5 Day Trips in The Real Republic Of Cork
Why Cork?
Cork gets overlooked in favor of Kerry by many visitors. Kerry J'Adore, but Cork has all of Kerry's beauty and food that might just nudge Kerrygold into second place. Even the strong Cork accent grows on you, like.
Cork natives say that Cork is the People's Republic and this map of Ireland is the simplest way to illustrate how Corkonians look upon themselves.
Drive Less. See More
The biggest mistake tourists make is trying to see everything in Ireland in one week, and changing towns every night. Instead, we think it's much better to stay for a few days in one place, a Hub. For each area, we give you a hub and day trips from it. We call it the smarter way to see Ireland.
Our Local Cork Insider
Cork native John Dooley is giving us the local insider tips for Cork. John is a PGA pro who owns Concierge Golf Ireland. John's travels around the golf courses of Cork make him a true Cork local expert.
What To Do Around Cork
Here's 5 day trips laid out here to explore this region of Cork. Pick your favorites, skip what doesn't interest you, or combine some days to see Cork in 3 days instead. By the end of your time in Kinsale, the locals will be nodding at you in recognition!
Two For One!
Cork is Ireland's biggest county, so big we needed two guides. This one covers central and eastern Cork. Once you're done exploring here, we have another guide to the wild beauty of West Cork waiting for you at the bottom of the page.
1.Our Cork Hub: Kinsale
Kinsale kicks off your Cork adventures with fresh fish straight off the boats, walks along the harbor to a magnificent 17th century star shaped fort, and summer swims followed by sessions in a mobile beach sauna. Watch golfers take on the Atlantic at one of Ireland's most spectacular courses, or find a quiet moment in an unexpectedly moving 9/11 memorial garden where 344 trees tell a powerful story. This colorful harbor town is where both locals and visitors come to eat well and live better.
What To Do in Kinsale: Class Food, Old Heads & Beach Saunas
2.Clonakilty & Inchydoney
Head west to Clonakilty where Ireland's most famous black pudding meets world class folk music at De Barra's, a pub that Christy Moore ranks alongside Carnegie Hall. Catch waves at Inchydoney's stunning beach, then explore tiny villages where a 65-foot whale skeleton tells an amusing tale of local rivalry. Walk the colorful Fuchsia trail, and end your day with a whiskey made from barley grown in the fields you just passed. The Big Man himself, Michael Collins, still keeps an eye on things around here.
3.Ballycotton, Ballymaloe & Middleton
Walk the spectacular Ballycotton cliffs to a lighthouse, then hop on a cozy boat to see it up close. There's even a modern ghost ship that drifted across the Atlantic before finding its final rest here. For lunch, choose between world famous Ballymaloe Cooking School or pour your own fresh milk from a farm vending machine. End your day at Midleton Distillery, but careful with that Very Rare whiskey, it might ruin all other whiskeys for you forever.
A Day Around Ballycotton & Midleton →
4.Cobh, Fota Wildlife & Spike Island
Cobh's colorful streets climb up from the harbor where the Titanic made its final stop. Today, you'll dodge cruise ships (we'll tell you when), grab a pint at the Roaring Donkey, and ferry out to Spike Island, a place that used to keep Irish children in line with just its name. See wildlife conservation in action on the only island in Ireland with its own train station. Cap it off with a visit to Frank Hederman's smokehouse, where salmon is still hung and cured the traditional way in Ireland's last timber smokehouse. Trust us, it's the best salmon you'll ever taste.
5.What To Do In Cork City
Cork city rolls up and down hills like its lyrical accent, with the River Lee keeping you from getting too lost. Start with a walking tour (the guides here are characters), then catch your breath in a peaceful 18th century convent garden that most visitors miss. The hills have blessed Cork with great spots to eat, from ethnic restaurants to local breweries. End your day on a high stool in a proper pub, learning what 'pure daycent' means from your new friend sitting next to you.
Popular But Overrated
Blarney Castle is famous for its kissing stone. You pay to queue to kiss a rock that thousands of others have kissed? The stone is underwhelming, the tour bus crowds are overwhelming so it’s a big skip for me. Find a local to kiss instead. They've usually only been kissed by hundreds.
The Last Word On Cork
While the crowds rush to Kerry, you'll be exploring Cork's winding coastal roads and tiny fishing villages. You'll meet passionate food producers, chat with locals in proper pubs, and eat food that would have a critic searching for superlatives. Cork locals will tell you this is the real capital of Ireland. Give it a few days here and you might just agree with them.
Get Lost
We'll point you in the right direction, but the real adventure is when you wander off on your own. Because in Ireland, there's no such thing as a wrong turn. Just don't ask the locals for directions unless you've got time for a chat.
Explore 5 More Cork Day Trips
We have 5 more Cork day trips in our West Cork guide. You'll be speaking like a Cork native if you do all ten!
Have Questions?
Need help planning your trip? Got a burning Cork question? Leave a comment below or on Facebook.
