Things to do in Cork City
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A
Waterstone’s
Has the best travel section in the southwest.
reviewed
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B
Gate Multiplex
Multiscreen cinema showing mainstream films.
reviewed
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C
Connolly’s Bookshop
Great chat and masses of second-hand books.
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D
Loafers
Cork's oldest and most laid-back gay bar.
reviewed
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WhazOn?
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E
On the Pig's Back
Boasts house-made sausages and incredible cheeses, many ready to munch.
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F
Joup
Has a range of soups and Med-flavoured salads, plus sandwiches on a variety of homemade breads.
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Everyman Palace Theatre
Musicians with a decent following will inevitably find themselves performing on the stage of the Everyman, which is a great venue for gigs that require a little bit of respectful silence.
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G
English Market
Cork picnickers are a fortunate bunch. The wonderful market is a self-caterer's paradise with so many tasty delicacies to choose from it's hard to show restraint. The emphasis is on local produce, with cheeses, ham, buttered eggs, sausages, bread and smoked salmon on offer, but there are some imports such as olives and wine too.
reviewed
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Shandon
Perched on a hillside overlooking the city centre from the north, Shandon is a great spot for the views alone, but you'll also find galleries, antique shops and cafes along its old lanes and squares. Those tiny old row houses, where generations of workers raised huge families in very basic conditions, are now sought-after urban pieds-à-terre.
Shandon is dominated by the 1722 St Anne's Church, aka the 'Four-Faced Liar', so called as each of the tower's four clocks used to tell a different time. Wannabe campanologists can ring the bells on the 1st floor of the 1750 Italianate tower and continue the 132 steps up to the top for 360-degree views of the city.
Cork has a long…
reviewed
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H
Savoy
A multi-purpose theatre with a pretty decent gig list, mostly of the mid-level chart variety – this is the place to see the latest UK R'n'B star strut their funky stuff.
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I
Indigo
A table on the fabulous riverside deck overlooking the Lee is the ideal spot at this relatively new brasserie, but should you be forced inside you'll find consolation in the menu, which offers up excellent burgers, steak sandwiches, salads and sandwiches, all made with locally sourced ingredients. They have a pretty decent wine list too.
reviewed
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Fresco
This above-par museum cafe has sweeping views of the university grounds and a broad range of dishes on its menu – from burgers to burritos, salads, pastas and a pretty tasty club sandwich, it's all freshly made and served with style.
reviewed
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J
Cyprus Avenue
A mid-sized venue that is probably the best spot in town to see all kinds of gigs, from heartfelt singer-songwriters to excellent bands on their way to fame (or on their way down from it).
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K
Crane Lane Theatre
Their courtyard beer garden is a central Cork oasis.
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L
Cornstore
The buzzy bistro's bar is a swishy place for a cocktail.
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Cork Walks
Cork City Council's two free self-guided tours cover the South Parish and Shandon. Pick up the guide and map at the tourist office.
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Cork Literary Tour
A free audio walking tour of Cork; pick up a copy or download one onto your MP3 player at the Cork City Library.
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Cork Historic Walking Tours
Runs 90-minute tours from the tourist office.
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Cork City Tour
Hop-on-hop-off open-top bus linking the city's main areas of interest. The Outer Limits Tour takes you outside the centre.
reviewed
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M
Cafe Paradiso
A contender for best eatery in town, this down-to-earth vegetarian restaurant serves a superb range of dishes, including vegan fare: how about sweet chilli-glazed panfried tofu with asian greens in a coconut and lemongrass broth, soba noodles and a gingered aduki bean wonton; or spring cabbage dolma of roast squash, caramelised onion & hazelnut with cardamom yoghurt, harissa sauce, broad beans and saffron-crushed potatoes? Reservations are essential.
reviewed