County Cork Things to Do

 
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  •   Things to Do
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Most Viewed Things to Do in County Cork

26.

Blarney Castle   Cork

Blarney Castle, Cork

 30 Reviews  We weren't actually going to visit this castle, as we are 'over' queueing and really didn't think we wanted to do the tourist thing. Sooooo glad we did. We were there at 9am when it opened and were... 

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27.

Charles' Fort   Kinsale

Charles' Fort, Kinsale

 9 Reviews  Even though it was raining I enjoyed my visit to the fort and the walk to it from the centre of Kinsale. It is run by the OPW and it is 3 Euro 70 to enter. The best thing about our visit was the free... 

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28.

St. Colman's Cathedral   Cobh

St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh

 11 Reviews  It would be impossible to go to Cobh and not notice St. Colman's Cathedral. The huge church overshadows the small town sitting high on a hilltop overlooking the harbor. We left the Heritage Center and... 

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29.

St Finbar's Cathedral   Cork

St Finbar's Cathedral, Cork

 18 Reviews  Summer Opening Times Monday-Saturday 9:30-17:30 Sunday 12:30 - 17:00 Winter Opening Times Monday-Saturday 10:00 - 12:45 14:00 - 17:00 (Closed Bank Holidays) Admission Adult €3.00 Under 18... 

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30.

Old Head of Kinsale   Kinsale

Old Head of Kinsale, Kinsale

 2 Reviews  This is one of my favourite places in County Cork, this windswept rocky promontory reaching out into the ocean. There is a lighthouse at the end of it but you can't get to it - the road ends with a... 

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31.

The Queenstown Story   Cobh

The Queenstown Story, Cobh

 6 Reviews  Cobh's Heritage Centre is next door to the railway station at the water's edge. There is a large open cafe/restaurant and a well done Museum about Cobh's emigrants. For 6 Euros you can see and hear... 

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32.

Shopping / Streets / Areas   Cork

Shopping / Streets / Areas, Cork

 14 Reviews  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... 

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33.

Kinsale Harbour   Kinsale

Kinsale Harbour, Kinsale

 6 Reviews  We went sailing with the guys in Sovereign Sailing down at the Trident Hotel Marina. I had never sailed before but they took 4 of us out on a new 34ft sailing yacht. It was Fantastic. They gave us all... 

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34.

The Titanic Memorial   Cobh

The Titanic Memorial, Cobh

 2 Reviews  Well, I arrived in Cobh wanting to see things about the Titanic. On April 11th 1912 the luxury liner weighed anchor for the last time at Cobh to pick up Irish emigrants heading for New York. Many of... 

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35.

St Ann's Church   Cork

St Ann's Church, Cork

 12 Reviews  The name Shandon comes from the Irish, Sean Dun, and means Old Fort. Shandon was one of 28 settlements in and around ancient Cork. Dont forget to take the earthings at the beginning when you climb the... 

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36.

The Scilly Walk   Kinsale

The Scilly Walk, Kinsale

 2 Reviews  This fairytale yellow cottage is about halfway between Summercove and Kinsale and everybody always stops to take photographs. In summer the hollyhocks grow almost to the roof. I often wonder about the... 

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37.

Heritage Centre   Cobh

Heritage Centre, Cobh

 4 Reviews  If your an American of Irish descent visiting Cobh, you are probably here to see where your family departed from Ireland. I am of Irish descent, but my family immigrated from the port in Dublin. My... 

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38.

Cork City Gaol   Cork

Cork City Gaol, Cork

 6 Reviews  I've never been there myself (I know I know - one of these days!!) but I've been told that this is worth checking out - especially if it's a 'soft day' (rainy in case you were wondering) in... 

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39.

James' Fort   Kinsale

James' Fort, Kinsale

 4 Reviews  James Fort was constructed between 1601 and 1603. It is a pentagonal shaped fort with a covered walkway leading to the fort. This fort was the harbours main defence until the construction of Charles... 

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40.

The Lusitania Memorial   Cobh

The Lusitania Memorial, Cobh

 4 Reviews  Maritime disasters play an important role in the history of Cobh. Two of the greatest disasters in history have a Cobh connection. Cobh was the last port for the Titantic before its disasterous maiden... 

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41.

Kinsale   Cork

Kinsale, Cork

 7 Reviews   A lovely day trip to the colorful harbour city of Kinsale is a must do. It is only a 40 minutes bus trip from Cork city (25km). Kinsale is a pleasure for gourmet but not only... a walk around the... 

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42.

St Multose Church   Kinsale

St Multose Church, Kinsale

 2 Reviews  Dating back to 1190, St Multose Church is the oldest building in Kinsale and has been in continuous use all this time. Its appearance has been considerably changed since then, some of the original... 

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43.

Fota Island   Cobh

Fota Island, Cobh

 1 Review  Fota Island is a 780 acre island that is just outside of the island that Cobh is on in Cork Harbour. There is a golf course and golf club where you can get a light lunch. They also have a great... 

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44.

Fitzgeralds Park   Cork

Fitzgeralds Park, Cork

 4 Reviews  About 20 minutes walk west of City centre is Fitzgeralds Park on the banks of the River Lee.This is a pleasent park to relax in and enjoy the beauty.There is also a good play section here for childern... 

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45.

Summercove   Kinsale

Summercove, Kinsale

 1 Review  Leaving Charles Fort via the drawbridge, pause to look at the three plaques in Irish, English and Spanish unveiled in 2001, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Battle of Kinsale. This spot... 

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46.

Hugenot Quarter   Cork

Hugenot Quarter, Cork

 6 Reviews  The Huguenot Quarter of Cork is the area around French Church Street and Carey's Lane. The Huguenots were French Protestants who fled from religious prosecution in the 17th and the second half of the... 

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47.

Town centre   Kinsale

Town centre, Kinsale

 2 Reviews  The centre of Kinsale is lovely - its winding narrow lanes are pure bliss for the eyes - I have never seen so many colourful houses anywhere, and all of them matching their neighbours. I wonder if... 

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48.

Cobh....   Cork

Cobh...., Cork

 6 Reviews  Cobh (formerly know as Queenstown) was the last port of call for the Titanic and is home to the 'Queenstown Story' featuring information both on the Titanic & the thousands of Irish people who... 

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49.

Harbour Tour by Boat   Kinsale

Harbour Tour by Boat, Kinsale

 3 Reviews  A great way to see the harbour, also the town and Charles Fort from a different angle. Nice traditional music, interesting commentry, coffee and bar service available. The trip lasts for 55 minutes... 

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50.

Blackrock Castle   Cork

Blackrock Castle, Cork

 3 Reviews  No mediaeval town could do without a fortified castle and Cork was no different. Cork's Blackrock Castle is located where the River Lee flows into Lough Mahon. Built for defensive purposes, to protect... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Bantry House

by Ruai

Bantry House is a stately house that also functions as a B&B (quite expensive but very atmospheric). You can visit it during the day and enjoy an audio guide tour around the open rooms. Its still owned and run by the same family and, while never one of the truly grand country house in Ireland, give a wonderful sense of what it must have been like to live in such a house in its heyday. To me it has a great sense of comfort and I particularly liked the twisty staircase that seems to snake its way to various different landings and the library. It has lovely gardens, nice walks, a very interesting exhibition on the attempted French landings at Bantry in the 1790's - when Lord Bantry organised the local militia! It also has a teahouse that serves really nice brown bread and soup.Bantry House also often hosts classical concerts, which are open to the public. See www.westcorkmusic.ie for...

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Nohoval Cove

by nani80

Spectacular Nohoval Cove is famous for The Turrets, a private estate where claybird shooting is available all year round. But it's much more than that – it offers a truly breathtaking experience – the Atlantic Ocean, rugged coast, ruins from 14th century... all at one place...

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Roberts Cove

by nani80

Roberts Cove is a small quiet village, just about 20-30km from Cork (don't know exactly). It is situated in one of the most scenic bays, with only one hotel and pub which overlooks the bay... Such a perfect place to go for a pint of Guinness... Take your drink outside, sit on the wall and enjoy the view!Cheers!

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Gougane Barra

by nani80

The name Gougane Barra comes from St Finbarr (the founder and 1st Bishop of Cork) who has built a monastery on an island in the lake in the 6th century. Today, there is a chapel from the 19th century, and some ruins which are not part of St.Finbar’s original monastery but were built in 17th century by a priest Dennis O’Mahony who retreated to the island to live in isolation. The cross which is in the centre of the ruins is said to stand where St. Finbarr’s cell was in the 6th century. In the latter part of 17th century, Gougane Barra became a place of pilgrimage for the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass. Today, the Gougane Barra Forest Park covers 1,5 square kilometers of mountains around the lake, with numerous bird species. The tranquility of Gougane Barra is impressive - I think it’s the most quite and peaceful place I’ve ever seen!

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Crookhaven

by nani80

Crookheaven is a small but extremely charming and peaceful fishing village on the Mizen Peninsula. 100 years ago it was very important harbor known as the last stop for ships to and from America. It's a perfect place to have a lunch after visiting Mizen Head or swimming at Barely Cove Beach! If you're lucky (as we were!) and the weather's nice, you'll be able to seat outside, on a quay and enjoy the sunset while having lunch... Beautiful scenery...

Blarney Castle - and kiss the stone!

by kirstylm

The well-known Blarney Castle: while some say it's over-rated, I really enjoyed it, and kissing the stone is an experience to behold!!The grounds around the castle are really stunning, with many little walks to do in the grounds and between the forests. And little fairy tale type of structures which add to the magical charm of the place: Witches' Kitchen, Wishing Steps. If you enjoy natural beauty, with dramatic castle ruins, then you'll love this! And of course you have to kiss the Blarney Stone - a piece of the building which when kissed, is said to give you the gift of the gab!! Believe me, the position is a bit awkward, but not as bad as it looks! Even my aging mother managed to do it! Everyone has the opportunity to kiss the stone (no charge, but they do take photo's of you and will charge you if you decide to buy the photo's), but you can also opt out of kissing this well-worn...

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Youghal

by globetrott

Youghal is a small town of 6ooo inhabitants and still today it is partly surrounded by walls. The clock-tower used to be a towngate, later a prison and today all the car-trafic is going through it.Youghal used to be a fortified garrison-town for english protestant troops. Take a walk through this lovely town and you will see plenty of interesting buildings and shops.The Bars " the undertaker " and the "ramble-inn" were my favorites !

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Crookhaven

by globetrott

Crookhaven ( An Cruachan in Gaelic) is one of the very few places in Irelands south-west-coast that has a really big sandy beach and so you will find big camping-sites and many summerhouses there.Mizen-peninsula is the perfect place for a quiet vacation, But you will need your own car or a bycycle.

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Beara Peninsula

by globetrott

Beara Peninsula is in my personal opinion a much more beautiful part of western ireland than e.g. the Ring of Kerry and it is also an area, where most of the tourists pass by without even trying to explore that beautiful landscape.Great and endless beaches, mostly without sand, but with a great mountain-scenery across the bay. The roads are mostly single-track-roads with passing-places and you will have to share them with sheep and cows.

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Bantry / Beanntraighe & the Bantry House

by globetrott

Bantry ( Beanntraighe in the old gealic language) is mainly well known for the lovely Bantry Bay and for Bantry House that dates back to 1771. It was built for Richard White, the 1st Earl of Bantry (1767-1851) who had an important role in Ireland's history. In 1840 two more wings were added and today it is a museum for precious gobelins, icons, french furniture and great works of Art.In the former stables of bantry House is the "1796 french Armada Museum" museum - the armada could not land there because of bad weather !You may enter the park and the terrace facing the Bantry-bay free of charge. Only when you intend to see the galleries and the museum, you have to pay an entrance-fee.Bantry House is open daily except sundaysbetween March and October 09.00a.m. - 06.00p.m.in July & August it is open untill 08.00p.m.The 1796 Armada Museum" is open dailyApril-September 10.00a.m. - 06.00p.m.

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Fun things to do in County Cork

Top 3 Hotels in County Cork

Fitzgerald's Vienna Woods Hotel  Cork

 1 Review and 172 Opinions

 Hotels in Cork

Blue Haven Hotel  Kinsale

 1 Review and 165 Opinions  Completely refurbished in 2004, each room is individually furnished with exquisite furniture, the... 

 Hotels in Kinsale

Ashlee Lodge  Blarney

 59 Opinions

 Hotels in Blarney

209 Hotels in County Cork
 
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Reviews and photos of County Cork attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Cork sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in County Cork
  1. Cork Things to Do
  2. Kinsale Things to Do
  3. Cobh Things to Do
  4. Blarney Things to Do
  5. Blarney Castle Things to Do
  6. Bantry Things to Do
  7. Clonakilty Things to Do
  8. Youghal Things to Do
  9. Skibbereen Things to Do
  10. Baltimore Things to Do
  11. Dursey Island Things to Do
  12. Macroom Things to Do
  13. Ballydehob Things to Do
  14. Skull Things to Do
  15. Midleton Things to Do
  16. Glengarriff Things to Do
  17. Allihies Things to Do
  18. Glounthaune Things to Do
  19. Bandon Things to Do
  20. Timoleague Things to Do

More Cities in County Cork

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  We will be in Ireland for 3.5 days the first of June with our 16 year old twin grandchildren, 1 boy and 1 girl. We will fly into... 

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A: There’s lots to do in the Cork area whether you decide to hire a car or not. A visit to Fota Island Wildlife Park should be a good day out for all ages ... 

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