County Cork People & Culture

a great city
you will never be bored
crazy drivers
wonderful people especially the boys of Fairhill

Every major chemical factory in Europe can be found here, it is also the port where the Brittany ferry comes in to Cork....yet with all the people that pass though here everyday there is not even a petrol station and there is barely a shop!!

Cork my capital a great place for going out eating and shopping with a number of quirky pubs an friendly people with some beautiful sites .If ur in cork check out fred zepplins if you like rock or the old oak is great for a brew an breog is good for a younger crowd an the crazy horse for good tunes ,the washington inn does a nice murphies or the placees across from the bus station . go to captain americas for some nice oriental or if you want some fish and chips then check out lennoxs you can get a cheap meal there definetly try the chicken breast sandwhich meal an the chips are good .If u are in to art plenty of nice churches around the place built in gothic style with beautiful interiors an stained glass windows ,check out blackwater printmakers and also sculpture factory there are plenty of galleries to see .Be careful at night and ignore any dodgy people especially those asking for a lite and travel in pairs or groups and best of all to stay away from the peace park.Be careful of the secluded areas around parks an stuff usually young troublemakers are hiding an having some booze around there even during the day .People are friendly and funny and you will meet some great charachters an people are very helpful.

Cobh is a beautiful island off the coast of the southern coast of Ireland. Just south of Cork, it is the home of the Irish navy. The buildings are brightly colored and the people are friendly. This ia a place to relax for an afternoon.

Nothing much to do there. One has to LOVE nature ! It's cold, rainy, etc. But I admitt there's quite a beautiful landscape and people are very nice there !!! I just prefer big cities =D

Cork was the European Cultural capital in 2005. Was there with a friend at that time, but didn't impress me at all. You go to Ireland for its nature, not for a city.

Couchsurf! It'll save you money, bring you closer to real Cork culture, and help you get the inside track from some of teh friendliest people on earth :)

www.couchsurfing.com

If you looking to get a taste of traditional Irish music, and the craic of course, head to An Spailpin Fanach. They have sessions almost every night are part of the annual Cork Folk Festival in September. They're located on 28 South Main Street in the city centre.

One of my favourites... A nice beach and even more interesting cute coves and bays where you can swim really nicely. The mines and the mountains are worth a walk aswell and the hostels are really nice. For those interested, there are a few nice sessions around there though for the better ones you have to travel a little...

shannon bells is a must especially on a relaxing sunday, you can go to the top of this very old church and ring the church bells and create songs with the music sheets provided. very nice! then down to the fransican well bar not too far away for one of their lovely beers that this fantastic microbrewery brews themselves.

Honestly, that part of Ireland doesn't offer many amenities. I loved touring the many little fishing villages around Lispatrick. I suggest driving a few miles to Kinsale and enjoy the Kinsale Harbour Tour. Kinsale Harbour Cruises offer a cruise on a boat with full bar licence plus historical commentary and music. Tours are of one hour duration. The evening tour, as the sun sets on the sea, is certainly the best.

Cork my capital a great place for going out eating and shopping with a number of quirky pubs an friendly people with some beautiful sites .If ur in cork check out fred zepplins if you like rock or the old oak is great for a brew an breog is good for a younger crowd an the crazy horse for good tunes ,the washington inn does a nice murphies or the placees across from the bus station . go to captain americas for some nice oriental or if you want some fish and chips then check out lennoxs you can get a cheap meal there definetly try the chicken breast sandwhich meal an the chips are good .If u are in to art plenty of nice churches around the place built in gothic style with beautiful interiors an stained glass windows ,check out blackwater printmakers and also sculpture factory there are plenty of galleries to see .Be careful at night and ignore any dodgy people especially those asking for a lite and travel in pairs or groups and best of all to stay away from the peace park.Be careful of the secluded areas around parks an stuff usually young troublemakers are hiding an having some booze around there even during the day .People are friendly and funny and you will meet some great charachters an people are very helpful.

Cork (in irish its name is  Corcaigh)  is a fascinating  place, though i didnt find it as picturesque as Dublin. Cork's name derives from the irish word corcach which means "marshy place." its situated on the river lee, which often finds its place in old ballads and irish poetry, particularly those of republican (read: rebellious, according to the english) sentiments. historically, cork was a major seat of rebellious dissent. in the war for independence the city center was gutted and set on fire. it was held by anti treaty (ira) forces and then besieged by the national army during the civil war, not to mention fierce guerilla warfare in the interim. its county (cork county) was nicknamed "the rebel county." As such, many corkonians (yes, corkonians) claim that cork is the real capital of the Republic of Ireland and there is a long time rivalry between cork and dublin much like NYC and LA, Houston and Dallas, umm, those are the only two other ones i know of. cork though, also sports the second largest harbor in the world (next to australia). the harbor with its docks and quays are well worth a visit.The red abbey survives from mediaval corkonian times and should be seen. St. Patrick street is definitely a must visit. its known for cobblestoned pedestrian pathways its winding-ness which is due to its originally being built on top of a river lee channel. its picturesque, quaint, friendly, choc full historic intrigue and youll often find musicians on various corners singing everything from green day (i was treated to boulavard of broken dreams) to rebel fight songs. but you really have to see cork prison. its gigantic and featured in several movies. it was home to political prisoners, freedom fighters and starving children stealing stale bread, all of which were crammed into cells together for standing room only. it was nearly razed following the war for independence but was saved for historical purposes. you can still see calendar scratch marks in the walls, as well as messages proclaiming innocence, dates and righteous hate toward the gaolers. i didnt do much partying in cork beyond the obligatory pubs along the way, but i understand it has as good a time as dublin at night, but then again, you have to take into account the rivalry, just for safe measure. enjoy cork!

Honestly, that part of Ireland doesn't offer many amenities. I loved touring the many little fishing villages around Lispatrick. I suggest driving a few miles to Kinsale and enjoy the Kinsale Harbour Tour. Kinsale Harbour Cruises offer a cruise on a boat with full bar licence plus historical commentary and music. Tours are of one hour duration. The evening tour, as the sun sets on the sea, is certainly the best.

For an unforgettable, luxury stay, choose Castle Hotel Leisure Centre. Don and Gerard, the owners, are nice and welcoming. The Castle offers an award winning restaurant, lively bar and beautifully decorated en suite rooms. The Castle’s new Health and Leisure Club features a 16 metre pool, steam room, solarium and jacuzzi. Horse riding, fishing (course and game) and free pitch and putt are all available locally, while golf enthusiasts can enjoy reduced green fees on Macroom’s excellent 18 hole park lands course. Just 5 miles off Macroom visit Gearagh. It is a unique and ancient oak forest, the only extensive alluvial forest in Ireland or Britain, and probably in Western Europe. The rich ecology makes it home to many rare species of flora and fauna and is a naturalist's dream... Truly fascinating...

Cork (in irish its name is Corcaigh) is a fascinating  place, though i didnt find it as picturesque as Dublin. Cork's name derives from the irish word corcach which means "marshy place." its situated on the river lee, which often finds its place in old ballads and irish poetry, particularly those of republican (read: rebellious, according to the english) sentiments. historically, cork was a major seat of rebellious dissent. in the war for independence the city center was gutted and set on fire. it was held by anti treaty (ira) forces and then besieged by the national army during the civil war, not to mention fierce guerilla warfare in the interim. its county (cork county) was nicknamed "the rebel county." As such, many corkonians (yes, corkonians) claim that cork is the real capital of the Republic of Ireland and there is a long time rivalry between cork and dublin much like NYC and LA, Houston and Dallas, umm, those are the only two other ones i know of. cork though, also sports the second largest harbor in the world (next to australia). the harbor with its docks and quays are well worth a visit.The red abbey survives from mediaval corkonian times and should be seen. St. Patrick street is definitely a must visit. its known for cobblestoned pedestrian pathways its winding-ness which is due to its originally being built on top of a river lee channel. its picturesque, quaint, friendly, choc full historic intrigue and youll often find musicians on various corners singing everything from green day (i was treated to boulavard of broken dreams) to rebel fight songs. but you really have to see cork prison. its gigantic and featured in several movies. it was home to political prisoners, freedom fighters and starving children stealing stale bread, all of which were crammed into cells together for standing room only. it was nearly razed following the war for independence but was saved for historical purposes. you can still see calendar scratch marks in the walls, as well as messages proclaiming innocence, dates and righteous hate toward the gaolers. i didnt do much partying in cork beyond the obligatory pubs along the way, but i understand it has as good a time as dublin at night, but then again, you have to take into account the rivalry, just for safe measure. enjoy cork!

Personally, I loved Cork. Besides anything else, I'd have to say that it just has a really cool vibe to it. Kicking back in a little Irish pub (what other type of pub are you going to find in Ireland right) and having a good hardy glass of Guinness is heavenly. If no one has ever told ya; the Guinness in Ireland is better than anywhere else in the world (and that's no lie).

On the other hand, there is one place that really stands out in my memory of Cork. Blarney Castle is an unreal sight. The sheer sight of it is silencing and the rock close is serenely incredible. Of course, you'll want to make the climb to the top of the castle just to see the fantastic view; while you're there take advantage of the chance to kiss the one and only Blarney Stone. The gift of gab never hurt!

Again, I just got lucky on my visit to the Castle. I actually ran into the grounds keeper. He actually took the time to tell me about growing up around the castle and some of the history about the castle itself. He was probably in his 60's and possibly 70's when I met him back in 1999, so I'm not sure if he's still around, but your day would definitely be enriched if you got a chance to spend a little time with him and his wife.

Aw Shanbally, there's nothing here really. Let's see there's a roundabout in the middle, a shop(not a very good one), a pub (the Shamrock, never been in there so can't comment), a church (my Grandfathers funeral was here), a school (where my mom went when she was little) and thats about it! There is a grotto down one of the side roads, and a little shed that used be a dance hall back in the day! It's just really somewhere ppl have to pass though when they want to get to Ring.

Most central town in Co.Cork! Traffic's bad but has a nice town centre. The Gearagh, just outside the town, is an important nature reserve in Europe.

Great town. Well worth the visit. Take day trips to Kinsale, Blarney or Clonakilty. Great base for a lot of other great places

again another way to escape Ireland!