Cork in 2-3 days
Day 1
Start at a local café for an Irish breakfast (bacon and fried eggs and black pudding). Head out to Blarney Castle (it’s 30 minutes by bus from Cork) to kiss the famous stone, and wander round the impressive castle.
You should be able to make it back to town in time for an afternoon speedboat tour around Cork Harbour, which is highly recommended. Have dinner at the Farmgate Restaurant, followed up by a pint or two at any of the pubs in the centre of town.
Day 2
Walk or take a short bus ride to the atmospheric Cork Gaol, then head over to the Shandon neighbourhood, opposite the city centre on the north side of the River Lee.
Check out St Finbarre’s cathedral and have a brief wander around the neighbourhood. Then head over to the train station for a trip (25 minutes) to picturesque Cobh, on Cork Harbour.
Don’t miss the heritage centre (it’s far, far more interesting than it sounds). Wind down your day with a pint at the Sin e and Dan Crowley’s on McCurtain St.
