Blog (The five things you cannot miss in Cork)
Tuesday, 27, March 2018
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- The River Lee
The five things you cannot miss in Cork
The sights to add to your bucket list
There’s always something to do in Cork. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the city, duck into a café for a quiet coffee or browse an art gallery, there’s plenty on offer. We’ve rounded up the five things that you absolutely have to tick off your list when you’re next in the city…
The English Market
It’s a beloved favourite for a reason – this food market has been in the city since 1788, serving Corkonians up with a delightful array of local produce. It also has a legion of celebrity fans – Rick Stein is quoted as saying that “this is the best covered market in the UK and Ireland” and the late, great AA Gill wrote a glowing review of the Farmgate Café within. Stroll around the stalls and pick up a few little nibbles, chatting to the producers as you go, to make a little picnic to take to a local park.
Lewis Glucksman Gallery
Part of the University College Cork, The Gluckman is an institution within the city. Its artistic mission is to explore all aspects of visual culture and present a range of innovative and intellectually stimulating displays. The exhibitions and collections span a huge array of works, and a visit to the gallery is always a good idea.
Shandon Church
The famous bells of Shandon are located in Shandon Steeple, and the tower itself is one of the best-known landmarks in Cork City. You can take a great tour of the church, where you find out the story behind the ‘four faced liar’ clock, great views of the city and you even get a chance to ring the bells yourself.
Crawford Gallery
One of Cork’s most important buildings, the Crawford Gallery has a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions, displaying work from Ireland and all around the world. But one of the most exciting parts of the gallery is the café, which is now under the stewardship of graduates from the renowned Ballymaloe food academy, which is the training ground of Ireland’s top chefs and food business owners.
The Franciscan Well Brewery and Brew Pub
The last few years have seen a meteoric rise in craft beers in Ireland, with top brews coming out from all around the country. One of the first was the Franciscan Well Brewery, founded in 1898, which offers tours from its Cork base. You can learn all about how the beers are made and then enjoy a glass or two in the brew pub.
