Cork in 3 days
The second city of the Republic of Ireland and its food capital, rebel Cork has the English Market, Blarney Castle and its stone of eloquence, and the colourful harbour town of Cobh, the Titanic's last port of call. It makes a good base for the whole south.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
The English Marketfree · about 1 hA covered food market trading since 1788, with butchers, fishmongers, bakers and cheesemongers under one roof in the city centre.
- Afternoon
St Fin Barre's Cathedralabout 45 minA Gothic Revival cathedral by William Burges, built in the 1860s and 1870s where Cork's founding saint is said to have built his church.
- Late afternoon
Shandonabout 1 hThe hillside quarter north of the river, below the tower of St Anne's Church, where you can climb up and ring the Shandon bells.
Day 2
- Morning
Blarney Castlehalf a dayA 15th-century tower house outside Cork where visitors lean backwards over the battlements to kiss the Blarney Stone, said to grant eloquence.
Day 3
- Morning
Cobh, the Titanic's last portfree · half a dayThe harbour town, then called Queenstown, where the Titanic made its final stop in April 1912, with colourful terraces below its cathedral.
Where to sleep in Cork
- Maldron Hotel Shandon Cork City · €105 a night
- Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork · €125 a night
- Lancaster Lodge · €115 a night
- The Metropole Hotel · €150 a night
- Cork International Hotel · €120 a night
- Vienna Woods Hotel · €140 a night
- Hayfield Manor · €320 a night
- The River Lee · €220 a night
- The Montenotte Hotel · €200 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.