Things to do in County Cork

Activities, attractions and tours

Charles Fort featuring a bay or harbour, boating and a coastal town
Ireland which includes a bridge as well as a couple
County Cork
County Cork
Bantry House and Garden featuring a city, château or palace and heritage architecture

Browse County Cork activities by category

Tours & day trips
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History & culture
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Food, drink & nightlife
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Adventure & outdoor
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Top places to visit

1. Blarney Castle

Visit Blarney Castle to see dungeons, towers and ramparts of a fortress dating back to the 15th century. Marvel at the colorful flower displays of the perfectly groomed gardens and enjoy picnics on pristine lawns. Climb to the Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it. Today’s Blarney Castle is the third structure on the site and was established in 1446 by the then King of Munster.
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Blarney Castle featuring heritage elements, heritage architecture and a castle

2. University College Cork

Cork University College is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland and was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s colleges located in Belfast, Galway and Cork. The university won international acclaim when it was named Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2011.
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Situated by the banks of the River Lee, University College Cork is a gorgeous, ornate gothic structure with a rich reputation for academic excellence.

3. English Market

Visit Cork’s English Market to encounter the infectious sights, sounds and smells of a centuries-old food market. Discover everything from organic fruits and vegetables to artisanal ice cream, fresh seafood and locally produced cheeses. Try typical Cork fare while watching the bustling market activity from the comfort of a café or restaurant. The English Market dates back to 1788. Today its more than 50 traders form an integral part of Cork’s culinary scene.
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English Market showing food, interior views and markets

4. Cork City Gaol

Visit Cork City Gaol, where prisoners were held in gruesome conditions for almost a century during the 1800s and 1900s. Learn about this historic prison’s famous inmates, their crimes, escapes and executions while walking between the well-preserved cells. Cork City Goal opened in 1824 and became an all-female prison in 1878. It held a mix of well-known prisoners and poor citizens, many convicted of petty crimes such as stealing clothes and food.
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Cork City Gaol featuring heritage architecture, an administrative building and heritage elements

5. Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park is an expansive rural setting where exotic animals roam and interact with one another. It focuses on conservation and improving the quality of life of the animals with vast spaces and unobtrusive barriers. Bring the kids to this picturesque island zoo to see giraffes, wild cats and primates.
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Fota Wildlife Park which includes land animals and zoo animals as well as a small group of people

6. Blarney Stone

Embedded into the moss and lichen-speckled battlements of Blarney Castle, in the small village of the same name, kissing the Blarney Stone is no easy feat. This is particularly true for anyone with a fear of heights as kissing the stone involves leaning backwards over the castle walls to reach it with one’s lips. Nevertheless, this has not stopped countless individuals from doing so over the centuries, in their quest for the gift of the gab.
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While County Cork is not short on medieval history, you will only find one Blarney Stone. Located roughly five miles northwest of Cork, the stone is said to have mythical qualities. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone grants the gift of eloquence to anybody who kisses it.

Most popular experiences in County Cork

Tours & day trips

See all 106 activities
Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle 1-Day Rail Tour

Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle 1-Day Rail Tour

Activity duration is 13 hours
8.2 out of 10 with 76 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$1,229 per adult
Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle 1-Day Rail TourOpens in new tab
Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork

Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork

Activity duration is 10 hours
8.8 out of 10 with 12 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$610 per adult
Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from CorkOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 59 activities
DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual to...

DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual to...

Activity duration is 2 hours and 14 minutes
Price is HK$116 per adult
DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual to...Opens in new tab
Ring of Kerry

Ring of Kerry

Activity duration is 8 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$7,693 per traveller*
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 8 activities
Electric Bike Tour of Kinsale with Expert Local Guide

Electric Bike Tour of Kinsale with Expert Local Guide

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$575 per adult
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Kinsale: Guided eBike Sightseeing Tour

Kinsale: Guided eBike Sightseeing Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$575 per adult
Kinsale: Guided eBike Sightseeing TourOpens in new tab

Attractions

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Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket with GUIDEBOOK

Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket with GUIDEBOOK

Activity duration is 2 hours
6.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$113 per adult
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Family Fun Adventure at Fota Island

Family Fun Adventure at Fota Island

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$265 per adult
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Classes & workshops

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Cork: Jameson Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery

Cork: Jameson Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery

Activity duration is 1 hour
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$531 per adult
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Clonakilty Distillery: Tour & Classic Whisky Tasting

Clonakilty Distillery: Tour & Classic Whisky Tasting

Activity duration is 1 hour and 15 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$177 per adult
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What to do in County Cork

Popular places to visit

Blarney Castle featuring heritage elements, heritage architecture and a castle

Blarney Castle

4.5/5(40 reviews)

Walk in the footsteps of ancient kings, wander amid mystical gardens and kiss the venerated Blarney Stone at this centuries-old castle.

Blarney Castle
University College Cork

University College Cork

5/5(19 reviews)

Situated by the banks of the River Lee, University College Cork is a gorgeous, ornate gothic structure with a rich reputation for academic excellence.

University College Cork
English Market showing food, interior views and markets

English Market

4.5/5(70 reviews)

Shop for fresh produce from around the world and sample traditional Cork dishes at this historic food market inside a grand Victorian building.

English Market
Cork City Gaol featuring heritage architecture, an administrative building and heritage elements

Cork City Gaol

4.5/5(19 reviews)

Experience the harshness of Irish penal life in the 19th century as you wander amid the cells of this architecturally impressive former prison.

Cork City Gaol
Fota Wildlife Park which includes land animals and zoo animals as well as a small group of people

Fota Wildlife Park

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Watch cheetahs running at full speed for their lunch and feed penguins and lemurs in this large nature reserve on an island.

Fota Wildlife Park
Blarney Stone

Blarney Stone

4.5/5(35 reviews)

While County Cork is not short on medieval history, you will only find one Blarney Stone. Located roughly five miles northwest of Cork, the stone is said to have mythical qualities. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone grants the gift of eloquence to anybody who kisses it.

Blarney Stone
Cork Opera House

Cork Opera House

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Get tickets for a show at Cork Opera House, a popular theatre in Cork. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this walkable area or seek out the local tours.

Cork Opera House
Inchydoney Island Beach

Inchydoney Island Beach

5/5(13 reviews)

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Inchydoney Island Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Inchydoney. Visit the spas in this relaxing area or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Inchydoney Island Beach
Bantry House and Garden featuring a city, château or palace and heritage architecture

Bantry House

4.5/5(7 reviews)

This privately owned 18th-century estate looks out over Bantry Bay. Stay for the afternoon or splurge and spend the night.

Bantry House

Areas of County Cork

English Market showing markets, food and interior views

Cork City Centre

4/5(22 area reviews)

Travellers come to Cork City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Oliver Plunkett Street and Cork Opera House while you're in town.

Cork City Centre
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Victorian Quarter

4/5(33 area reviews)

Victorian Quarter is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Everyman Palace Theatre and Leisureplex while you're in town.

Victorian Quarter
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Wilton

When in Wilton, you can plan a visit to Musgrave Park and Turners Cross, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Wilton
St. Anne\'s Shandon Church featuring a city

Shandon

4/5(10 area reviews)

Shandon is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Bells of Shandon or St. Anne's Shandon Church.

Shandon
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Huguenot Quarter

While visiting Huguenot Quarter, you might make a stop by sights like St. Patrick's Street and Paul Street.

Huguenot Quarter
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Fairhill

When in Fairhill, you can plan a visit to Bells of Shandon and St. Anne's Shandon Church, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Fairhill
Muckross House showing flowers, château or palace and a garden

Killarney

Cork

Cork

Blarney Castle which includes heritage elements, a castle and flowers

Blarney

Photo by Annie Chamberlain

Clonakilty

Cobh which includes a bay or harbour, heritage architecture and a coastal town

Cobh

Fota Wildlife Park which includes cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals

Fota

Glengarriff

Glengarriff