Best Things To Do in Cork

Cork is an Irish city that is out of the traditional patterns. For years it was the perfect hideout for secret lodges and mansions of the old monarchies. But over time it became the capital of Irish gastronomy for its variety of sweet and savory dishes.

In addition, as in other Irish cities, the boom of distilleries predominates. So during your visit you have to try good whiskey and good Irish gin. And if you're staying a couple of days you could take advantage of the excursions to nearby villages, cliffs and castles. Ready to get to know Cork? Here's everything you should know.

If you want to experience a quirky side of Cork you could start with the dazzling Tuckey Street Grand Lodge. Today you can see collections that evidence the existence of Freemasonry in Cork. In fact, it is considered the second oldest Masonic building in the world.

You'll pass through the Masonic Hall, where there are 300-year-old furniture and art collections. You'll even see some aprons, which are the mandatory robes that the masters needed to enter the halls and that under no circumstances could they wear outside the lodge.

Each room has a mysterious aura that leads you through the clues that this secret society surely left in sight. They served their purpose because much of their history remains a mystery, although many claim that the meeting rooms were occupied by people from different professions and social classes, where they discussed the future of the world and performed rituals.

Other typical places in Cork

To visit the lodge and learn more about its history, it is a good idea to book a guided tour of Cork. In this way, you can also meander through the streets and see other tourist attractions such as:

• Main Street, you can't leave Cork without taking a look at its quaint stores and without walking down St. Patrick's Street, where the annual Christmas parade passes through.
• Opera Lane is another important thoroughfare, where the fashion stores and international chains are located.
• Crawford Art Gallery is a space of Irish art, where you can appreciate permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The flavors of Irish gastronomy are a complete sensory spectacle. Walking through the streets of Cork you will be tempted by the fresh smells that permeate the atmosphere. A classic is the English Market, which takes you through the local products and specialties of the city. It's covered and colorful stalls offer artisanal cheeses, Irish breads and steaming O'Flynns sausages.

Cork is considered the foodie capital of Ireland and there are plenty of places to connect with the culture through your taste buds. In Cork's Coal Quay district, culinary heritage awaits you and you have a date with street food that stands out for being very cheap. For example, you can order an assorted box of seafood from 20 €, with enough types of fish for the whole family. Meanwhile, sausages are available for 5 € and crêpes from 4 €.

To enjoy several tastings in different places, I suggest you book a gastronomic tour of Cork. This way, you will only have to dedicate yourself to eating and having a good time. Besides the typical sausages there are other dishes that you should take advantage of, here are my favorites.

Typical dishes in Cork

• Irish Stew: the typical Irish beef stew that can not miss in important events.
• Irish breakfast: the Irish love to have breakfast and, above all, a big one. This dish is served until noon and can include bacon, sausages, fried eggs and vegetables in different presentations.
• Cottage Pie: it is another must of the local gastronomy and consists of a meat pie au gratin with mashed potatoes.

Typical desserts in Cork

• Whiskey Chocolate Cake: a moist dessert that melts in your mouth.
• Rhubarb Crumble: your teeth will rattle as you chew the fresh rhubarb-based crumble.
• Scones: crunchy cakes served with butter and jam, ideal for a tea snack.

Typical drinks in Cork

• Guinness: it is the Irish stout beer characterized by its black color and dry taste.
• Irish whiskey: a drink that is drunk in Cork at all times, as it has a mild flavor.
• Black tea: it is believed that Ireland is the second most tea-consuming country in the world, surpassing even the United Kingdom. Irish tea has a soothing aroma, has milk and is the best companion for a gossip.
• Cork Dry Gin: Irish gin is macerated and prepared with a mixture of juniper, lemon and secret spices.

Cork is a city that looks like something out of a period movie, and its historic mansions are an important part of its heritage. Fota House Arboretum & Gardens is a 19th century estate that belonged to the aristocratic Smith-Barry family. It was also used as a center for hunting and fishing activities, but nowadays it is a museum where you can peep into the life of the royal families that passed through Ireland.

It can be said that it is divided into three sections, which facilitates the tour. Below I tell you what you can see:

• Fota House, is the mansion itself and is a sample of Ireland's regency style architecture. You will see art collections, elegant rooms and what life was like for the family as well as the servants.
• Arboretum, be prepared to see all sorts of rather strange shrubs and trees.
• Victorian Gardens, you could spend hours walking among its paths with native plants, ponds and even a greenhouse.

Buying tickets for Fota House Arboretum & Gardens online allows you to save time at the box office and enjoy all the areas for as long as you wish, as well as take advantage of informative commentary from a guide.

Ireland was one of the pioneer countries of spirits in Europe and the tradition has been maintained over time. In Cork you have a mandatory stop at its most popular distilleries, where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Irish gin and whiskey.

The most famous are the Jameson Distillery and the Rebel City Distillery, I will tell you briefly why.

Jameson Distillery

Hiring a guided tour of the Jameson distillery in Cork is the best way to become an Irish whiskey expert. You can learn the process through a prestigious brand that came to Ireland in 1780 and whose whiskeys can be easily distinguished by their delicate flavor.

When you book a tour, a guide will take you through the factory facilities in Cork, where you will see how the grains are ground and all the stages until it reaches the perfect flavor. In other parts of the world, the ideal Whiskey should be aged for a maximum of two years, however, Irish Whiskey must be macerated for a minimum of three years.

After touring their facilities, you will have a well-deserved reward and will be able to taste different types of Jameson Irish Whiskey. The idea is to let it enter first through the nose, and then give way to the nuances of soft and smoky notes.

Rebel City Distillery

Booking a guided tour of Rebel City Distillery in Cork takes you on a journey through Ireland's exceptional spirits. Their specialty is Irish gin and they handle an artisanal process that you can witness during the tour. Specifically, in this distillery they use traditional methods and fuse them with other innovative techniques.

In addition to the legendary Irish gin, they are dedicated to preparing an innovative gin based on ingredients from India and spirits such as absinthe, which has a high alcohol content and a traditional herbal flavor.

If you are passing through the city or want to take advantage and see the main tourist attractions in a short time, you could board the Cork sightseeing bus. It is an open-top double-decker bus that allows you to take advantage of the system of free stops to explore every corner at your own pace.

When booking tickets for the Cork sightseeing bus, once activated, you will have a maximum of 24 hours to use your pass. Activation is automatic when you board the bus for the first time.

To help you organize your itinerary, the frequency between buses is approximately 30 minutes. In addition, the complete tour can take an hour and a half and on board you can enjoy an informative audio guide.

Main bus stops

• English Market.
• Grand Parade.
• St. Patrick's Street.
• Wellington Bridge.

Relive the stories of the old prisoners of the 19th century and delve into the mysteries of Cork Jail. Its construction was intended to displace another jail in the city, which was in a precarious condition. At first it was a mixed jail that served local crimes, but eventually became a women's prison.

It was later demolished and transformed into a popular radio station in Cork. The grounds were reclaimed and it is now a museum with interactive exhibits. In its corridors you can witness some restored cells and wax figures recreating historical scenes.

When you buy tickets to Cork Prison you can enjoy a guided tour and participate in recreational activities. For example, you could become a prisoner for a few minutes and experience life behind bars with special effects that add to the realism.

Finbar Cathedral is a former monastery that fuses culture, history and spirituality. Its Victorian Gothic style is impressive and especially worth a look at the stained glass windows of biblical scenes.

Did you know that this is the place where the Apocalypse will be announced? Or at least that is what some locals say. Legend has it that the angel appointed to sound the final trumpet is petrified here and will come to life to fulfill his mission.

During the patronal feasts of St. Finbarr, the church is filled with joy and you can enjoy different choral mass ceremonies, which are usually reserved for Sundays at 11:15 am.

Get ready to experience a journey through 400 years of history at Fort Elizabeth. It is a historical landmark that protected Cork during the wars and, as a result, was destroyed. However, it has always been a sacred place for the locals and soon after it was rebuilt.

The external and internal facade try to emulate the original and you could say they succeed because its walls are impressive. It also offers panoramic views of the city, the River Lee and the Irish Sea. The best part is that admission is free, although I suggest you go with a guide to better understand its history.

Butter is a very special ingredient in Cork's cuisine, which is why the city has been a center of production since the 18th century. In addition, many Irish learn to prepare it from an early age and during the war it was one of the few foods they could access without restrictions.

The love of the Irish for butter is such that a must-see is the Cork Butter Museum. Here you can see every stage of production, learn about its history and take advantage of tastings of different types of Irish butter.

What sets Irish butter apart is its creamy flavor that melts in your mouth. And the best thing is that in the museum store you can buy authentic artisan butter and take it home, although remember that each country and airline has its restrictions.

Cork is a city with fairly traditional facades, but with an innate rebelliousness and exciting surprises. From here, it is easy to access other tourist destinations in Ireland that are a dream for those who appreciate its culture and history. For example, you could make your way to the Ring of Kerry or explore castles and cliffs that will leave you speechless. I'll tell you more!

Ring of Kerry Tour

If you are planning a trip to Cork soon, you could take the opportunity to book a trip to the Ring of Kerry. It is a famous nature trail that takes you through beaches, lakes, mountains and landscapes out of a postcard. Typical of this type of tour is a stop at the traditional village of Sneem Village, famous for its farms and hills where sheep meander.

Excursion to the Cliffs of Moher

Another typical getaway is to book a trip to the Cliffs of Moher. Ireland's cold breeze is more pleasant here, where you will have the Irish Sea at your feet. Not only will you feel the adrenaline rush of standing on the edge of this natural viewpoint, you will also pass through the karst plain of the Burren.

You will also have the opportunity to see the nearby villages, as well as Limerick Castle, St. John's Cathedral and the medieval castle of Bunratty.

Excursion to Kinsale

If I had a couple of days to spare, I would definitely go for a few hours to Kinsale. This Irish village is a beauty fifty minutes from Cork, famous for its colorful houses stacked on its cliffs. Here, the joy of the locals who accompany the routine with Celtic street music awaits you. In addition, the food scene is also among the most popular in Ireland.