Things to Do in Cork

Cork's city centre sits on an island formed by two channels of the River Lee, which is most of the reason it works so well on foot — you're never far from water, and you're never far from the next sight either. Here's what's worth building a visit around.

The English Market

A covered food market in the heart of the city, trading continuously since 1788, which makes it one of the oldest municipal markets still operating anywhere. It was set up by the city's "English" corporation of the time — hence the name — and today it's less a tourist attraction than a working market that happens to be beautiful, with butchers, fishmongers, cheesemongers and a café gallery overlooking the main hall. Queen Elizabeth II toured the market during her 2011 state visit to Ireland, the first by a reigning British monarch since 1911, and a plaque inside marks the occasion. Wander the stalls even if you're not buying anything — it's free to walk through, and it's the best single introduction to Cork's food culture.

St Fin Barre's Cathedral

The Church of Ireland cathedral on the site where the city's patron saint, Fin Barre, is said to have founded a monastic settlement. The current building — with its three limestone spires, each topped with a Celtic cross — was designed by the English architect William Burges, with the foundation stone laid in 1865 and the spires completed by 1879. It's an unusually elaborate design for an Irish cathedral, full of carved stonework and mosaic, and it's worth the admission fee to see the interior; check the cathedral's website for current opening times and prices, since it closes on Sundays and has restricted hours the rest of the week.

Shandon and St Anne's Church

Across the river on the northside, the tower of St Anne's Church is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Cork skyline, thanks partly to its odd four-sided clock — locally nicknamed the "four-faced liar" because its four faces don't always agree on the time. It was installed in 1847 and has been keeping its own eccentric schedule ever since. Visitors can pull the ropes to play the Shandon Bells themselves and climb the tower for a panoramic view over the city and harbour. Check the visitor centre's website for current admission and opening hours.

Cork City Gaol

A 19th-century prison turned museum, built above the River Lee in Sunday's Well and designed to look more like a castle than a jail. It opened in 1824 and held everyone from petty offenders to Republican prisoners during the War of Independence and Civil War before closing in 1923; it reopened as a museum in 1993. The restored cells and the building itself — all turrets and cut stone — make it one of Cork's more atmospheric stops, and it's a slightly longer walk out from the centre, so it pairs well with a stroll back along the river.

Getting around

Everything above fits inside a walk of well under an hour if you did it end to end with no stops, which is really the point about Cork city: it rewards wandering rather than route-planning. Cork Airport and Kent Station both connect to the centre by regular bus services — check Bus Éireann or Irish Rail for current timetables.

Related reading

• Cork in One Day
• Free Things to Do in Cork
• Best Day Trips from Cork