Things To Do
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS IN CORK CITY
Just a 10 minute walk from The Address Cork, is Cork City’s newest shopping addition to the retail district. Make it top of your things to do in Cork City. This pedestrianised street provides a range of retail outlets including: –
- River Island
- H&M
- Topshop
- GAP
- Next
- New Look
- Vila
- Kuyichi
- CC Viyella
- Compu-B
Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention beyond Munster ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our Tower. Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words.
Fota Wildlife Park is a joint project between the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork (UCC), an idea originally conceived in the 1970s by former Director of Dublin Zoo, Dr. Terry Murphy. The Park was officially opened in 1983 by the then President of Ireland, the late Dr. Patrick Hillery, and has gone from strength to strength since – welcoming record visitor numbers in the years after a significant redevelopment of facilities in 2010 and 2011. It has been listed as one of Ireland’s Top Ten visitor attractions (CSO 2010) and is the most popular tourist destination in Cork.
Immerse yourself in the charms of this elegant Regency House: home to the Smith Barrys for centuries. Fota House was redesigned in the 1820s by John ‘The Magnificent’ Smith Barry as a splendid setting for his sumptuous entertainments.
A special feature is our service wing, where you can experience what life was like for the cooks, butlers, footmen and maids who supported the lavish lifestyle of the gentry.
If you’re interested in stars and astronomy why not pay Blackrock Castle a visit. The castellated fortification is located on the banks of the River Lee and only a 12 minute drive from The Address Cork Hotel Cork. The castles observatory houses an award-winning interactive astronomy centre which is open to the public and has exhibits including a “tour of the universe” and a radio telescope that beams messages composed towards nearby stars. You can send a message to space at the Pan Galactic Station and it will be sent at your command via the castle’s radio telescope and beamed into space.
The English Market in the heart of Cork City is one of the oldest markets in Cork and a main shopping institution of Corkonians and visitors alike along with the Coal Quay on Cornmarket Street.
The English Market in Cork is an enclosed market area where lots of fresh local produce can be purchased including meat, fish, Cork’s favourite tripe and drisheen, fruit and vegetables and many locally produced cheeses. It is also where you can sit and enjoy a coffee at your leisure and a wonderful chocolate or two, continue on and browse some vintage clothes or funky Tee Shirts. For the European flavour there are delicious olives, spice stalls and some French Soaps or Lavender.
On Friday 20th May 2011, HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited Cork on the final day of the Queen’s State Visit to Ireland. The Queen paid a visit to the English Market, where The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Michael O’Connell, took her on a tour of the food aisles where she met with the Market traders.
Cork Opera House has had a glorious history of both culture and architecture dating back to its inception in 1852 when it was first built on Anglesea Street to house the National Exhibition. As it was designed by the much celebrated architect Sir John Benson, the structure was deconstructed brick by brick to be rehoused on Emmet Place or as it was known then, Nelson Place.
When first built this beautiful structure was known as the Athenaeum, after which it went through a number of name changes including the Munster Hall, The Great & Royal Opera House Company and, finally became known as Cork City’s beloved Cork Opera House in 1877.
Live at the Marquee is a season of music concerts and other live performances organised by Aiken Promotions. Attending this festival is the only way to kick-start your summer. The annual music festival is usually over multiple days in June and July. All the performances take place in a large marquee specially erected in Cork’s Docklands area. Acts have represented many genres of popular music, including rock, folk, electronic, hip hop, R&B as well as stand-up comedy acts. Our hotel is a ten minute drive from the venue so no need to camp outside.
The Everyman is one of Ireland’s leading middle scale presenting and producing theatres. The beautiful 650 seat theatre is a jewel of late Victorian architecture. A listed building, the theatre is steeped in history and is a favourite with audiences and performers alike for its intimacy and atmosphere. Presenting an extraordinary range of live entertainment, the Everyman has hosted performances in recent years by artists and companies as diverse as Ed Harris, Druid, Gate Theatre, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, Abbey Theatre, Sir Tom Courtenay, Edward Fox, David Suchet, The Godot Company, Chinese State Circus, Royal Shakespeare Company, The Frames, Steven Berkoff, Opera Theatre Company, Paul Brady, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Tommy Tiernan, Herbie Hancock, Keith Barry and many more.
Cork is a city with a very rich historical and archaeological heritage much of it still in evidence today. Part of this heritage, Cork City Gaol is located 2km n/w from Patrick’s Street and while the magnificent castle like building is now a major and unique visitor attraction, this Gaol once housed 19th century prisoners. Visitors get a fascinating insight into day to day prison life at a time when the high walls ensured no escape and denied law abiding citizens the opportunity to see one of the finest examples of Ireland’s architectural heritage.
Set on 15 acres and beautifully restored, this is where the true heart of Irish whiskey beats. Our old distillery is a unique experience with some of the buildings dating back to 1795. Take a journey through history and see the old kilns, mills and malting, water wheel and old warehouses. The Jameson Experience in Midleton is one of the top attractions in Cork.
Cobh (formerly Queenstown) is a pretty seaside town in County Cork, Ireland . It is steeped in history and is an ideal place to visit during your stay in Cork City. Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. These included Annie Moore and her two brothers – the first immigrants to be processed on Ellis Island in New York. On 11 April 1912 Queenstown was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic as she set out across the Atlantic on her ill-fated maiden voyage. The RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Boat off the Old Head of Kinsale on May 7, 1915. The survivors were brought to the town of Cobh, and over one hundred victims lie buried in the Old Church Cemetery about a mile north of the town. Famous boxer, entertainer, wrestler and playboy Jack Doyle is also buried in this cemetery.