Things to do in Cork City
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Café Gusto
Wraps, salads and pittas and a commitment to the finest fillings are the order of the day at this simple café. Gusto's assertion that it makes the best coffee in Cork is no idle claim either. You can sit in at high counter tops or take away, and there's a second branch at Lapps Quay.
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Liquid Lounge
Dialled down several notches from the megaclubs, regular gigs here feature bands signed to Irish labels, and DJ sets covering music from Celtic rock to everything current. Mondays see folk dancing, including free lessons. There’s a rooftop terrace and a popular restaurant to boot.
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Mutton Lane Inn
Tucked down the tiniest of laneways off St Patrick's St, this inviting pub, lit by candles and fairy lights, is one of Cork's most intimate drinking holes. It's minuscule and much admired, so try to get in early to bag the snug, or join the smokers perched on beer kegs outside.
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Liberty Grill
A gleaming white outpost on an otherwise faded street of brick facades, the Liberty Grill is popular for its locally sourced menu of crowd pleasers, like traditional breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, salads and slightly more ambitious dinner fare. Think of it as a diner for foodies.
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Scoozi's
There's lots of exposed brickwork and burnished wood inside this hugely popular café-restaurant. Snug alcoves add intimacy as the fast and friendly young staff dish up breakfasts, pizzas, pastas, grills and a fair selection of wine. It's a great place for families too.
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Nash 19
A sensational bistro with a small market inside; local foods are honoured from breakfast to lunch and on to tea. Fresh scones draw in the crowds early; daily fresh specials (soups, salads, desserts, etc) and an incredible burger keep them coming through the rest of the day.
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Blarney Castle
If you need proof of the power of a good yarn, then join the queue to get into this 15th-century castle, one of Ireland's most inexplicably popular tourist attractions.
They're here, of course, to plant their lips on the Blarney Stone, a cliché that has entered every lexicon and tour route. The object of their affections is perched at the top of a steep climb up slippery spiral staircases. On the battlements, you bend backwards over a long, long drop (with safety grill and attendant to prevent tragedy) to kiss the stone; as your shirt rides up, coach loads of onlookers stare up your nose. Once you're upright, don't forget to admire the stunning views before descending. Try…
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Cork Vision Centre
There’s a model exhibition at the Cork Vision Centre – literally. A huge and intriguing model of the city and its surrounds dominates the centre of this old church. Special exhibits include local art and engaging historical photographs.
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Café de la Paix
An unassuming red exterior hides this chilled-out wine bar backing on to the River Lee. Picture windows make the most of the view and there’s a fabulous riverside deck. Global favourites grace the menu, from Thai curries to daily pasta specials.
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Red Abbey Tower
RedAbbeyTower, the only medieval building left in Cork, is all that remains of a 14th-century Augustinian priory. Its location is fairly anonymous, but a bit of imagination will help create a stirring sense of antiquity.
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Cork Opera House
This leading venue has been entertaining the city for more than 150 years with everything from opera and ballet to stand-up and puppet shows. Performances are as varied as Carmen, Brian Kennedy and Jane Eyre.
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Cork Butter Museum
The Cork Butter Museum has interesting displays showing how the Irish butter industry took a commodity item (butter) and created a brand (Kerry Gold) that has allowed farmers to sell the spreadable stuff at a premium.
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Blackrock Castle
Blackrock Castle is a restored 16th-century castle that now, rather incongruously, hosts a science centre and observatory. But kids love it and the pastoral location is worth the jaunt. Take bus 2 to get there.
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Cork Public Museum
Located in a pleasant Georgian house in Fitzgerald Park, this museum recounts Cork’s history from the Stone Age right up to local football legend Roy Keane with a diverse collection of local artefacts. There’s a cafe next door.
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Red Abbey Tower
Red Abbey Tower, the only medieval building left in Cork, is all that remains of a 14th-century Augustinian priory. Its location is fairly anonymous, but a bit of imagination will help create a stirring sense of antiquity.
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O'Connaill
Don't leave Cork without sampling the Chocolatier's Hot Chocolate (€4) at O'Connaill confectioners' tiny counter. The foolhardy can stagger away with 2.5kg slabs of chocolate, but there are subtler concoctions on offer.
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Pavilion
This modern-day coffee house has java by day, which you can enjoy at long tables. By night it has one of Cork's best mixes of bands, musicians and vocalists. Jazz, blues, rock, alternative and more are on the line-up.
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Dan Lowry's
Genial is the word as you first enter this timeless family pub and are greeted by the generations of regulars. It's cosy in more ways than one; you can often get a seat on a Saturday night and enjoy an intimate chat.
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G2
Cork’s club life really does rival Dublin’s, in quantity if not in quality. G2 goes all guns blazing for pissed students and 20 somethings on the pull. If this is your scene it will keep you happy.
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An Spailpín Fánac
'The Wandering Labourer' really hangs on to its character, with exposed brickwork, stone-flagged floors, snug corners and open fires. There are good trad music sessions most nights.
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Triskel Arts Centre
Expect a varied program of live music, installation art, photography and theatre at this intimate venue. There's also a great cafe.
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Crane Lane Theatre
An excellent venue for live music, Crane Lane also has a great beer garden during the day.
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Crawford Gallery Café
An elegant blue dining room and exquisite seasonal and locally produced food make for high-class gallery grazing at the Crawford. It's also a quality place for a spot of eavesdropping.
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Savoy
The city's best DJs (and a changing menu of visiting ones) usually show their skills in the Savoy's weekend club nights.
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Havana Browns
Long-running Havana Browns has three bars, a VIP room, an outdoor terrace and a fine line in neon and amber backlighting. The music doesn’t stray far from MTV’s current playlist.
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