Cookie
Registered User
Posts: 1
(12/19/03 11:51 am)

What to do in Cork?

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I'm planning a trip to Ireland in May which includes 3 or 4 days in Cork. Is this too long or too short to spend here? What are the "must sees" in Cork?

Anita
Unregistered User
(12/19/03 1:04 pm)

Cork

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I didn't spend any time in Cork other than to pass through on the bus on the way to somewhere else. A lot of the guidebooks didn't list Cork as one of the better places to spend a lot of time. I'm sure Michele will have more to say, though. What I do know is that from Cork there is a bus every hour for Kinsale. A very pretty little town. You can walk up to James fort or, even better, Charles fort and do the walking tour of one of Europe's best preserved star forts. From Cork you should also be able to get a bus out to Blarney. If you have a car, both of these places will be very easy to get to.

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 66
(12/19/03 4:08 pm)

Cork

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If you have car - there are many places to take a day trip to see-- First - Cork city has a lovely art museum and an English market and the thing to do there is to climb the hill to ring the Bells of Shandon. The same day you could do Blarney Castle- it's very close to Cork

Another day you can drive down and spend some time in Kinsale (a quaint little town with bright colored buildings and it is the cuisine capital of Ireland)
Also, Cobh is close and you can see the Titanic museum (that's where all the records are kept of people who emmigrated)

If you start off early enough - you could drive around at least one or two of the five fingers and see some breathtaking views-- my advice would be to drive to Killarney or Kenmare and spend a day or two there - lots of day trips from there if you like scenery---

Listen to me, like I'm an expert - lol
but i will tell you the map makes things seem much farther - it's a hop, skip and jump to a lot of places---i'm so green (no pun intended)

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1993
(12/21/03 12:10 am)

Cork

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Hi Cookie,

I have a few questions for you first that will help me help you.

1. Are you talking about 3-4 days in Cork City or County Cork?

2. How long do you have in Ireland?

3. What are your interests? For instance if you hate museums, I might recommend other things for you to see in the area.

Get back to me and I will be happy to help.

Michele

Cookieirelandyestravelforumfrm1
Unregistered User
(12/22/03 10:00 am)
 
Cork

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I guess I should be more specific. I will be backpacking for about a week and a half. The loose plans are to land in Cork, spend a few days there, travel to Galway to spend a few days then travel to Dublin and stay several days there. I would like my itinerary to stay fairly flexible. I am equally interested in the museums/historical sites and the pub nightlife/live bands. I will be staying in hostels but I would like to spend one night in a castle somewhere. Thanks for your help.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1995
(12/23/03 12:18 am)
 
Re: Cork

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Hi Cookie,

Yes, the more specific you are the better we can help you. Frankly, if I were you I would skip Cork City entirely. You already have time scheduled in two of Ireland's most dynamic cities, so why not see some of Ireland's best rural scenery also? Head for Killarney. From there you can get many tours including Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe, etc. Killarney is surrounded by beautiful scenery, Ireland's highest mountains, Killarney National Park, Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farm, Ross Castle and so much more. It far outweighs Cork City as a destination.

Why not look at a few of the following links to help make your decision:

www.killarneyonline.ie/
www.killarney.ie/
www.kerry-insight.com/
www.kerrygems.ie/places/k...index.html

Michele

Anita
Unregistered User
(12/23/03 1:42 pm)

Cork

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Michele is right, go to Killarney. I also did the backpacking thing and that's the reason I skipped Cork, Cork is not rated as one of the better places for backpackers. Killarney is great! You didn't mention whether or not you are renting a car, if not you should take a look at the train and bus schedules and plan your itinerary around that. That is what I did and it worked great, but you would be surprised how many times I had to change my plans because the train or bus schedule didn't work. Also, are you staying in hostels? I could let you know what places to stay away from.