If visiting Cork, you’re more than likely fly into Cork Airport. Just 8km from the city, consider hiring a car at Cork Airport and explore this beautiful corner of Ireland.
Things to See and Do in Cork
Plan an itinerary that includes the gems of Cork City Centre. Try the Cork City Gaol, Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Blarney Castle, or Fitzgeralds Park.
There is more to Blarney Castle than the famous Blarney Stone. Amble through Rock Close and the variety of gardens on show here. The castle itself is rather enchanting but will you dare explore the dungeons underneath?
Head to the seaside town of Cobh which is approximately 22km away from Cork. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the town and visit Cobh Cathedral. Tourist attractions are focused on the maritime and emigration legacy of the town. They include the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre, Titanic Experience and Titanic Trail walking tour, Cobh Museum, Cobh Road Train, Spike Island tours and St Colman's Cathedral.
Journey to Spike Island; a small piece of land just off the southern tip of Ireland in Cork Harbour. Surprisingly, it is home to a plethora of history and you can learn a lot about Ireland’s past. It has borne witness to great religious communities, raids by the fearsome Vikings, and even the Normans could not ignore Spike.
Discover South West Ireland
Nature sets the pace in this beautiful south west corner of Ireland – stretching from smart south-coast Kinsale to three rugged westerly peninsulas reaching into the wild Atlantic: Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head and Beara. Drive to Mizen Head using a rental car. It is one of the extreme points of Ireland and is a major tourist attraction, noted for its dramatic cliff scenery.
Overlooking the Kenmare River estuary, lying to the northwest of Glenbeg Lough, is Ardgroom, a village on the Beara peninsula. Its name refers to two gravelly hills deposited by a glacier, Dromárd and Drombeg. You will appreciate the picturesque countryside at Sheep’s Head and Gougane Barra if you enjoy long walks and cycling.
