Cork

Finding the perfect place to stay whilst in Cork is easy, there are enough options to suit everyone’s style and budget. From grand five-star hotels in the countryside to family-run B&Bs in the city centre, there’s plenty to choose from for your holiday. Located in a manor house, Hayfield Manor lies only a 15-minute walk from the city centre, offering the luxury of grandiose gardens, an indoor pool and bedrooms adorned with individual antiques. The Gabriel House Guesthouse overlooks both Cathedral spires and the seafront harbour, boasting high ceilings and a characteristic staircase for its guests. Close to both train stations and the airport, this guesthouse is an excellent option for anyone looking for a more moderately priced option.

In a compact city, Cork is well suited to shoppers. From quirky side-street boutiques, selling second-hand books and music on vinyl to monster malls, there is something for everyone. The backbone of the city’s shopping district is St Patrick’s Street, with a shopping centre housed in the Old Cornmarket building where you will be sure to find high street favourites. Shopaholics will find a host of items in the flagship Dunnes (Patrick Street) department store, which first opened in 1944. Typical souvenirs from Cork include local whiskey, stouts, woollen goods, crystal and ceramics.

Establishing itself as a foodie haven, Cork has plenty of culinary delights for visitors to enjoy during their stay. The coastal location makes Cork idyllic for those who favour seafood, with numerous restaurants serving freshly caught fish. The famous English Market in Cork is a must for food lovers, with favourites such as the ‘On the Pig’s Back’ serving famous deli food. The market offers a bounty of local cheeses, meats, seafood and bread. The Paradiso restaurant competes as one of the best restaurants of any genre with delicious vegetarian and vegan options on the menu as well. For a café experience, the quaint Tara’s Tea Room, and the perfect stop for a piece of fresh cake and a cup of tea.

Cork Midsummer Festival

June

Cork’s diverse talent is put on display in a series of performances over ten days, starting on Midsummer’s Day. The all-embracing arts festival attracts both emerging local talent and international names. You can expect performances all over as the whole city becomes a stage from forts and churches to the roof of City Hall and a factory floor.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

October

The colourful streets of Kinsale come alive in Ireland’s biggest Jazz festival, drawing tens of thousands of festival-goers every year. The illustrious previous line-ups include performances from Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie. During the festival, there will be more than 100 gigs performed across more than 20 venues. For any Jazz enthusiast, this is a must-see event.