The Spirit of Cork

A Cork City Break Made for Exploring

We love showing guests Cork from above. But sooner or later, you have to head down the hill and experience it for yourself.

The Spirit of Cork is for guests who want their city break to go a little further than the usual list of places to visit.

This is Cork through food, local makers, independent businesses, city streets and the waterfront.

We’ll give you a few starting points. The rest is yours to discover.

Start at The Montenotte

Wake above the city, have breakfast and decide how you want the day to unfold.

From The Montenotte, Cork is right there waiting.

The docklands.

The city centre.

The harbour.

Independent food.

Local distillers.

Street art.

And plenty of places worth taking a slight detour for.

This isn’t about racing around trying to tick Cork off a list.

Take your time.

Eat Your Way Around Marina Market

First stop, Marina Market.

One of Cork’s most lively food destinations, it’s home to a changing mix of independent food traders and plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.

Your experience includes a Marina Market voucher, leaving the difficult decision entirely up to you.

Coffee, lunch, something sweet or a little bit of everything? We’d probably choose the last option.

Meet Cork’s Independent Spirit

From there, discover another side of the city at Rebel City Distillery, home of Maharani Gin.

Your visit offers a glimpse behind the scenes of an independent Cork distillery and the people, ingredients and ideas behind what they make.

There is something particularly enjoyable about discovering a city through the people creating things in it. This is one of those places.

We’ll also point you towards some of Cork’s ARDÚ street art, adding another side of the city’s story to your time exploring.

Then Come Back Up the Hill

After a day spent out and about, make your way back to The Montenotte.

Have a swim, walk through the gardens or simply settle into your room and look back across the city you’ve spent the day discovering.

It’s a rather good view when you know what’s down there.

The Morning After

Breakfast is waiting the following morning.

You may have seen a little more of Cork than you would on an ordinary overnight stay but there is always somewhere else to discover. We’ll happily point you in the right direction.