County Cork Things to Do

 
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  •   Things to Do
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  •   St. Colman's Cathedral
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  • Cork Harbour
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Most Viewed Things to Do in County Cork

51.

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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52.

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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53.

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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54.

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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55.

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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56.

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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57.

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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58.

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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59.

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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60.

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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61.

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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62.

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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63.

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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64.

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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65.

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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66.

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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67.

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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68.

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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69.

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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70.

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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71.

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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72.

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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73.

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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74.

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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75.

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

Eyeries / Na hAoral on Beara Peninsula

by globetrott

The small village of Eyeries (in Gaelic it is called Na hAoral) is about 10km north of Castletown-Bearhaven. It was great to see all of these colorfull houses there, mainly pubs and guesthouses, Bed&breakfasts etc.In Eyeries I even saw a tourist-bus from the Netherlands last time and I really may not imagine, how it managed to get there on these small coastal-roads on Beara Peninsula.I once had to drive slowly behind a group of cows & a bull, who did not want to leave the road for several kilometers, because there were the stone-fences at each side of the road and my car was heavy and loud, filling almost the full width of the road. The situation escalated, when a motorcycle came the other way - see my pictures !

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Ilnacullin & Garinish Gardens in Glengarriff

by globetrott

Ilnacullin is a small island of 15 hectares (37 acres) in a distance of just a few hundred meters off the village of Glengarriff. Ilnacullin is the old name of the island and all of the island is an artificial garden, called Garinish (sometimes also Garnish) Gardens, well known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all over the world. Annan Bryce, a rich merchant from Belfast had this garden built for his private use in 1910 with several buildings around the island and the so-called Italian garden in the centre of it - it reminds a lot of gardens of places like Pompeji.The island is open for visitors between March 1st and October 31stthe rest of the year upon appointement !Regular ships-trafic according to the opening-times !When you are lucky you may watch the seals in the bay,when cruising to the island !Most probably you will need the whole day to explore the whole island...

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Blarney Castle & the Blarney Stone

by globetrott

Blarney Castle is a wellknown castle a few miles north of the town of CORK.You may step up to the very top of the castle and kiss the " Blarney Stone " .Simply lay on your back, bend back your head in a crazy way into a hole of the top-fence - held by a strong man - and kiss that stone, that will give you the " gift of eloquence "I admitt, I watched other tourists doing so, But refrained to do it myself.......Hmmm, maybe I should have done it, but now it is too late anyway ;-((Blarney-castle is open Monday to Saturday:May: 09.00 a.m. to 06.30 p.m. Jun-Aug: untill 7 p.m. Sept: 09.oo a.m. to 06.30 p.m. Oct-Apr: 9 a.m. to sundown (or 6 p.m.) and on Sundays:During Summer: 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. In Winter: 9.30 a.m. to sundown Last Admissions is 30 minutes before closing-time !!Admission is 7 Euros / 5 Euros for senor-citizens16 Euros for parents and 2 children !The Castle is open for the...

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Bending over backwards

by Marpessa

Now, this is a complete tourist thing to do. Go to Blarney, climb up the castle, where you will most definitely - in the summer season at least- wait in a long line. The good thing is, that they try to keep people moving as quickly as possible (I think it took me 20 minutes from the bottom of the castle to the stone). The inside of the castle is nice, but there are no furnished rooms as you make your way to the top, the castle is not a museum. You start off in the main hall a large room and will then go up around winding and narrow staircases.The stone is at the top of the castle, it is in the wall, just below the battlements. To kiss the stone you lay down on your back, hold on to railings and lean over the edge and kiss the stone! Don't worry, you won't fall, it is secure and there is someone there to help you. The views from the top of the castle are nice, so while waiting in line...

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Blarney Castle

by Bilimari

Many people visit the castle from all over the world to "kiss the Blarney stone", which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all those who kiss it. Current Blarney Castle is the third to have been erected on this site. The first building in the 10th century was a wooden structure. It was replaced by a stone structure around 1210 A.D. which had the entrance about twenty feet above the ground. That building was demolished for foundations. In 1446 the third castle was built by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster of which the keep still remains standing.After you pay the entrance fee, you will walk through a ground, which is quite nice with a grove of ancient yew trees, flowers, and streams. To kiss the Blarney Stone, you need to go up more than 100 steps to the top of the keep. The steps are narrow and very slippery. Once you reached to the top, you'll get in a...

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Day Spa at Inchdoney Hotel Thalasotherapy

by bobyn

Inchdoney Hotel (Lodge and Spa) is set on Inchdoney Beach in a wonderful location. Accomodation details at link: http://www.inchydoneyisland.com/ .The hotel boasts a luxorious spa resort, where you can book treatments in quantities to suit your budget, eg two treatments or four. You can spend your day based in the relaxtion room, with facilities including sea water pool, water jets, sauna, showering facilites, refreshments; and relax with each special spa treatment. There are many options available which are viewable on the link above. Food is reasonably priced in the lounge relative to my point of view on average dining costs in Cork. You will float home from Inchdoney Spa. A walk on the atlantic beach is a must also "to blow away those cobwebs!"

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Visit West Cork if you are in County Cork

by bobyn

If you are in County Cork, try to take the time to visit West Cork. It is quite a scenic area, with mountains, rugged coastline, and pretty villages. This is great as a car trip or a walking trip. Lots of places to get out to view scenery or go for walks. Must Sees: Glengarriff & Garnish Island, Glandore (nice little corner of the world), Bantry and the surrounding mountains, Allihes (very rural), Mizen Head (the most southerly point of Ireland, past Allihes), Kinsale (near Cork City by car/bus), Clonakilty - (theres a model railway village in Clonakilty) & Inchydoney Beach - there is a Thalassotherapy Centre at the hotel here, with luxurious Day Spa packages, very relaxing with sea water pool and facilites included. See tip on Inchydoney. Barleycove Beach with golden sand, Baltimore. I'll add photos of all of the above in time. West Cork has beautiful scenery.

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Charles Fort

by himalia11

Charles Fort was build in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier fortification. It's star-shaped and has five bastions that you can explore. It was build to defend the coast and the harbour. There have been lots of changes at this site during the last centuries and as it was still garrisoned until 1922, you'll see also some ugly barracks. On the other site of the water, there's James Fort, from which you can see only few parts as it never was really finished.From Kinsale it’s easy to walk there, either on the street (with good views on both forts but with no sidewalk and lots of cars) or the “Scilly Way” at the water (nice path for pedestrians only). No matter which way you take, you have to go a bit up and down, but it’s not much trying!Open 10:00-17:00/18:00 depending on season. Admission: 3,50 Euro (adults). Free if you have the Heritage Card that costs 20 Euro and includes...

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Kinsale

by himalia11

Kinsale is another picturesque town in south west of Ireland, in an estuary of the south coast. It has small, winding streets and a nice port where you can see lots of yachts. Kinsale and its harbour were once protected by Charles Fort, that you can see in a distance and which is absolutely worth a visit. Kinsale is also called the gourmet capital and once a year, there’s a gourmet festival. We had no problems to find something good to eat!Directly in the town is Desmond Castle, a tower house from 15th/16th century. It was turned into a prison in the 17th century and today houses a Museum of Wine. Although no wine is cultivated in Ireland, there’s a long history of trading wine. The museum as well as the castle is not big and I didn’t found it worth the admission of 2,75 Euro. But if you have the Heritage Card you have free admission and perhaps would like to make a short visit to this...

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Cobh

by himalia11

The village Cobh is situated on an island on the south coast of Ireland within Cork Harbour. It's a nice, the colourful houses look picturesque. On a hill overlooking the harbour you'll find St. Coleman's Cathedral, which has a carillon with 47 bells which sounds really good.Cobh was once called Queenstown (to mark the visit of Queen Victoria in 1849), and from here lots of emigrants started there voyage to other countries. If you are interested in the history of Cobh, you might want to visit the Queenstown Story museum. Also, Cobh was the last port of call of the Titanic, and there’s a guided walking tour called “Titanic Trail”.

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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.

Experience County Cork
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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