Cork City On A Shoestring - A Traveller's Guide
- Helen
- Oct 8, 2018
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 16, 2019
Do you want to visit beautiful Cork in Ireland but need to find a way to experience the city and it’s offerings without even scratching the surface of any savings you might have?
Trust me, it is more than possible to find plenty to see and do in Cork and soak up some Irish craic on a shoestring budget.
I recently spent a week house-sitting in Cork, did plenty of sight-seeing and all in spent less than 60 euros. This includes food, drinks and entertainment but excludes flights (although flying from the UK these were very cheap on a budget airline!).
So, tighten your purse-strings as you won’t be needing all that dosh and let me tell you how to enjoy Cork on a shoestring!
Travel From The Airport
Assuming, like me, you arrive in Cork by aeroplane you will want to know what options there are in getting from the airport to the city.
On a shoestring budget, the luxury of taxi travel is a dream so public transport becomes your friend!
Luckily, in Cork they have a great bus service running from the airport to the very centre of Cork and it is far from expensive.
For this 20 minute journey from the doors of Cork Airport to the Central Bus Station (Parnell Place) in the city you will pay just under 3 euros (one way)...
The 226 bus runs regularly through the day, although evenings may be more sparse.
To learn more about this service and their timetables check their website.
A Walk-able City
Once you have arrived in the centre of Cork, the good news is that the city itself is compact and everything is easily walk-able (as long as you don’t mind the odd hill and cobbles!).
The city is situated on the River Lee and this splits into channels, creating island pockets within Cork.
This means that you will never find yourself far from water and cross many bridges!
Much of Cork’s Beauty is in it’s Architecture
Just ambling around the city, taking in the buildings, the old lanes of shops, bars and restaurants; walking along the river and admiring the landscape overall can use up many a happy hour.
Free Attractions Not To Miss
Once you are ready to see some more attractions, or when the rain descends which apparently is not uncommon in Ireland(!) then take time out and visit one (or more) of these great free attractions the city offers:
No trip to Cork would be complete without a trip to the English Market.
Situated in the main shopping area of the city, this indoor market is open Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm.
The market has been in existence since 1788 and today offers a huge variety of products to suit every budget.
Upstairs in the market there is also a cafe and restaurant in case you are in need of a sit-down refreshment. The cafe uses local produce and is reasonably priced.
The English Market is definitely worth exploring for the smells, the ambience, the sounds and not least the beauty of the building.
Tucked away on one of the streets running from the English Market is this church that has now been converted to a Visitor Centre and exhibition space.
Free to enter, St. Peter’s is the city’s oldest church, in part dating back to the 12th century.
The interior of this ancient building today though feels, in contrast modern, light and spacious.
Alongside temporary art exhibitions, the centre also provides an exhibit detailing parts of Cork’s rich and fascinating history.
If you are seeking more tourist information then make sure you speak to the helpful staff working here.
Before you leave, don’t miss (as I nearly did) the 17th century baptismal font tucked away next to the entrance!
If you are feeling the need for some art and culture, then the centrally located Crawford Art Gallery, with free entry, should be on your to do list..
A, ‘National Cultural Institution’, the building in which the gallery sits is said to be one of the most historic in Cork City.
Running over three floors and housing both permanent and temporary exhibitions, there is plenty to explore.
During my visit I also joined a free tour of the gallery which added extra insight and interest.
The temporary exhibition at the time was of ‘nude artwork’ by Irish artists and listening to the different ways the tour guide could find to describe, as he most commonly termed it, ‘the nude form’, was reason enough to be there!
Shandon Historic Quarter
On the northern side of the city and over the bridge lies the Shandon Quarter.
A steep climb takes you to this historic part of Cork which was the trading heart of the city in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This traditional pocket of the city packs in a lot of historical buildings, some of which are free to enter:
The only remaining sweet manufacturer in Cork, family run, friendly and welcoming to visitors!
- St. Mary’s Church -
A church dating from 1839 which is free to enter and admire the interior with it’s history and beauty.
One of Cork’s iconic landmarks, and located in the Shandon Quarter is St. Anne’s Church with the Shandon Bells and Tower.
Picture the impressive exterior before heading inside the church to fully appreciate it.
Visitors can climb the tower and ring the Shandon Bells but there is now a small charge for this.
Also located in the Shandon Quarter of Cork is the Butter Museum.
Cork was once the world’s largest butter market and the museum bares testimony to this.
An entry fee does apply here, so avoid if you are on a tight budget!
Heading back over the waterways to the southern side of the city you will find Elizabeth Fort. This star shaped fort dates back to the 17th century.
With free entry, you can climb around the walls of the fort and learn about its many uses over the centuries.
Spectacular panoramic views are to be had from the fort walls and it is worth a visit for this alone!
The fort does also offer a daily guided tour for a small charge.
A short stroll from Elizabeth Fort lies the most imposing building on the Cork landscape, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
Although the Cathedral is not free to enter, it is worth visiting the exterior and grounds.
Within the grounds there is also a labyrinth to spend free time enjoying!
Cork is a university city and the University College Cork was founded in 1845.
The university lies within some beautiful grounds, well worth exploring.
Taking in some of the breathtaking buildings around the university will not cost you more than your boot rubber!
If you do want to see and learn more about the buildings and history, guided tours are available from the visitor centre (at a cost).
Within the grounds of University College Cork is the Glucksman Gallery.
A modern building, the Glucksman was voted one of the 1001 buildings you must see before you die in 2007 (put that on your bucket list!).
The public gallery here has a changing programme and features both Irish and international artists.
They also house regular free concerts so worth checking their events guide during your visit to the city.
The entry is free, but with a suggested donation of 5 euros.
A very short distance from the University College Cork lies Fitzgerald’s Park.
If the weather is treating you kindly then this park is worth a visit, running adjacent to the River Lee.
The park has a range of plants and wildlife, alongside a fountain and pond. There is also a sculpture trail and plenty of green space for whatever your heart desires!
Within the park, you will find Cork Public Museum.
Here you can learn all about Cork’s history dating from 7,000 years ago to the present day!
Don’t miss the ancient hurling balls retrieved from Irish bogs, thought to be made of dung and horse-hair!
Free to enter, there is plenty to see and learn here.
I know there are more free to enter and worth visiting attractions in Cork and perhaps you will share any more you think are noteworthy in the comments below…
Cinema
Also, worth a mention is the cinema in Cork.
Within the city itself is a small cinema, The Gate Cinema, showing mainstream films and a range of special viewings.
Cheaper than cinema prices in the UK, for me, when it did rain, my feet were tired and my brain overloaded with Irish culture, this quirky cinema was a welcome retreat.
Cork on a Shoestring… I did it - can you?
Do you have any other hints and tips to share about about visiting Cork on a shoestring?
Please share them!
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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