Cork, Ireland's 'Real Capital'

In South West Ireland, the original nucleus of Cork grew around an abbey on an island in the River Lee in the seventh century. Cork is now one of Ireland's busiest ports. It's a charming seaport with quays and many stone bridges. People come from afar to hear St Anne's Church's Shandon Bells and then perhaps go to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. For shopping, St Patrick's Street and the Old English Market, opened in the eighteenth century, are the places to go to. The city's symbol is the red sandstone and white limestone Shandon tower in the north part of the city. Other landmarks include St Fin Barre's Cathedral, the University College Cork, with its nineteenth century Quad and Cork City Gaol museum.

Best time for a Cork city trip

Cork's weather is mild, yet very varied and often wet. Winters are also mild and temperatures are usually above freezing. Cork is one of Ireland's sunniest cities. For visiting at festival time, Cork Midsummer Festival is held from mid-June with one month of arts and events, many of which take place in the streets and venues such as Blackrock Castle Observatory and Elizabeth Fort. In October it's time for Cork Folk Festival with top Irish and many musicians from around the world. In the last week of October there's the Jazz Festival, Ireland's biggest jazz event. Then at the beginning of November the showcase of Irish films is the Film Festival.

Tips before visiting Cork

The city centre is on an island on the River Lee. Parking costs about 2EUR per hour during the day. Cork is generally cheaper than London. A basic meal out costs around 12EUR. Beer is around 3EUR. Traditional food specialities include artisan cheeses and a black pudding (Drisheen).

Cork local information

Take Bus Éireann's number 226A bus from the airport to Cork bus station. The fare is about 7.40EUR and the journey takes about 30 minutes. Taxis cost about 30EUR to 35EUR. A cheap hostel starts at about 12EUR in a shared room, while 3 star hotels cost around 90EUR. The city centre is small and can be explored on foot. A single bus fare is about 2EUR. A day travelcard costs around 5EUR. You buy tickets on the bus. Buses run to the suburbs. There are taxi ranks throughout the city. Taxis are metered with standard fares.

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Birmingham Cork Pay attention to transfer at connecting flight	Outbound 08/12/24 direct FR3738 01h 15min	Return 12/12/24 1 Stopover (AMS) EI0840, KL1045 06h 40min	Ryanair		£192
Birmingham Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1048, KL1131 05h 50min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1126, KL1051 15h 15min	KLM		£224 found 3 days ago
Best option Birmingham Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1050, KL1127 16h 00min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1128, KL1047 03h 35min	KLM	?	£218
Birmingham Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1048, KL1131 05h 50min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1126, KL1051 15h 15min	KLM		£224 found 3 days ago

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option Bristol Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct EI3843 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct EI3842 01h 20min	Aer Lingus Irish Airlines		£154
Bristol Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct EI3843 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct EI3842 01h 20min	Aer Lingus Irish Airlines		£169
Bristol Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct EI3843 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct EI3842 01h 20min	Aer Lingus Irish Airlines	?	£160
Bristol Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct EI3843 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct EI3842 01h 20min	Aer Lingus Irish Airlines		£169

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option Edinburgh Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 direct FR3732 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct RK3731 01h 20min	Ryanair		£47 found 3 days ago
Edinburgh Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct FR3732 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct RK3731 01h 20min	Ryanair		£165
Edinburgh Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 direct FR3732 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct RK3731 01h 20min	Ryanair	?	£51 found 3 days ago
Edinburgh Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct FR3732 01h 20min	Return 12/11/24 direct RK3731 01h 20min	Ryanair		£165

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Price
Glasgow Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL0938, KL1127 27h 10min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1126, KL0939 06h 40min	KLM	£248 found 3 days ago
Glasgow Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL0942, KL1127 21h 05min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1126, KL0941 10h 40min	KLM	£256 found 3 days ago
Glasgow Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL0938, KL1127 27h 10min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1126, KL0939 06h 40min	KLM	£249 found 3 days ago
Glasgow Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL0942, KL1127 21h 05min	Return 12/11/24 1 Stopover (AMS) KL1126, KL0941 10h 40min	KLM	£256 found 3 days ago

	Outbound	Return	Airlines	Baggage	Price
Best option London Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 direct FR0907 01h 25min	Return 12/11/24 direct FR0902 01h 25min	Ryanair		£40 found 3 days ago
London Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct FR7722 01h 25min	Return 12/11/24 direct FR7721 01h 25min	Ryanair		£52
London Cork	Outbound 26/10/24 direct FR0907 01h 25min	Return 12/11/24 direct FR0902 01h 25min	Ryanair	?	£45 found 3 days ago
London Cork	Outbound 04/11/24 direct FR7722 01h 25min	Return 12/11/24 direct FR7721 01h 25min	Ryanair		£52

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Cork, Ireland's 'Real Capital'

Best time for a Cork city trip

Tips before visiting Cork

Cork local information

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