Is Cork on your Irish bucket list? It should be!

In the spirit of Paddy-not-Patty’s Day (he was neither woman nor burger), we asked the Jack's Community for spots in Ireland that’d turn someone green with envy should they be missed. 

Naturally, the big hitters like Dingle, Dublin, and Cobh all made the list, but growing up on this whimsical, windswept little isle, I’ve learned that there’s actually a lot of ground to cover. And honestly, my biggest tip? If you’ve come to Ireland for its rolling hills, craggy castles, and Celtic traditions, you’ve got to get out of Dublin!

It’d be remiss of me to not tell you what my county of Cork (and the city of the same name) has to offer. Honestly, there's no greater backyard when the sun peeks out. Kerry's a close second, but don't utter that in a pub packed with Corkmen…

With historic streets steeped in tales of rebellion dating all the way back to Viking settlers, there's a reason why we call Cork the "Rebel county." 

It's the birthplace of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins, and that spirit of defiance remains an integral part of its identity, which you’ll no doubt notice on your visit.

Perhaps it's this same rebellious spirit that explains why our town's famous landmark, the  "Four-Faced Liar" refuses to conform too—a nickname it earned because no two of its faces ever seem to show the same time. 

Today, Cork proudly aligns itself with causes supporting oppressed people, showing solidarity with Palestine by hosting powerful protests, visits, and exhibitions, even among our Paddy’s Day parades. 

Revolutionary Irish leaders, Cillian Murphy, and butter—we've given the world a lot! Yes, really; we were once the world’s largest exporter of butter (there’s even a museum; no, I’ve never been). 

From artsy markets to fine dining, we're formally known as the foodie capital of Ireland, with heaps of gourmet festivals and heritage trails throughout the year. 

The best include Cork on a Fork in August, a citywide celebration of over 100 different events, including cooking demos, food trails, brewery tours, and pop-up experiences from some of the island’s most revered chefs. 

Speaking of chefs, one place I'd highly recommend is the Japanese takeaway Miyazaki. It's run by a Michelin-star chef, Takashi Miyazaki, who uses the finest of Irish ingredients to bring you a treasure box of Japanese food. Netflixers may recognize this one from the Ireland episode of Somebody Feed Phil.

Another local favorite includes Izz Cafe, a Palestinian restaurant named one of Ireland's best restaurants, and some of the yummiest Musakhan I've ever tried.  

Sometimes, though, you just can't beat a traditional Sunday roast. We're fiercely loyal when it comes to the spud, but some notable ones worth sharing are The Elm Tree and Murphy's Rock, according to this YouTuber.

Naturally, you’ll want to bring a taste of Cork home, too; the English Market is where you’ll likely want to head. Since 1788, this indoor Victorian market has been home to family-run stalls selling the freshest food from farms across the country. Specialty mushrooms, meat, and cheeses—you can find it all. 

CC image courtesy of Allain Rouiller on Flickr

Rain or shine, festivals are plentiful too; we’re home to Ireland's biggest city-wide festival, the Guinness Jazz Festival.  Some of jazz's biggest names have stopped by the festival to play us a tune over the years, including Ella Fitzgerald, Morcheeba, Macy Gray and Gregory Porter, just to name a few. 

There are performances, pop-up workshops, and parties around the clock all over the city. Seriously, from intimate pubs to grand concert halls, no corner remains untouched by the saxy melodies and flowing pints of Guinness. Remember to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible, though; places fill up quickly!

We've got more pubs than people here, and you can't go wrong with any of the historical watering holes along the Heritage Trail. Think cozy pubs with roaring fireplaces, locals that'll chat your ear off, and trad sessions that feel more like a family gathering than a performance.

The Corner House, Annie Macs, Sin E, Tom Barry's, Mr. Bradley's. The choices in the city are endless, so much so that someone even made a spreadsheet. But before you go ordering a pint of the black stuff, Guinness isn’t the only game in town. Stouts here have subtle rivalries, and when in Cork, try a Beamish!

However, if you’re a whiskey buff, we’ll probably find you sampling the world’s best at Jameson’s Distillery, just outside the city.  

While tour buses loop endlessly around the well-trodden paths of the Ring of Kerry, Cobh, and Kinsale, many of them bypass the untamed beauty of West Cork, and that, my friend, is a crying shame. 

Out your window, wild, windswept peninsulas dotted with crumbled ruins and hidden coves —every turn reveals a shade of green more vivid than the last. And in my opinion, this is where the county truly comes to life. 

Renting a car is by far the easiest way to get around, but you can still cover a decent chunk of ground by using West Cork Connect's bus service.

A local legend, the buzzy seaside town of Clonakilty is famous for birthing Michael Collins and, let's be honest, probably the best black pudding you'll ever have. It’s well worth basing yourself here to delve into the town’s beaches, surf schools, and, you guessed it, pubs—there's no better place for music lovers than Clon, as it’s affectionately known.

De Barra’s Folk Club is world-famous, receiving a Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2025 accolade as one of the top music venues in the world. Come in September, and you’ll find the town’s corners jam-packed with guitarists from across the globe. 

Skibbereen, another foodie-obsessed market town, also makes an excellent base and has just as lively a social calendar and tight-knit, friendly community. 

Peel yourself away from the fireside chatter in one of its many cozy pubs, and you're within minutes of whale watching excursions, and night-time bioluminescent kayaking trips on Loch Hyne.

If you can handle a breeze, I’d recommend ferry hopping to the Irish-speaking island of Cape Clear for a night of camping under the stars or visiting artsy Sherkin Island. 

Some of my favorite picturesque road trip stops in this area are Allihies, where colorful cottages meet the Atlantic. This town is known for its 19th-century copper-mining heritage. 

Another shout is the town-turned artist hotspot, Ballydehob. Spend a night here before venturing off to Ireland’s most southwesterly point, Mizen Head, for some of the most spectacular coastal views on this side of the Atlantic. 

P.S. Levi's Pub is somewhat of an institution here; expect quirky gigs that have been known to end in a broom closet. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

We’re pretty well connected, so getting here by public transport won’t be an issue.

From Dublin

You’ve got two options: take the Aircoach right outside the airport straight to Cork in 3.5 hours, or hop on a train from Dublin’s Heuston Station, and you’ll reach the city in about 2.5 hours.

From Shannon

If you’re flying into Shannon, the best way to reach Cork by public transport is the direct Bus Éireann/Expressway Route 51 that leaves from right outside the airport.