From the UK to Ireland is just a short flight — and with cheap tickets available, I couldn’t resist hopping over! This time, I headed to Cork, the second-largest city in Ireland. It’s a place full of culture, history, and creativity. Locals often call it the “real Ireland” because it still holds onto many authentic traditions, and the people are some of the friendliest I’ve met.
Fun fact: Cork has two official languages — Irish (Gaeilge) and English. You’ll even spot bilingual signs around the city!
Warm Welcome & A Gymnastics Show
After landing, a friend was already waiting at the airport to greet us. We stayed at her friend’s house, which was unoccupied at the time — so we were lucky to have a place to stay for a few nights.
That first night, our host cooked us dinner. She has three children, and the eldest, a 6-year-old girl, asked if we’d like to come watch her gymnastics performance the next morning. I’d never seen a live gymnastics event before, so of course I said yes!
Lunch at Marina Market 🥙
After the show, we headed to Marina Market for lunch. I ordered a BBQ meat sandwich — tasty, but not cheap at €10. Marina Market is one of Cork’s most vibrant spots, located in a converted warehouse just 15–20 minutes’ walk from the city centre.
This buzzing market has over 35 permanent food stalls offering dishes from around the world — Korean fried chicken, Lebanese wraps, Brazilian plates, Italian pizza, and vegan options too. Besides food, there are also coffee stands, dessert spots, and artisan shops selling crafts and lifestyle items.
Strolling Around Cork City
After lunch, I wandered into the city centre. Cork’s downtown is lively and full of personality, with a mix of historic buildings and modern stores. The main shopping streets — St. Patrick’s Street (locals call it “Pana”) and Grand Parade — are packed with cafés, restaurants, and shops.
One of my favourite ways to experience a city is through its local markets — they always reveal something unique about the place. In Cork, that definitely held true. As someone from Asia, I saw so many unfamiliar things, which made the experience even more fascinating.
As I was walking around, I noticed a Ferris wheel on Grand Parade. It instantly caught my attention (I’ve always loved funfair rides). But to be honest, compared to the London Eye, this one was on a much smaller scale — so I didn’t go for a ride this time.
Visiting Father Mathew Memorial Church
Since we were staying downtown, everything was within walking distance. While exploring the city the next day, I spotted a striking church across the street — Holy Trinity Church, also known as Father Mathew Memorial Church.
This impressive Roman Catholic church stands along Father Mathew Quay and was built in honour of Theobald Mathew, a 19th-century priest known for his work in the temperance movement. Inside, the stained glass windows were stunning, and the building itself had a real sense of history and solemn beauty.
The church was designed by George Richard Pain, who also worked on Cork’s courthouse and Blackrock Castle. Construction began in 1832 but was delayed by economic hardship and the Irish famine. It was finally completed in 1890 — exactly 100 years after Father Mathew’s birth.
Cork Educate Together National School
Kids’ activities never stop! That afternoon, we tagged along to a charity fair at our host’s daughter’s school — Cork Educate Together National School (CETNS).
This school promotes equality, inclusion, and child-centred learning. It was founded by a group of parents in 1987 and is now part of the Educate Together network.
From what I saw, Irish education seems pretty impressive. The children were polite, and the teachers treated everyone with such kindness and patience.
St Anne’s Church – Shandon Bells
Later that day, we made our way to St. Anne’s Church in the Shandon area — a church that’s more than 300 years old and one of Cork’s most iconic landmarks. Unfortunately, we arrived around 5 p.m. and the church was already closed, so I could only admire it from the outside.
The church is famous for its red and white exterior and its bell tower, which features a golden fish-shaped weather vane (a symbol of Christianity and the salmon of the River Lee). Locals jokingly call its clock the “Four-Faced Liar” because the faces often show different times depending on where you look.
Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne – North Cathedral
A short walk from Shandon Bells brought us to another impressive site — Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, or just “North Cathedral” as locals call it.
It’s the seat of the Diocese of Cork and Ross and one of the city’s most important Catholic churches. Built in 1799 and rebuilt after a fire in 1820, it’s taller than nearby St. Anne’s Church and equally rich in history.
Over the years, it’s gone through several renovations, including a major restoration in the 1990s. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful and dignified — a perfect place to take a quiet moment during your visit.
Butter Exchange – A Taste of Cork’s Past 🧈
Before heading home, we stopped by the historic Butter Exchange in the Shandon district. Between 1770 and 1924, this was the largest butter market in the world. Farmers from all over Munster would bring their butter here in wooden barrels called “firkins” to be weighed, graded, and sold.
At its peak, up to 3,000 firkins were tested per day. Cork’s butter was exported around the world — from the Caribbean to Australia — and even supplied to the British Royal Navy.
Today, part of the building is home to the Cork Butter Museum, where you can learn all about traditional butter-making and Cork’s rise as a global dairy hub.
Wrapping Up ☘️
After a few packed days, it was time to head back and prepare for my next destination — Spain!
This trip to Cork was short and a little busy, especially with family activities in the mix, but I still got a great taste of what this beautiful city has to offer. Next time, I’d love to visit Dublin and explore even more of Ireland.
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to like, share, or drop a comment.
Slán go fóill! (That’s “goodbye for now” in Irish!)
Real Traveler, Real Experiences, Real Results. 
Leave a comment