I’m just back from Cork. I arrived on Monday evening and got back Tuesday night. I was staying in Ballincollig, and with the help of the 232 bus I was able to spend much of my time in Cork City.
The weather was very like today, damp and grey but it was still pleasant enough for walking around taking photos.
It’s been years since I’ve spent any time in the centre of Cork and I really loved it. My day was full, but relaxed. The only commitment I had was to meet a friend for coffee at Costa Coffee on Emmet Place.
It was great to catch up, drink a good cup of coffee and enjoy a raspberry and almond slice! What could be better.
So this is what I got up to:
- Visited The English Market
- Had a pint of Beamish in The Long Valley on Winthrop Street
- Got a culture fix in The Crawford Gallery, Emmet Place
- Strolled around the UCC campus, Mardyke and FitzGerald Park
- Did Pana – that’s walk up and down Patrick Street
- Marvelled at the detail on the West face of Saint Finbarre’s Cathedral
- Followed the self guided Shandon Walk
Here are some photos I took on the way.
If all of that seems too much, then I’d focus on The Shandon Walk. Pick up a leaflet from the Tourist Office on Grand Parade and follow the route from Daunt’s Square along Paul Street to the Opera House, then over the Lee where you’ll see the Firkin Crane, the Butter Exchange, Saint Anne’s Church, the birthplace of Jack Lynch and the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne. And it doesn’t stop there! You follow Shandon Street to Griffith Bridge and back across the Lee to North Main Street where you can see plaques marking historical lanes that ran off the street.
The walk itself only takes an hour if you’re just trying to get from A to B. But if like me you’re happy to pop into the churches, museums and galleries, see what the shops have to offer or just fancy a coffee or a pint, then the Shandon Walk could keep you busy all day long.
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