Carolyn

Just curious - Many people on this site and others warn you away from Co Cork or Cork City specificly - Why?

kath

I can only speak for myself, but I disliked the city of cork because it seemed rather dirty compared to other cities in Ireland. And the traffic was terrible, the streets are hard the find - lots of oneways, and poor signage making it hard for non-natives to find their way. Also, the lovely friendly hospitality of the rest of Ireland seemed to be lacking.<BR>However, Cobh has some attractions worth visiting...and West Cork is great - I loved Kinsale, and the drive around to Mizen Head is well worth the trip! And Blarney Castle, that perenniel favorite is also in county cork. For me, there are lots of wonderful sites and experiences in County Cork, but I'll pass on ever visiting Cork City again!

bill

Carolyn<BR><BR>I have never spent time in Cork city but my understanding is that it is very difficult to get around. I did get lost while trying to get through it many years ago and was in a terrible traffic jam on the outskirts last year. I just don't know that much about the city. What I have learned is that most Irish towns and cities can be enjoyed, but that you may need to know many a secret about them to do so. Even Killarney has some fine non-touristy spots (so I'm told). I haven't a clue where they are. The main drag is very touristy.<BR><BR>As far as Co. Cork, I don't think I've ever read bad reviews on the county as a whole. Yes, waiting in line to kiss the Blarney stone is pretty foolish (watch out for those posts on how kissing it will give you AIDS, Herpes, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, warts, polio, typhoid, gout and every other conceivable disease). Outside of that, Co Cork is beautiful, with the Mizen, Sheepshead and at least part of the Beara Peninsula. The drive between Glengarriff and Kenmare is spectacular. I could go on and on about the wonders of Cork, but that's for another day. <BR><BR>I would like to hear more opinions on Cork City. I'm not much of a city guy, but I might wander in there someday if there is convincing evidence that it would be fun.<BR><BR>Bill

Krista

As much as it rains in Ireland it is very hard for the Blarney Stone NOT To get throughly washed often. I hated Cork. By the time my husband and I actually found out way out we had to desire to stop and look at anything. The people were rude and grumpy too. Loved Blarney though.

Meg

Well, I loved Cork. We drove in, had no problems, found a great B&amp;B, parked and walked EVERYWHERE. The people were friendly and charming, the shopping was great, restaurants interesting and the pubs, well the pubs were a blast. I didn't know people &quot;didn't like Cork&quot;.<BR><BR>It was December. Maybe they get grumpy from all the crowds in the summer.

Erlsegaard

I rather liked it. I went there first thing after arriving at Shannon, and thought the center area around the river and so on very genuine and the quays at least attractive. One certainly felt he was in Ireland. Perhaps there are better places to do that, but everyone has his own idea. I suppose it does bear some resemblance to the &quot;Dirty Old Town&quot; and passing-on-the-floor-of-the-pub family of songs and literature, but that stream of culture does hold a certain charm for some people too. I didn't notice anyone being unpleasant; didn't notice anyone being superfriendly either, but didn't really expect it. I remember a particularly good-looking girl who worked in a fish-and-chip shop. I took the Eireann bus into town, so I can't comment on the difficulty of getting around. No outstanding sights per se that I remember, though in '96 at least it had the merit of seeming to be a pretty genuine old-style city, the center and its business establishments very much inhabited by people who actually live in the neighborhood (and aren't multi-millionaires) which is often referred to on this site as a desirable but elusive quality. I suppose it doesn't come off as particularly refined to tourists who are looking for that sort of thing. I don't think it is.

Lillie Harty

Cork is an old town that has lost much of its traditional industry like car manufacturing.Henry Ford whose grandfather was from County Cork set up his first European plant there.It has however a fine university-one of the math professors there (Boole) invented the binary system about a hundred years before they started to use it in computers.The city has a lot of modern industry now including Apple Computers and they also make Viagra and a lot of other pharmaceuticals there.It is then largely an industrial town.It is very confusing to drive through it as the river Lee divides in two in the city and people are suprised to come across the river only a few hundred yards from where they just crossed it already.<BR>The city is well -known for its restaurants and the best known one is probably Ballymaloe House a short drive from the city.In the suburb of Cobh is an emigrant cente which is quite interesting-this was the big port for those going to North America.Blarney Castle is also nearby.

Dave

I also liked Cork, but then I wasn't trying to drive. I walked around the town center, the market, and up the hill (along the road to Blarney) to an interesting neighborhood with great views. Nothing spectacular, but interesting.

sam

I wasn't aware that people didn't like Cork. I adore the County and the City. The people are extremely friendly, the countryside is gorgeous, there are great places to eat, some decent clubs, excellent chippers for late night snacking and the Cork accent is absolutely delightful. <BR><BR>Blarney, Kinsale, Clonakilty - what more can you ask for??

Carolyn

Thanks for all of the replys - I am glad to hear that some people like Cork &amp; Cork City. We have decided to spend part of our time there (5 nites) as a base to visit the area &amp; see the City also. We many times go aganst the &quot;norm&quot; of what people do &amp; usually find out that it was perfect for us!

bill

I'm not sure I would spend five nights in Cork City. There is a lot to see in Co Cork and you would probably be better off staying outside the city most of the time. Traffic congestion can be pretty bad getting in and out of the city, especially at rush hour. There are lots of small towns in Co Cork that would be great to stay in, Kinsale is one of the most popular. That said, it sometimes gets a bad rap for being touristy, but it's not bad and the restaurants are great. Bantry would be another nice choice right on the Cork/Kerry border. If you must stay very near Cork and you plan to do a fair amount of touring outside the city. I would consider staying somewhere in the outskirts. You might want to ask Michele at irelandyes.com for some advice on where to stay in the area.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR><BR>Bill

Herb Roycroft

Cork has its share of famous residents.Roy Disney,nephew of Walt,spends 3 or 4 months at his Irish home in County Cork every year.Jeremy Irons owns a small castle on the coast there.

kam

There is a ferry which you can use to bypass Cork City (which I will always do, having been too many times in Cork City) Kinsale is lovely but tends to be expensive. There is a Paddy's distillery tour in Middleton in West Cork and Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry is just about a perfect place to spend a few days. Cork City is dreary and depressing.

Mike

We drove thru Cork on our way to Kinsale. It was about rush hour, we could smell the stinch from the Brewery, and we just had an uncomfortable feeling about the city -- never went back.

Carolyn

To further update my responses, We do not intend on driving a car during our trip (too stressfull for this time) &amp; will be using public transit (bus &amp; Trains and bus tours) for our daily trips out from the city. For the one who stated about the stench of the brewery - you have not been around my town in the summer!!! (We have a tallow works plant outside the city limits - the smell from there would knock your socks off) It is better, due to Ca. state regulations but it still can be nauseaous at times.

Thyra

I liked Cork so much that I went back for seconds... the first time I was there for a Jazz festival.back in the 80s. There was a lot of fun to be had, and great pubs, lots of music and the place was packed. Then two years ago my husband and I drove there to spend St. Pat's day there. Despite dire warnings from our friends in Dublin (native Dubliners) that Cork people were considered 'Mad&quot; by comparison. We just loved it.. (our B &amp; B proprietress was a bit eccentric, but I wouldn't say &quot;mad&quot; exactly&quot. We watched the St. Pat's parade, went to a very friendly pub, watched horse races.. spent several days walking around.. my husband even started drinking Beamish. it was really great.. yep, a little edgy and had more of a &quot;port&quot; town feeling, but it was downright homey, to my Los Angeles eyes.

Gayle

We got lost in Cork--just trying to drive through on our way to Kinsale. Everyone we've talked to got lost in Cork! I can't imagine spending 5 nights there (or in Kinsale). Don't get me wrong, I loved Ireland. I second the comment on the beauty of the drive from Glengariff to Kenmare. We stayed at Sheen Falls near Kenmare. Expensive but lovely. There are smaller cheaper places in Kenmare too. If you're just looking for a place to stay near Blarney, try Longueville House near Mallow. Great food and decor.

mary

Well, I live in Cork and I know it pretty well- even though I am originally a Dubliner. So, to defend it: the people are great here, much, much, more friendly and genuine than Dubliners (I've really noticed the difference between Cork people and Dublin in my 8 years here. Dublin people have become rather off-hand, pretentious, greedy etc). There's lots of character in Cork city, but it isn't as impressive in terms of architecture, literary/cultural history as Dublin (after all, it was not the Capital!).<BR>There's a lovely art gallery called the Crawford, as well as a Huguenot quarter, 2 beautiful cathedrals and a nice Market which has great atmosphere. There's also a lot of good restaurants (e.g Jacobs; Jacques; Fenns Quay).<BR>It isn't a touristy city- so maybe that 's why one poster felt the people weren't friendly. They aren't trying to sell you something, unlike the natives of (dreadful, dreadful, tourist trap) Blarney.<BR>On the downside: at the moment Cork is undergoing huge roadworks everywhere. I get up early in the morning so that when I drive through Cork city (i live in wonderful Cobh) I avoid the roadworks. In general I avoid driving in the city- it IS very confusing , lots of one-ways streets, poor signposting etc. So, if you're a tourist, I would leave the car behind. It's small city and very easy to get around on foot. I have to be honest, I don't think I would stay 5 nights in Cork city- I would head West to Schull, Goleen, Mizen and maybe to Kerry (Kenmare).<BR>Anyway, Cork may have its traffic problems but the people are great..