La leyenda cuenta que a quien bese a la famosa piedra 'Blarney Stone' se le concederá el don de la elocuencia.
Situated in a quiet part of town, St Fin Barre's Cathedral is dedicated to the founder and patron saint of the city. Designed by Willliam Burges, the building was completed in 1878. It's an exuberant triple-spired edifice built in Gothic Revival style and decorated with stone tracery. Inside, the painted and gilded ceiling depicts Christ surrounded by angels. The stained glass windows below, tell the story of Christ's life. Hours change seasonally, so make sure to call ahead.
Past seamlessly merges with the present at the Blackrock Castle Observatory. Nestled on the banks of River Lee, the observatory is an erstwhile fortification, and this fact alone is a great attestation to its magnificent, castle-like visage. The building itself, a castle no less, dates back to the 16th Century, but what is inside is up-to-date with engineering mechanisms and technological innovations in the country. Upholding a deep sense of scientific research and the indelible motive of unearthing the secrets of the cosmos, the observatory stages an array of exhibitions, workshops and collaborations for students and teachers to better understand the intricacies of the Universe. Here is where astronomical artifacts and numerous exhibits about science jostle with hands-on activities and an interactive virtual astronaut for the visitor's attention. Topped by turrets and cloaked in a sturdy stone facade, this observatory is a glorious synergy of history and the sciences.
This famous religious landmark stands on the hilly slopes of the city, north of the River Lee. Built in 1722, the church has a facade made of limestone on two sides and of red sandstone on the other two. The steeple is topped by a weather vane in the shape of a salmon. The clock face is known locally as the "four-faced liar" because, until 1986 when it was repaired, each face showed a slightly different time. Visitors can climb the tower and for a small fee, ring the famous Bells of Shandon. Services take place at 10am on Sundays.
A short walk from the city center will take you up to the restored and atmospheric City Gaol, complete with furnished cells. Both the exhibition and multimedia display, trace the lives of individual inmates imprisoned here during the 19th and 20th centuries. Conditions were miserable: as one punishment, for example, prisoners were made to run on a human treadmill that was used to grind grain. There is also a cafe in the Gaol which employs a somewhat amusing gimmick: visitors are "free" to choose between sampling a Victorian prisoner's fare or the prison governor's menu. Which one would you choose? Hours change seasonally, so make sure to call ahead.
One of Cork's most famous attractions, the bells of St Ann's have been ringing for well over 200 years. Housed inside the glorious Church of St Anne, this troupe of eight bells were originally made famous through a song by Francis Sylvester Mahony, and have been a symbol of iconic resonance ever since. Having first rung in 1752, these bells are adorned with motley inscriptions and religious sayings. Chiming the melodies of songs like "Mull of Kintyre", "Molly Malone" and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina", the sheer magnificence of these echoing bells is felt and heard throughout Cork.
Kilbrittain is a village and small townland in Cork county. It has many historical buildings like the Kilbrittain Castle that dates back to 1305 CE. The Coolmain Castle was constructed in the 15th Century. The Howe Strand is a beautiful beach, popular with the tourists. Football and hurling are popular sports. The annual Kilbrittain Festival attracts many visitors.
Surviving the vagaries of time, Shandon is a historic suburb of Cork that still carries imprints of the events gone by. A walk through this area is sure to take you back in time. Filled with churches, museums and buildings like the Butter Exchange Complex and the Crawford Gallery. The tourist information offices provide brochures for self-guided walks through the area.
The Jameson Experience is within a beautifully restored 18th century self-contained industrial complex, unique in Britain and Ireland. There is a still, a fully operational water wheel and a copper pot of 32,000 gallons, the largest in the world. It's also possible to take a 90 minute tour of the center and in the process, discover the secret histories of the whiskey-making tradition. An audio-visual presentation (available in six languages) will take you through the history and processes involved in the making of local whiskeys. At the end of the tour, you are invited to try some of Ireland's finest whiskey, in a traditional Irish pub.
Spike Island rests in the Irish Cork Harbour. The island covers an area of 103 acres (41.6 hectares). Visitors seek the island for a tour around the historic Fort Mitchel. The fort dates back to the 18th century and has more recently been used as a prison. Another piece of history belongs to that of Archdall's Moanasticon Hibernicum. The island provides for scenic walks and picturesque picnics. The ferry trip from Cork and the food and shopping centers make for a lovely family holiday option.
La leyenda cuenta que a quien bese a la famosa piedra 'Blarney Stone' se le concederá el don de la elocuencia.
Charles Fort is a 17th-century relic of Kinsale. Built at the commission of King Charles II, the fortress served defense purposes as a military fort. Designed by William Robinson, the star-shaped citadel has witnessed several momentous events of the country’s history, which include the Williamite War of 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Take a guided tour of the fortress to learn about the rich history of the country through the lens of the magnificent Charles Fort.