Explore the best of Cork City
Only a 10 minute journey from Cork International Hotel, we have put together a list of our favourite things to see & do in Cork City
From history and culture, to iconic landmarks and cityscapes, fall in love with Cork City with some our must-see sights & attractions. Located a short drive away from Cork International Hotel, here are our top picks in Cork City.
1. Crawford Art Gallery
A national cultural institution located in the heart of Cork City centre, Crawford Art Gallery is home to the visual arts both contemporary and classic. The gallery is home to over 3,000 works, ranging from 18th century paintings & sculptures, to contemporary installations. The Crawford art gallery makes for the perfect place to visit during a trip to Cork.
Just a 15 minute drive from the Cork International Hotel, Crawford Art Gallery offers visitors an oasis of calm & tranquillity in the heart of Cork City. Perfect for a break in between a shopping trip.
Crawford Art Gallery also boasts an award-winning café, serving fresh, local Cork produce daily.
The Crawford Art Gallery opens Monday- Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sundays 11:00am – 4:00 pm and admission is free.
2. The English Market
With roots originating back to 1688, the English market is filled with the best of Cork’s produce and food stalls whilst boasting a lively atmosphere and is a must see for those visiting Cork.
The English Market’s combination of traders and stalls shows the variety and flavour of Cork’s food scene. It is the perfect place to stroll around for an afternoon! The wide range of food on show are truly delicious! The Market is a foodie’s dream, with everything from meats and seafood to cheese and olives, sweets and cakes.
The English Market is only 12 minutes away from Cork International Hotel and is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am – 6:00om.
3. Harley’s StrEAT
The newest foodie spot in Cork, Harley’s StrEAT has burst on to the food scene filled with vibrancy & flavour. . Serving tacos, coffee, sweet treats and more, Harley’s StrEAT has brought new life to the Leeside. Bursting with delicious flavours and using locally sourced produce and seasonal foods, Harley’s StrEAT is brings together food vendors to enjoy along the colourful backdrop of Harley St. featuring designs by Irish graffiti artists Shane O’Driscoll/Ardu Street Art and Kevin O’Brien/Mad About Cork.
Harley’s StrEAT is opened Wednesday – Sunday 10:00am – 8:00pm and is located a 10 minute drive away from Cork International Hotel.
4. Marina Market
Launching in 2020, The Marina Market is an excellent spot for a afternoon stroll with a bite to eat. The Marina Market has already established itself as staple in Cork City as it breathes new life into one of the city’s oldest industrial areas. Located on the banks of the River Lee and only a short distance from the city centre, visitors will find an all-weather purpose market with vendors showcasing cuisines from all over the world to hand-made local crafts.
Opened 7 days a week, visitors and locals alike enjoy the all the delicious food on offer as well as some tasty treats and gorgeous coffee. We recommend visiting in the afternoon, making sure all stalls are open & ready for the day. Here our some of our highlights from the market:
If you are visiting, we recommend grabbing a speciality coffee from Guji Coffee Bar, grabbing mouth-watering raclette cheese from Lekker and fresh, authentic pizza from Burnt.
5. Ardú Street Art Trail
Bringing burst of colour, vibrancy & life back into the city during the midst of lockdown, follow the Ardú Street Project around Cork and discover the city.
Arriving into Cork in October 2020, Ardu Contemporary Street Art Project brought a burst of colour, vibrancy & life back into the city during the midst of lockdown. Uniting the Cork community through art, lifting its creative and community spirit at a time when it needed it most.
Seven of Ireland’s most respected and renowned street artists were invited to create works inspired by a theme of the 1920 Burning of Cork as part of the Ardu Street Art Project. Find work by Deirdre Breen at Wandesford Quay, Maser at The Kino, James Earley at Henry Street, Peter Martin at Kyle Street, Shane O’Driscoll at Harley Street, Aches at Anglesea Street, and Garreth Joyce at Liberty Street. All pieces are colourful celebrations of the city’s history.
The Ardú Street Art Trail is self-guided and is an excellent way of exploring the entire city.
6. Shandon Bells & Patrick’s Hill
If you’d like a nice walk around one of the most histpric parts of Cork City, ead to Audley Place, at the top of St. Patrick’s Hill for one of the best views of the city. Grab a coffee on the way from Cork Coffee Roasters and watch the city go by. You’ll recognise this spot from The Young Offenders.
Head across to Shandon, an area of the city laced with history. Visit St. Anne’s Church where visitors can ring the Shandon Bells. This it will be as unforgettable moment of your trip as it is breath-taking—and we say that literally! To get to the top, visitors must climb 132 steep stairs, but the panoramic views of the city from the top make the climb worthwhile. A 2 minute walk from here you can see the childhood home of the first person processes in Ellis Island, Annie Moore & a plaque dedicated to her.
At the moment, The Shandon Bells can’t be rung at the moment but, You can climb 132 steps of the Tower to see fantastic views of the city!
7. Nano Nagle Place
Discover a one-of-a-kind heritage museum Nano Nagle Place, a tranquil haven in the heart of Cork City. Learn about Nano Nagle’s life and how she influenced education in Ireland and around the world. Make time for the heritage tour, a stroll through the lovely gardens, a visit to the bookshop on site, and a stop at the delicious Good Day Deli. Nano Nagle Place is located on Douglas Street, a 5-minute walk away from Patrick Street.
The museum depicts life in 18th century Cork, and the tireless work & efforts made by Nano Nagle Nano founded the Presentation Order, which continues her education and social inclusion work today, until her death in 1784. She opened 7 schools for poor children throughout Cork city, founded an almshouse for poor women, and most notably, founded the Presentation Order, which continues her education and social inclusion work today.
Due to the interactive nature of a number of the museum, a number of extra precautions have been brought in, with gloves available, sanitiser stations dotted about the site, and a regular cleaning routine in operation.
Nano Nagle Place is open Tuesday- Sunday 10.00am-17.00pm. It is free to visit Nano Nagle’s tomb, and the gardens – self-guided tours of the museum can be booked in advance. The Heritage Experience can also be booked online with Adult Admissions costing €7.50pp and Child Admissions costing €4.50.
Want a weekend to explore Cork City? We have some great staycation packages for you to see out the last of the summer at Cork International Hotel