Cork Before You Die
CORK BEFORE YOU DIE
VOLUME ONE
As Corkonians, we are very passionate about our city. We know we offer a selection of exciting and unique things to do and attractions for our visitors to enjoy. Yet, life is like a bungee jump-you have yet to know what it feels like or experience the thrill, but you know it is going to be exhilarating. We love to brag about how amazing our city the “real capital” is. Here we have taken the time to give you our list of “Cork Before You Die”
There is so much to do once you scratch the surface of the city. To help you, we’ve put together a bucket list of 13 (not unlucky for you!) attractions, tips & tricks aimed at those who want to get to know the city and county enjoy some of what Cork has to offer.
Also Read Top 20 Things to do in Cork
1. Catch a film
Enjoy a different movie each night in Cork's only hotel with an in-house hotel cinema. Relax at the end of a busy day with a drink in our state of the art, 50-seater cinema 'The Cameo'. During your stay with us enjoy a complimentary movie, which are themed each month. Another unconventional cinema, Triskel Christchurch. Because the screen is in a church, they are limited to showing two films a day. But how often do you get to sit in a pew and watch a movie in restored 18th century church?
2. Visit the Crawford Art Gallery
Located in the city of Cork, Crawford Art Gallery is open seven days a week and free to enter, Crawford Art Gallery, is home to a collection of national importance and is a must see for locals and tourists alike. The Crawford Art Gallery offers a range of free, family-friendly activities every Sunday, including guided gallery tours, musical performances, kids' art workshops and storytelling sessions. Having earned the status of a “National Cultural Institution” back in 2006, it has steadily become a key establishment for the research and study of art in Cork. Crawford Art Gallery is a perfect rainy day place to go when in the city.
3. Kiss the Blarney Stone
A first-time trip to Cork wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this famous Irish stone. For over 200 years the tradition of kissing this stone has been woven into the fabric of Irish folklore. Originally pilgrims would be lowered by their ankles to kiss the stone! However times have changed, visitors merely lower themselves backwards whilst holding onto an iron rail. Once you have kissed the legendary Stone of Eloquence, take a wander through acres of sprawling parklands which include gardens, avenues, arboretums and waterways.
4. Cork Opera House
A trip to this city wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the world-class Cork Opera House. Cork Opera House has had a glorious history of both culture and architecture dating back to its inception in 1852. Showcasing an impressive program of international sensations in the world of opera and theatre, this is the perfect place to spend a night on the town, when in town.
5.Experience a place of Punishment, once called “Ireland’s Hell”
Spike Island is an island of 103 acres in Cork Harbour, Ireland. Originally the site of a monastic settlement, it has been host to a 24 acre Fortress, the largest convict depot in the world during the Victorian era. Today the island is dominated by an 18th-century star fort named Fort Mitchel, the star-shaped fortress which became a prison holding for over 2300 prisoners. The island's strategic location within the harbour meant it was used at times for defence and as a prison. Take the scenic 15 miniute ferry from Cobh and enjoy fully guided tours of the island and fortress.
6. A concert with a “pew”
Enjoy a concert with Live at St.Luke’s, a truly spectacular environment. This venue is a former church, where the acoustics are outstanding and guests are seated on original church pews. For a little more comfort we advise perhaps bringing a cushion! During your stay with us in the award-winning Montenotte Hotel, take the short walk to St.Luke’s cross which is located a brief 450m from the property. Making the unique Montenotte Hotel the perfect choice for a pre-concert dinner while taking in the spectacular views of Cork city and beyond.
7. Take a stroll
After a busy day, whether at meetings in the city or shopping in Cork’s many malls, we invite you to wander through our Sunken Victorian Garden and enjoy the aromatic scents of lavender, myrtle and rosemary while the soothing sound of our fountain relaxes both mind and body. Or enjoy a visit to Fitzgerald’s Park, built for Cork’s International Exhibition, this beautiful park features sculptures, a Cork Museum, the Riverview Café, a waterlily covered pond, and a bridge famously known as the ‘shaky bridge’ which goes over the River Lee.
8. Enhale the scents from around the world in The English Market
Forget the Queen, it was the Young Offenders that made the English Market famous! Serving the Cork city since 1788, spoil yourself with a delightful array of local produce. It also has a legion of celebrity fans – with chef Rick Stein quoted as saying that “this is the best covered market in the UK and Ireland” . The market is still best known for its fresh fish and butchers, and it serves many of the city's top restaurants. So be sure to stroll around the stalls and sample some of the local artisan food, chatting to the producers as you go.
9. Go West
The West Cork Farm Tours are five local family farms where the owners are only too delighted to welcome you, show you what their farm is about and explain the intricacies of farming whether it be Dairy, Beef or Pork. Each farm is more than a commodity, it’s a way of life where no two days are the same! All the farms are located in/near Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and Skibbereen, Co. Cork which is approximately a one hour drive from The Montenotte Hotel.
10. Take in a Show
Soak up the history of the beautiful Everyman Palace. This listed building is a jewel of late Victorian architecture, which celebrated its 120th birthday in 2017. The building is steeped in history and the auditorium is a favourite with audiences and performers alike for its intimacy and atmosphere. Or visit the only purpose built opera house in the country which also has one of the largest stages in Ireland, Cork Opera House.
11. Have you visited an Urban Oasis?
Nano Nagle Place is an unexpected oasis in the centre of bustling Cork city. The heritage experience engagingly describes life in 18th century Cork before going on to tell the story of how Nano Nagle worked tirelessly to help and educate the poor and needy of the city. The visitor can then interactively explore how the congregation she founded, the Presentation Sisters, travelled across the globe to continue her work. This attraction celebrates Nano Nagle of the Presentation Sisters’s vision of empowerment through education, community inclusion and spiritual engagement for a contemporary world. The complex houses a heritage experience, gardens, a café, shop and the beautifully regenerated convent buildings are home to several educational charities.
13. Listen to the Sound of Music
The boy choristers in the 17th century were called pueri symphonie. The present choir consists of boy choristers, girl choristers, choral scholars and lay vicars choral. The boys attend choir practices are Wednesday 5.30p.m. – 7.00p.m. and Friday 4.30p.m. – 5.30p.m, don’t forget to leave a donation! Situated near the heart of Cork, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral is the most recent ecclesiastical site located where the saint is believed to have founded his monastic school in the 7th century. . The building contains more than 1,260 sculptures, a particularly ornate pulpit and even a 24-lb cannonball, a legacy of the Siege of Cork in 1690.
14. Visit the Hobbits
Glenview gardens is a beautiful 3 acre garden with amazing designs and fun for all the family in West Cork. Full of surprises, each garden style flowing into the next, including: Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, woodland and bog gardens. Wander over the birch mound, which is surrounded by the wildflower meadow, into the walled kitchen garden to view the seasonal vegetables. The kids will have great fun visiting the Hobbit House built right through the birch mound or searching for the fairy houses in the Fairies woods.
Whether you’re in Cork for the weekend or longer, there’s so much to do once you scratch the surface of the beautiful. Cork is a culturally vibrant city located in the Southwest of Ireland with lots of things to do and places to see. Only a couple of hours drive from the Dublin capital and various access points, Cork makes for a great additional stop on an Irish trip or weekend away. Also did you know that Cork was voted the world’s third friendliest city in 2018 and Europe’s culturally vibrant city in 2017? With some of Europe’s and the world’s leading tourist attraction, Cork most certainly is a city to experience before you die. We will keep adding….you keep visiting! #StayUnique
Please do share the airticle with your friends. Since you are interested to travel to Cork we are sure you will like to read our article on Top 20 Things to do in Cork
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