Cork Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in County Cork, Munster Province, Ireland
About Cork
Corcaighis an old word for "salt-marsh" — the River Lee broke up into a wetland delta draining into the drowned valley that forms its natural outer harbour. It was tidal and navigable, and Saint Fin Barre founded a monastery on its south bank in 606 AD, the nucleus of a settlement. The Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries and the Anglo-Normans from the 12th were also attracted by this fertile area, and sought to claim the area as their own. It was under King Henry II that Cork was granted city status in 1185. Medieval Cork was walled for defence and overcrowded, so several river channels became infilled, the basis of what is now St Patrick's Street, South Mall and Grand Parade. The main north and south channels persisted, enclosing the arrow-shaped island of the city centre. Cork's heyday
Top Attractions in Cork
Explore the best things to see and do in Cork:
- ★2024 Four Nations - Masters hockey
- ★Barryscourt Castle
- ★Blackrock Castle Observatory
- ★Butter Museum
- ★Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne
- ★Church of St Anne, Shandon
- ★Cork City FC
- ★Cork City Gaol
Where to Eat in Cork
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Amigo's
- 🍴Barry's of Douglas
- 🍴Café Gusto
- 🍴Café Paradiso
- 🍴Clancys
- 🍴Dukes Coffee Company
Where to Stay in Cork
- 🏨Auburn House
- 🏨Ballymaloe House
- 🏨Bru Hostel
- 🏨Clayton Hotel Cork City
- 🏨Clayton Hotel Silver Springs
- 🏨Cork International Hotel
Cork Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: