Cork City is home to around 123,000 people and compact enough to
cover on foot. It’s the European Capital of Culture for 2005,
so fitness instructors, Ciaran and David, took the hour long flight
from Belfast City Airport to see what all the fuss is about.
The boys chose to stay in one of Cork’s swish new hotels.
Open since February 2005, the Clarion is located in the heart of
the City. The hotel bar overlooks the River Lee. If you want to
chill out, or set your heart racing, the hotel Spa has an 18 metre
heated swimming pool and a fully equipped gym.
Ciaran and David opted to start their 24 hours in Cork with a Bus
Tour. It costs £8 and lasts just over an hour. You get to
take in all the key sites and it’s a great way to get your
bearings and to find out a bit more about the history and background
of the city.
Next stop for the boys is Cork City Gaol. Once home to thousands
of convicts destined to be transported to Australia. It is now one
of the city’s key visitor attractions. The boys checked in
for a guided tour, which takes about an hour.
Cork has a vibrant nightlife. A cosmopolitan mix of restaurants
and café bars, traditional Irish pubs, nightclubs, theatres
and comedy stores.
Ciaran and David decide to start off in The Long Valley Bar a famous
Cork pub. The bar opened in 1842 and has been owned and run by the
Moynihan family since 1922. So, it’s something of an institution.
Infact, two legendary brewing giants call Cork home - Beamish and
Murphy’s.
On day two of their whirlwind tour of Cork, Ciaran and David decided
to head to one of the city’s famous landmarks. The English
Market has existed on this site since 1788. And it’s still
going strong. Originally, only English Settlers were allowed to
trade here, hence the name. Nowadays, the market has both a strong
traditional element, as well as a vibrant ethnic flavour. You’ll
find a wide variety of produce, including locally caught fish.
The boy’s final destination is one of Cork’s most famous.
The Shandon Bells are located in St. Anne’s Church in the
Shandon area of the city. Built in 1720, Corkonians call it the
“four faced liar”. Two sides of the tower are made of
limestone and two from red sandstone. In days gone by, none of the
four clocks told the same time. But, they do today. Visitors are
welcome to come along and ring the bells. Which is just what the
boys chose to do.
A return flight from Belfast City Airport to Cork costs from £80
per person. Flights don’t operate on Saturdays or Sundays.
A weekend break at the Clarion Hotel costs from £91 per room
per night based on two sharing and including breakfast.
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