Friday, February 3, 2012

CORK CITY: see, shop, eat, drink, stay..........


Recently, Argus Car Rentals asked me to do a guide for first time visitors to Cork City. Might also be a help to the locals so I've posted it below....

First time visiting Cork? We want you to make the most from your rental car Cork experience. For that reason, we've enlisted the assistance of a local travel expert to help get you on your way. Follow these important travel tips and enjoy the finest that Cork is offering.
See: The Queen made it her number one stop in Cork so you’ve just got to visit the English Market, an institution in the city since 1788. Nearby, you’ll see the spires of historic St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

St Anne’s Church in Shandon is another landmark. Visit and don’t forget to ring the bells. Be sure also to check the four clocks on the tower, better known here as the four liars (since they don’t always agree). Cork was once the butter capital of the world and the Butter Museum is in the shadow of Shandon.

Staying north of the river, why not pay a call to the storied cells of the City GaolThe Glucksman is a lovely new art gallery in the leafy grounds of the university while the well established Crawford Gallery is easily accessible in the city centre, next door to the Opera House.
Shop: While in the English Market why not do a bit of shopping and check out local delicacies such as buttered eggs and spiced beef. The compact city centre boasts a couple of top notch shopping centres: Merchants Quay and the new Opera Lane area. North Main Street has Bradley’s, founded in 1850 and famous for its wall of craft beers (110 at last count).

For a different experience head to Mahon Point Farmer’s Market every Thursday where you’ll find fantastic local cheese and meat and much more, including wild mushrooms, all within a few yards of the large shopping centre.
Eat: No shortage of eating places. At the high end, you’ve got Les Gourmandises and Augustine’s while top lunchtime venues are the Farmgate and Nash 19. See my top 31 local restaurants here.  Coffee stops, led by Cafe Gusto, abound.
Drink: For something a little different you’ll find the newly opened L’Atitude Wine CafĂ© close to the City Hall. The emphasis here is on quality wines and tasty local snacks. Electric, with its downstairs bar and upstairs eatery, has taken the South Mall by storm since it opened in 2010. The BoardwalkSoHo and the Bodega are other modern bars with restaurants attached.
Read more here


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