Going to Ireland for work or vacation? Discover the south of the country and the best place to stay in Cork!
Often referred to as « the real capital of Ireland » by its residents, Cork is the second largest and third most populous city in Ireland, UK. Situated on the banks of the River Lee, it has a lively atmosphere, much appreciated by expatriates. The good news is that accommodation in Cork is no more expensive than in a major French city. A stronghold of rebellion and resistance against English colonization, Cork has had a reputation for independence ever since it was invaded by the Vikings. With a population of just 125,622, the city’s past is as interesting as it is painful. What’s more, its cultural heritage is well worth exploring: museums, festivals and historic monuments. These are major assets for visiting during the day and going out at night in the bars where the beer flows freely.
As is often the case, each area of Cork offers a different atmosphere. Between tourist, student, working-class and middle-class neighborhoods, here’s our overview of where to sleep in Cork.
Downtown
Photo credit: Flickr – hectorlo
This islet on the River Lee is Cork’s bustling commercial hub. The city center is concentrated on an island – Lapp’s island – hemmed in between the banks of the Lee. In the city center, you’ll find St. Patrick’s Street, Cork’s most popular shopping street, with a wide range of stores where you can buy everything you need, a variety of restaurants serving international cuisine, and above all, bars and pubs galore. The parallel street – Oliver Plunkett Street – is one of the district’s main thoroughfares, with a large number of bars and pubs, ideal for sampling Irish beers.
Stop off at St Finbar’s Cathedral, Cork’s landmark, but also the Huguenot Cemetery, the Berwick Fountain, the National Monument, the Courthouse Chambers – the Law Courts -, the University – reminiscent of the Harry Potter film set -, the English Market – or the Town Hall: a whole concentration of counter-culture, unlike any other in Ireland, can be found in Cork. Nearby, think of Elizabeth Fort, on the south bank. On the other hand, Lapp’s island offers very little in the way of accommodation.
Shandon
Photo credit: Flickr – William Murphy
To the north of the central island, the Shandon district appears quieter and also more religious: many churches are located here. When visiting or expatriating to a city, we like to know which are the best places to visit. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s and Saint Ann’s Cathedrals and theCork Butter Museum. There won’t be many pubs or hotels here, so it’s a quiet area in which to stay in Cork, but it will appeal to tourists who love religious buildings or are looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Kinsale
Photo credit: Flickr – Sean Rowe
If you want to get away from Cork for a while, the small ports along the coast near Cork are a must on any trip to Ireland. It would be a shame to stay in Cork without visiting Cork Bay or the small villages dotting the Irish coast! For your information, Cork Bay – where migrants fleeing famine left for the American New World, and where ships such as the Titanic sailed from – is the world’s second-largest natural harbor after Sydney. For example, spend a night in Kinsale, a small, typically Irish port where Irish folklore is alive and well. Visit Saint Multose Church, Desmond Castle, the marina and the small, colorful streets of the town center. Not far from Cork, don’t miss the town of Cobh.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Francesco Crippa