Shopping / Streets / Areas, Cork

I forgot all about the English Market until we came upon it wandering around and regrettably we had already had lunch. But I did stop and get a few chocolates from the Chocolate Shop which purchases their supply from different European chocolatiers.

The English Market has been in business since 1788 and claims to be the oldest market of it's kind. It's 140 stalls have vendors selling meat, poultry, seafood, cheese, wine, pasta, fruits, vegetables and there's even a whole stall devoted to olives.

It's open from Monday-Saturday from 8am-6pm although some vendors may arrive late or close early.

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What a colorful street...

Oliver Plunkett Street is one of the main merchant street in Cork designed with colorful lights. A must do by night to admire the slowy change of the light from blue to pink and many other colours!

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'Doing Pana', (not to be confused with 'doing time') is a time-honoured tradition in Cork. Pana is the irreverent name which Patrick Street, the citys principal street, goes by. Home to the big department stores, smaller speciality shops, cafes and restaurants, most Cork people will walk down this street on Saturdays for pleasure as well as business. The pictures I'm including show Patrick Street on the Saturday celebrating the accession of the new countries to the EU. While these are obviously showing a city packed with people celebrating, I think it would be fair to say that there is quite a buzz on Patrick street every Saturday afternoon.

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There are some excellent shopping to be had in Cork St Patrick’s ST and the Grand Parade all have the big main high st shops and trendy stores
what you don’t realise when walking around these streets that they are culverted and the river lee is running down the middle of the street the 18th cent buildings that the shops are now occupying show signs of how they were built by water (look for the buildings with the front door in the middle of the house and steps up to the door) the South mall as quite a lot of building this way

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There is so much to see, and we had so little time to see it in, we found the best way was to walk the town. One must have good walking shoes, and of course comfortable socks. My wife and I were enthralled by the cleanliness of the streets and the spontanious way in which people were willing to assist us to find various places of interest. But walking although the best way, can be tireing, so good shoes and of course plenty of water would be advisable. The Old English Market is a must, the smells and sights are wonderfull. The freshness of the produce exciting. The prices in our opinion were good.

A trip to Cork wouldn't be complete with out some shopping on Patrick Street in the city center. There is a nice variety of stores with clothing, cds, electronics, pubs, american food, chinese food, books, you name it. During the weekends and during other festivals there are plenty of acts going on, from knife juggles to musicians to jumpropers...I find it to be an exciting place to be.

Its proper name may be Princes Street Market, but it is generally better known as The English Market as - prior to the Independence - Irish people were not actually allowed to go shopping in it. This Market is now a food lover’s dream. Fresh food of every kind is sold under its roof: Meat, fish, olives, cheese, fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices and much more. The more experimental amongst you may even go for some tripe and drisheen, a local delicacy (of sorts) made of blood sausage and cow’s intestines. You can get one of the best sandwiches in town and on a sunny day walk over to Bishop Lucey Park for a picnic. Or you can enjoy the Market’s delicacies in the Farmgate Café or at some of the stalls that also offer limited seating. The Market also houses a variety of other non-food shops such as book stores.

Stroll around the indoor markets of Cork. Cork has a few very nice indoor markets.
The most popular seems to be the the Old English Market (see photo). On two levels fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and meat is offered.
On the second level is a nice cafe with a view down to the market business.

The English Market sells a variety of local and imported produce to tantalise the tastebuds.

It sells food and drink ranging from milk, bread, meat and fish all the way through to champagne, olives, and caviar.

Blarney woollen mills donr leave without going in. Lovely shopping experience, crystal, clothes, souveniers. Great.