollyhill, Glengarriff, Co Cork

Tel (027) 63927

Murphy's Village Hostel

N71, Glengarriff

Tel (027) 63555