Hotels in Cork

If you’d like to experience the city at its busiest - and some would say at its best - visit Cork during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March. The weather is mild for most of the year, and the summers are warm. Temperatures dip in the winter months, which makes this a great time to wrap up warm and visit the sights, indulging yourself at a cosy pub or café along the way.

Discover the historic side of Cork from hotels in Shandon. This hilly area is sprinkled with colourful houses and you can visit the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne to admire its Gothic-revival style. It’s two minutes on foot to the Shandon Bells, which visitors can have a go at ringing themselves (bear in mind they do weigh six tons). Cork Butter Museum is a minute away; go here to learn more about the importance of the butter trade in Ireland.When you’re on a family holiday, hotels in Cork are good starting point for getting to kid friendly destinations. Take the gang to the Blarney Stone, about a 17-minute drive away, to kiss the stone and gain the gift of eloquence. Just over 20 minutes by car from the City Centre, Fota Wildlife Park is 100 acres of animals and plants. Get up close with lions, giraffes, rhinos and monkeys here.Go for hotels in the Grand Parade if you’re a couple on holiday looking to take in everything Cork encompasses. Head to Hop Island Equestrian Centre for a spot of horse riding or take in the area’s past at the National Monument and St Augustine’s Church. Crawford Art Gallery is a good stopping-off point to see work by historic and contemporary artists, from Roman or Greek sculptures to video installations. At night, you can hop from cosy bar to live music pubs before joining a Cork Ghost Tour – if you’re feeling brave enough.