Things To Do and See

Crawford Art Gallery’s historic building provides an oasis of calm and tranquillity in the heart of Cork city. Welcoming local, national and international audiences the gallery boasts an award-winning Café in stunning surroundings, serving fresh local produce for which Cork is famous.

In the eighteenth century, the Augustinian friars established a new friary in Fishamble Lane, and the Red Abbey was turned over to use as a sugar refinery. However, a fire in the refinery destroyed much of the abbey's structure in 1799. All that remains today of the structure is the bell tower of the abbey's church. The tower is designated as a national monument and maintained by Cork City Council.

The present structure was designed by William Burges and consecrated in 1870. It is mostly built from local stone sourced from Little Island and Fermoy. The exterior is capped by three spires: two on the west front and one above the nave, at the crossing with the transept. Many of the external sculptures, including the gargoyles, were modelled by Thomas Nicholls. The entrances contain figures of over a dozen biblical characters, surmounted by a tympanum showing a Resurrection scene.

This former church occupies a site which was a focus of religious activity for many centuries and incorporates archaeological fabric. This building retains notable features and materials, such as the eighteenth-century west window, nineteenth-century pointed arch windows and mouldings, and the fine nineteenth-century railings and gates. The interior features, such as the monument to the Deane family, add artistic interest to the building and were clearly executed by skilled craftsmen.

It consists of a square tower surmounted by a lantern and on top of the lantern is a copper dome with a gilded weather vane in the shape of a salmon known locally as "the goldy fish". The tower is the home of the famous Shandon Bells where the visitor is invited to play a tune on the bells.

The Cork Butter Market building is situated in the Shandon area of the city, with the building dating from 1849. Shandon was the largest Shambles (open-air butcheries) in Ireland, and the Exchange was located within this commercial area. During the Exchange's peak in the 19th century, Cork was the largest exporter of butter in the world, with butter exported as far as Australia and India.

The Gaol was designed in the early 1800s to replace the city’s old gaol at the North Gate Bridge, which by that point was almost 100 years old, overcrowded and unhygienic. The building work started in 1818. It was designed by the architect William Robertson and built by the Deanes. When the prison opened in 1824, it was described as being “the finest in three kingdoms”.

Check out the collections of Cork Public Museum which are as rich and diverse as the history of the city itself. With 40,000 objects on display, learn about the economic, social and municipal history of the city.

The Park is named after Edward Fitzgerald, the city's Lord Mayor and Exhibition Committee chairman who was instrumental in organising Cork's International Exhibition. The legacy of this 'world trade fair' is this oasis on the outskirts of Cork city which still features the original pavilion and ornamental fountain from the Exhibition era. The Park offers a quite retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Nano Nagle Place is located on Douglas Street, just a 5-minute walk from the English Market and St. Patrick’s Street, and is an excellent start to your discovery of Cork City’s history. You receive plenty of material with your ticket that help you navigate around Nano Nagle Place as well as the city.

The stallholders are local and independent food producers or retailers, often with generations of families working in the Market. The traditional serve-over-counter stall trading also ensures that the service to the customer is personal and unique.

Charles Fort is a massive star-shaped structure of the late seventeenth century, well preserved despite its history. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin, is credited with designing it. Its dimensions are awe-inspiring – some of the outer defences are 16 metres high.

This beautiful, informative and sometimes emotive cultural Centre is inventively situated within Cobh’s beautifully restored Victorian railway station, a building with its own historic story. The Emigration Story relates the maritime, naval and military history of the area, the fortification of the harbour with forts such as Haulbowline, Spike Island, and Fort Camden and takes you on an journey of exploration of the lives of those who left from the 1600’s right through to the 1950’s.

The Old Midleton Distillery in which the Jameson Experience is located began life as a woollen mill, before being converted to a military barracks and subsequently a distillery in 1825. The distillery operated until 1975, when a new distillery was constructed alongside it to house the consolidated operations of three former whiskey-making rivals, John Jameson & Son, John Powers & Son, and Cork Distilleries Company.

The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry.

Bantry House (originally called 'Blackrock') was constructed in about 1710 on the South side of Bantry Bay. In 1750, Councillor Richard White bought Blackrock from Samuel Hutchinson and changed the name to 'Seafield'. The original design of the garden, which dates back to the second Earl of Bantry’s travels, can still be seen today. He transformed the house and garden into a “Palazzo” like those he had seen on the continent.

Originally named Fort Camden and operated by the British Armed Forces, the fort (along with other Treaty Port installations) was handed-over to the Irish Defence Forces in 1938. Renamed Fort Meagher in honour of Thomas Francis Meagher, it remained an Irish military installation until 1989 when the Irish Army handed the fort over to Cork County Council.

In 1791, the castle was donated by James Kearney MP to the town of Kinsale, and it was subsequently used as a town gaol until 1846, and during the Irish Famine as a workhouse. In 1938 it was taken into government hands, and in the 1990s was restored and opened to the public by the Office of Public Works.

The first fortification was built on Spike Island in 1779 while the American War of Independence raged and the Kingdom of Great Britain was on high alert. Over the centuries many superpowers have attempted to invade southern Ireland, attracted by the strategically vital Cork harbour. The current Spike Island fortress, built in 1804, is one of the largest military structures in the world.

Doneraile Court, the former residence of the St. Leger family, is situated within the Park. It is opened to the public following completion of restoration works. There is a Tea Rooms onsite (open 7 days a week). There are a number of free guided tours throughout the year; tours can be arranged for groups and visitors.

The park's mission goes beyond entertainment; it actively supports global conservation efforts and serves as an educational hub, emphasising the importance of preserving biodiversity and respecting the natural world. Fota Wildlife Park provides a memorable and educational experience for visitors of all ages, promoting a deeper appreciation for wildlife and its conservation.

The centre also offers guided tours of key historical sites associated with Michael Collins, including his birthplace and the ambush site where he met his tragic end. It serves as a significant hub for historical research, education, and remembrance, offering a valuable resource for those interested in Irish history and the struggle for independence. The Michael Collins Centre is a must-visit destination for anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of Ireland's complex and inspiring past.

Visitors to the park can partake in a host of outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling, and birdwatching, while relishing the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings. The park also hosts a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. With its numerous walking trails, a charming wildlife enclosure, and educational facilities, Millstreet Country Park offers a delightful blend of leisure and environmental conservation, ensuring an enriching experience for all who explore its captivating, green expanses.

Inside, visitors can explore informative exhibits that detail the history of the signal station, shipwrecks, and the crucial role this location played in navigation and communication. The real highlight, however, is stepping out to the viewing platform, where panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline, crashing waves, and the iconic Mizen Footbridge await. It's a place where history, nature, and the ever-changing moods of the sea converge, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone interested in maritime heritage and breathtaking coastal landscapes.

Visitors can explore its well-preserved ruins and buildings, gaining insight into the manufacturing processes that once occurred here. The site provides a fascinating journey through time, featuring informative displays and exhibitions about the gunpowder-making industry, as well as the social history of the people who worked there. Surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes, The Royal Gunpowder Mills offers a captivating blend of history and scenic beauty, making it a compelling destination for those seeking to delve into the past and learn about the industrial heritage of the area.

Visitors are transported back in time as they explore the intricately detailed model railway layout, complete with miniature trains winding through the countryside and past tiny, lifelike homes, shops, and landmarks. The village offers an authentic glimpse into Ireland's past, with painstaking attention to historical accuracy, from the architecture to the clothing worn by the miniature figurines. It's a delightful experience for all ages, offering a nostalgic and immersive journey through a bygone era, showcasing the craftsmanship of the model makers and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of West Cork.