Hook Lighthouse

Cork English Food Market

The English Market has been serving the population of Cork City since 1788.

During its life it has survived revolution, war, depression, famine and the boom period. But it has always remained as the hub of the city for its inhabitants to meet and gather.

In recent years the market has even been visited by royalty. Queen Elizabeth 11 of England and just recently her son Prince Charles, Prince of Wales.

So, when in Cork, the market is a must visit, even just to look around.

Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral is a Gothic three spiral cathedral in the city of Cork.

It belongs to the Church of Ireland and was completed in on ground that has been a place of worship since the seventh century. Christian use of the site dates back to a seventh-century monastery and was, according to tradition, founded by Finbarr of Cork.

During the medieval period, the site underwent successive wars, waves of church building and damage.

Around 1536, during the Protestant Reformation the cathedral became part of the established church later known as the Church of Ireland.

Blackrock Castle

Blackrock Castle is a castellated fortification located on the banks of the River Lee.

Originally developed as a coastal defence fortification in the 16th century to protect upper Cork Harbour and port, the site now houses an observatory and visitor centre.

In the late 16th century, the citizens of Cork appealed to Queen Elizabeth I to construct a fort at Blackrock to fight back pirates and other invaders.

Around 1582 a fortification was built on the site and later around 1600, a round tower was constructed to safeguard against pirates carrying away vessels entering the harbour.

The earliest elements of this structure remaining today are a circular tower on the water’s edge.

Mitchelstown Cave

Mitchelstown Cave was discovered by Michael Condon in 1833.

He came by it while he was out quarrying limestone. He dropped his crowbar into a crevasse and while he moved some rocks to pick it up he looked down into what was a large underground passageway.

Now people from far and near travel to Mitchelstown to see this world famous cave.

Walking in Michael’s footsteps you will come across massive caverns which are covered in fascinating dripstone formations. you will also come across one of Europe’s finest columns called the Tower of Babel.

Concerts are performed underground as the acoustics are incredible.

Spike Island

Spike Island is an island of 103 acres in Cork Harbour. Originally the site of a monastic settlement, the island is dominated by an 18th-century star fort named Fort Mitchel.

The island’s strategic location within the harbour meant it was used at times for defence and as a prison.

Cork Harbour’s defences faced two threats. Firstly, an attack by war-ships forcing an entry in to the harbour – either in a raid to destroy shipping or to affect a landing of troops.

Secondly, they faced the threat of attack from the land by forces which had been landed at an undefended point along the coast.

Spike Island is now a tourist attraction which attracts thousands, in August 2016 it alone attracted over 10,000 visitors. On show there are prison cells, gun emplacements, and key points of interest.

Cork City Gaol

Visit this old castle like gaol and imagine what it was like for the inmates to live here during their incarceration for such petty crimes.

The gaol was built in 1824 and took 8 years to finish as the years passed by different wings were added to accommodate extra prisoners.

The warders themselves actually lived inside the prison with their families in rooms just a little bigger than the cells the prisoners were housed in.

When the gaol opened it was home to both male and female but of course in different wings.

In 1927 the gaol became a radio station for what is now the nation’s chief broadcaster.

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone, everyone wants to kiss the legendary stone. When lying on your back and head back don’t look down, it’s a long way down but don’t worry you’re in safe hands.

The castle that visitors see today is the 3rd castle to be built on the site.

The first castle was built around the 10th century and was a wooden fort. In 1210 the second castle was built this time of stone and then the present castle was built in 1446.

Blarney means persuasive elegance, being able to flatter or charm someone. It comes from the Irish word Bhlarna which means little field, but we all like the first meaning.

Zip Lining

Who wants to play Tarzan? Zip Lining will give you that chance.

Deep in the Cork countryside you will find zip lining for all levels.

A place where children can be children and adults can be children too. You can climb high into the treetops if you have the nerve, swing into the cargo nets and then zip line. For those scared of heights there are the lower levels where you will feel a little safer.

This is a unique experience for everyone to enjoy, no matter what age you are.

Fota Wildlife Park

Opened in July 1983 by the President of Ireland, has the primary aim of conservation of global wildlife. It is a joint project of the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College, Cork.

Fota Wildlife Park has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open surroundings. Animals include ostriches, giraffes, kangaroos, zebras and antelope.

Most of the animals who inhabit the island are allowed to roam throughout with the exception of the cheetahs and other predators, which have fenced enclosures. Ring-tailed lemurs, wallabies and other animals freely roam the park.

Many of the animals at Fota are under threat of extinction. Fota Wildlife Park is involved in breeding programs for these endangered species, as well as being a breeding source for other zoos around the world.

An Asian sanctuary opened between in 2015 and includes enclosures for tigers and other animals. In 2015 the park was the ninth most popular paid attraction in Ireland, with 436,000 visitors that year.

Cobh Titanic Experience

Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic before it set sail for America.

Here you will read about and learn about the last passengers to board the ocean liner.

Upon entry you will be given a boarding ticket with a name of one of those passengers. At the end of the tour you will find out what happened to that person.

It’s a very enjoyable guided tour, not on the same par as the one you probably have seen in Belfast but still worth visiting.