Compared to the vivacious and energetic Dublin that sings and dances all night long, Cork feels like its hipster little brother. This is Ireland’s second largest city, it alluringly sits along River Lee.

After years of economic decline, Cork has been making a vigilant comeback through brewery tours, towering churches and boisterous pubs with live music. Here are some of the best things to do in Cork, so you can have fun with the Irish, in this colorful port city.

 

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Shandon Bells & Tower St Anne’s Church has become part of the tranquil skyline of the city and has been one of the most significant churches in Ireland since 1722. The church distinguishes itself with vibrant stained glass windows and beautifully vaulted ceilings. Climb up 132 steps where on the way, visitors can ring the bells. At the top of the tower, there’s Goldie – a three-meter gold fish weathervane – who symbolizes the Lord and River Lee’s abundance of salmon population.

Since 1788, English Market has been the heart of the city’s major indoor food market. For the best quality of produce, ingredients and prepared Irish dishes, there isn’t a better place that offers a wide selection that is both fresh and local. The English Market has been woven into the fabric of the city’s history and suffered through various hardships, including: wars, floods, and even the Great Famine. It’s become such an institution that even Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit here.

The Crawford Art Gallery is not only a multi-floor space dedicated to both classical and modern art, it’s also free to enter. The ground floor features Greek and Roman sculpture casts by Antonio Canova, in 1818, they arrived in Cork from the Vatican Museum in Rome. The other floors showcase 3,000 works, ranging from eighteenth-century Irish and European paintings and sculptures, including masterpieces by Jack B. Yeats and Nano Reid.

The magnificent Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral stands tall on the south bank of River Lee. In 1870, English architect and designer, William Burges, implemented various sculptures, mosaics and stained glass windows that are full of hidden meanings. The guides inside the cathedral are more than happy to show around and explain different meanings behind Burges’ ideas and artistic expressions. For example, notice the pelican mosaic on the floor that symbolize Christ. Since the 7th century to today, the cathedral is situated where Christians can worship.

For truly one of the best brewery tours in all of Ireland, stop by Franciscan Well Brewery, situated in a former Franciscan monastery. This micro-brewery was opened in 1998, produces five beers and specializes in ale, lager and stout. It’s even more special since it’s believed that the water from the monastery’s well has healing powers. The brewery tour starts with an explanation in the mini factory. Then, ends with several delightful tastings.

One of the most iconic frames of Cobh is a row of colorful houses on a hill, reminiscent of San Francisco. With Cobh Cathedral in the breathtaking background, this is “Deck of Card” Houses – often seen in postcards and photographs representing the vibrant colors of this city by the water. The houses are residential and line up along West View. A perfect view to capture these colorful architecture is from Cannon O’Leary Place.

Right next to the Shandon Tower is a quirky museum completely dedicated to butter! The Cork Butter Museum celebrates one of Ireland’s oldest dairy product that truly thrived during the 18th century. As a leader in producing tasty salted butter, Cork has been home to butter market which urged the city to export internationally before it closed in 1924. The museum is a throwback to the prime time of salted butter, too bad there isn’t a tasting afterwards.

Every city has a major shopping avenue, and that would be St Patrick’s Street in Cork. It stretches from Saint Patrick’s Bridge over River Lee to Daunt Square. Here, travelers can find some of Ireland’s largest brands, including: Marks & Spencer, Brown Thomas, Dunnes Stores…and many more.

Elizabeth Fort is a 17th-century fort which was originally built as a defense, but later it became a military barracks, prison, and police station. Now, it’s a heritage site, where visitors can see beautiful views of the city. The fort has seen many historical events as it was attacked by the people a two years after it was built, then it was also where the Siege of Cork in 1690 occurred. During the Great Famine, the site was used as a food depot.

The marvelous Blarney Castle & Gardens is a grandiose medieval structure, located 20 minutes by car, outside of Cork city center. The 10th century castle exude nostalgic romance as it’s surrounded by gardens, hollows, against a river flowing through the Irish countryside. Making it the perfect setting and inspiration for fairytales, as many would say. Constructed 600 years ago, Blarney boasts mazes of paths underground from the Middle Ages, including a dungeon where prisoners were kept. Climb up the stone staires and walk through banquet halls, rooms for the servants, and luxurious living quarters for the nobles. The top of the castle highlights an expansive view of the surroundings, where you can imagine the stories that must’ve been kept inside these walls for centuries.

If you head over to Cork Public Museum, make sure to stop by Fitzgerald Park, for a green escape from city center’s busy crowds. For travelers that need a morning jog, or walk along trails through the woods, this park is ideal. Also made for picnics during the day, this is a lovely setting as there’s also playgrounds for children that include slides and swings. For bird watchers, Fitzgerald Park is worth a few hours of serenity.

Akin to other gaols you’ll visit in Dublin or in Belfast, Cork City Gaol is similarly educational yet bleak. Now a museum, the former prison is a look inside the lives and violent conditions of inmatesstarting in 1806. The gaol went through several phases, at one point, it shifted to a prison solely for female prisoners, while other inmates were transferred to other locations like the Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. A visit to the Cork City Gaol is a deep dive into Ireland’s history, through its wars and fights for independence.