Posted on November 29, 2012 by sguese

 

In a prime position, just 160 miles from Dublin and 128 miles from Galway, uncorking cork has never been a problem.

 Begin at Cork’s Beginnings at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral

A day in Cork for the first timer should begin at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The church rests on the site of the entrance to medieval Cork. It is also reportedly where Saint Fin Barre set up his monastery in 650 AD. He is credited with being the founder of Cork. The Cathedral itself is a compact three spire Gothic showpieces. It was completed in 1879 and is home to a prestigious 3,000 pipe organ.

Grab a Bite at the Old English Market

The Old English Market is one of Cork’s best places to grab a bite to eat in a grand location. Easily thought of as a standout food market in Ireland, the Old English Market dates back to a charter of King James I in 1610. The present building was finished in 1788 but was later refurbished after fires in the 1980s. Stands set up selling meats, fish, vegetables, fruit, coffee and fresh snacks. The brick and cast iron Victorian building only makes this stop on a day in Cork all the sweeter.

 

Spend The Afternoon at the Crawford Art Gallery

Ranking as one of Ireland’s best art spaces, the Crawford Art Gallery proudly claims a collection of works by Irish painters. Visitors can expect to see treasures from Jack B. Yeats, Nathaniel Grogan, James Barry and William Orpen, just to name a few. The gallery is also home to sculptures and hand crafted silver and glass pieces.

 

Go to Jail Without Doing Anything Illegal at the Cork City Gaol

If you hire a car while in Cork, you can easily make your way to the Cork City Gaol. Just under 2 kilometers west of the city, the imposing former prison invites those to see the harshness of the 19^th century penal system. The jail was infamous throughout the 19^th and early 20^th centuries for housing figures from the revolutionary movement. As you tour the restored cells, you will uncover that the most common crime was that of poverty. Many who served their time here where sentenced for stealing bread.

 

Imbibe a Pint at the Beamish and Crawford Brewery

Cork is home to the famous Beamish and Crawford Brewery. This institution proudly lays claims to being the most ancient porter brewery in Ireland. Tours of the brewery end on a high note with rounds of the famous Beamish brews.