Student Ambassador Le Quan Hoang shares his favourite day trip destinations from Cork City! From the historic Titanic town of Cobh to the charming streets of Kinsale, Le Quan offers some great suggestions for those looking to explore beyond the city.
FIVE IDEAL PLACES FOR A ONE-DAY TRIP FROM CORK CITY
If you love to travel and want to find places to visit around Cork, this list might be helpful to you.
“Xin chào”, “Dia duit!” My name is Le Quan Hoang. As an awardee of the Ireland Fellows Programme for the academic year 2023/24, I am pursuing an LLM degree in Business Law at University College Cork. Although I have only been living in Cork for a few months, I have already fallen in love with the city. The great thing about Cork is not just its beautiful streets and rich Irish culture and history, but also its close proximity to other towns in the county. From Cork city centre, you can easily visit other lovely towns and return within a day. So, if you plan to spend a day outside Cork city centre, here are some suggestions for your consideration.
Cobh
Cobh is a charming seaside town in East Cork, famously known as the last port of call for the Titanic. I visited Cobh on a sunny day, and the view was stunning. The vibrant colours of the Deck of Cards harmonised beautifully with the blue sky, white clouds, and honey-yellow sunlight on the grey roads. There are many attractions and activities in Cobh that you can enjoy, such as visiting St. Colman’s Cathedral or learning about the town’s history at Titanic Experience Cobh.
The most convenient way to travel is by train. There are daily 30-minute trains from Kent Station (Cork) to Cobh.
Kinsale
I am truly fond of this lively and colourful town. Kinsale is about 25 kilometres south of Cork city and is well-known as Ireland’s “food capital” because it boasts numerous restaurants offering delicious and affordable food, including Michelin-starred establishments. A day trip to Kinsale wouldn’t be complete without a walk to Charles Fort and the Old Head of Kinsale. You might also want to visit Desmond Castle and the Kinsale Museum.
From Cork city centre, you can take bus 226 to Kinsale, and the journey takes around one hour each way.
Blarney Castle and Gardens
Just 6 kilometres from the city centre, Blarney Castle is one of the most visited places in Ireland, according to Gardens of Ireland. One of the most exciting experiences here is walking to the top of Blarney Castle and kissing the Blarney Stone, which is believed to bestow the gift of eloquence. You’ll likely see a long queue of people waiting to kiss the famous stone. Apart from that, you can enjoy the beauty of nature by walking through the forest and listening to the sound of the wind.
It takes approximately 50 minutes from the centre to Blarney Castle by bus 215.
Clonakilty
To me, Clonakilty offers a relaxed atmosphere with warm food and lovely shops in the town centre. If you visit Clonakilty in the summer, you can take a ferry to numerous islands in West Cork, such as Sherkin or Garnish Islands. Alternatively, you might enjoy visiting the Model Railway Village or the nearby Inchydoney Beach.
You can reach Clonakilty by bus 237 or buses operated by West Cork Connect.
Fountainstown Beach and Crosshaven
If you enjoy swimming, Fountainstown Beach might be the ideal place. Many locals swim there, even in winter, and there is a nearby swimming club. Bus 220X will take you there in about an hour. The sound of the waves and the salty scent of the sea breeze will certainly help you relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. On the way back to the city, you can stop by Crosshaven, a small village located in lower Cork Harbour, to savour some fresh seafood and pastries from local restaurants and cafés.
Final Tips: All tickets for attractions offer special discounts for students, so remember to bring your Student ID Card to enjoy the benefits. I hope you have a wonderful time discovering the beautiful sights of Cork.
Le Quan Hoang is studying LLM in Business Law at UCC via Education in Ireland