There's more to Cork than the road from Blarney to Killarney
What to see and do in Cork
I'm from Dublin. We have a friendly rivalry with Cork, the rebel county who claim to be the Real Capital, but one day, I'm might be a Cork resident. I love it that much.
Cork has beauty, the mountains, the peninsulas, the islands, the music, the food, but without the tour buses.
Go Beyond Blarney
Cork is Ireland's biggest county but everyone just goes to Blarney & Kinsale.
80% of visitors follow the crowded trail from Dublin → Blarney → Kinsale→Killarney → The Cliffs→ The Airport.
They miss the real Cork. So come to Cork, but visit Youghal, Roscarberry, Clonakility, Skibereen, Ballydehob, Schull, Kilcrohane, Crookhaven.
You haven't heard of them right? That's exactly why you should go there. It's where we go, Irish people, we know about them. You'll find us there rather than the touristy towns that you have heard about.
The small towns of Cork have more locals than tourists (unlike Dingle & Doolin) and they're delighted when they do meet tourists who took the road less travelled.
Cork is Where I Go On My Own Holidays
5 Days in West Cork: The Ireland Visitors Miss
Read about my time in Cork here.
The Popular Places
What To Do in Cork City: A One Day Itinerary
Cork City is vibrant in a way Dublin isn't. Smaller, grittier, more real. National Geographic just named it one of 25 places to visit in 2025.
What To Do in Kinsale: A Foodie Coastal Village in Cork
Colorful. Food capital of Ireland. Fish straight off the pier. A bit touristy these days, but that's OK sometimes.
What To Do in Cobh: Cork's Port Town of Saints & Sinners
Titanic, prison, singing donkeys. Gorgeous to walk around.
Cork's Scenic Drives
This is where Cork shines. Three spectacular peninsulas, none of them crowded.
The Beara Peninsula: My Favourite Drive in the Southwest
Wild, narrow roads. No tour buses. As spectacular as the Ring of Kerry but half the tourists. This is one of my favorite drive in all of Ireland.
The Mizen Head Peninsula: Many Skip It. You Shouldn't
Tiny villages, beaches, cliffs to rival the famous ones, three castles and waterside cafes. Idyllic.
Sheep's Head Loop Cork: Ireland's Emptiest Scenic Drive
Jagged, remote, pure. One of three peninsulas vying to be the most westerly point in Europe. This one feels like the edge of the world.
Cork's Top Hotels
Maryborough Hotel & Spa
A boutique hotel in an old Georgian manor just outside Cork City, set on 300 acres with a spa to rest after all the travel.
Dunmore House Hotel
Overlooking the fabulous Inchdoney surfing beach, walk among the gardens where they grow the restaurant's food. Feel your pulse slow down during your relaxing stay here.
Trident Hotel Kinsale
Maybe Kinsale's best hotel with harbour front rooms overlooking the water. Walk to everywhere in Kinsale from the Trident. A beautiful hotel in a beautiful town.
The Castle
This might be the best hotel in Ireland, not just Cork. A small castle on a harbour in a one street village that has one pub? Book immediately!
Towns Worth a Stop
What To Do in Bantry: West Cork's Market Town
Pure Cork. Real working town, not a tourist town. You get a true feeling for what it might be like to live here.
What To See in Baltimore & The Islands of West Cork
A pirate-ravaged, festival-filled, island-hopping gateway. More sailing than driving. The beauty of remoteness.
What To Do Around Clonakilty. The Big Man & Big Surf
Home of black pudding, Micheal Collins, De Barra's music, a beautiful surfing beach and a genuine small town feel.
Taste Your Way Through East Cork: Ballymaloe, Midleton & Fresh Farm Food
Ballymaloe for food, Midleton for whiskey, ghost ships, lighthouses and scenic walks.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you're torn between regions or want a custom itinerary for your specific trip, book a planning call. I'll map out your Cork perfectly, including the drives you won't find on Google.
Ireland by Locals
