Local Activities
Explore East Cork
Fota House is a fabulous historical country house located in East Cork, which was restored and conserved by the Irish Heritage Trust in order to offer the public a means of experiencing what life was like for both the Irish master and servant classes during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Discover Cobh’s unique origins, its history and its legacy at the Queenstown Story. The maritime, naval and military history of the area, as well as the fortification of the various forts around the area, are well documented, and give a fascinating insight into the lives of those who endured from the 1600s to the 1950s, especially those aboard the tragic Lusitania or the ill-fated Titanic. It’s one of the many stops along Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ route.
Cork City Gaol was originally opened in 1864 as a replacement for the Old Gaol at Northgate Bridge, and was designed by Thomas Deane. The Gaol was hailed as “the finest in three kingdoms”, and eventually became an all-female prison until the male anti-treaty supporters were incarcerated during the Irish Civil War of 1922-1923. It was closed in 1923, and allowed to become derelict, until it was re-opened as a visitor centre – allowing visitors the chance to get a fascinating insight into the day-to-day life of the inmates at the time.
Crawford Art Gallery is a National Cultural Institution and regional art museum for Munster, dedicated to the visual arts, both historic and contemporary. Through its temporary exhibitions, publications and education programmes, the Crawford Art Gallery is committed to fostering recognition, critical assessment, and acknowledgement of historical and contemporary Irish and international art practice. Located in the heart of Cork city, the gallery is a key tourist attraction and welcomes almost 200,000 visitors a year. Admission to the Gallery and to exhibitions is free. For more information visit: www.crawfordartgallery.ie
Jameson Irish Whiskey is world-renowned, and visitors to Cork can enjoy a trip to the Jameson Heritage Centre. This tour will bring the visitor through the various historic and architecturally unique distillery buildings, as well as superbly restored machinery and dramatic recreations of the many steps involved in the Irish whiskey distillation process.
Cork City serves as a great getaway for all your shopping needs. Streets such as Patrick Street, Princes Street and Oliver Plunkett Street blend modern fashion with old historical buildings of Cork. The backbone of Cork’s history can be found at The English Market is a fantastic sheltered market which has been operating since 1788, housing various traders offering fresh, locally-sourced produce in the middle of the city. Various stalls offer all you need for a local dish and to get your sugar fix.
Mahon Point Shopping Centre is located approximately 10 minutes by car from the city centre and combines a wide range of high end stores with restaurants and cafes to relax in. Other leisure facilities, such as the cinema Omniplex, are worth a visit when visiting Mahon Point.
Built in 1722, at the beginning of the rise of the world butter trade in the Shandon area of Cork City, the Shandon Bells of St. Anne’s Church have become a well-loved landmark for the local population. The Tower forms a striking attraction, with the red sandstone (north and east) and white ashlar limestone (west and south) walls thought to have given their colours to Cork’s sporting history.
Perched on the hillside, St. Coleman's Cathedral is a very popular regional attraction, with exquisite stained glass windows and carvings inside. The 49-bell Carillon within the Cathedral is the only such instrument in the country, and the largest in Ireland and Britain.
Why not try fishing from the first licensed saltwater fly-fishing boat in Ireland in the second largest natural harbour in the world? Your guide, Commander Richie Ryan Retd. , has built up a huge knowledge of bass fishing, over the last 30 years. With a purpose built boat he is insured to carry up to 3 anglers , ideal for small numbers therefore. Bass and pollock on the fly are the main target species.
