food tours in cork ireland

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Cork Culinary Tour

• +353877068391
• www.bonner-travel.com/itinerary/cork-culinary-tour
• [email protected]

Join us on this foodie walking tour through Cork's quirky alleys and streets. Stop for pre-booked tastings of delectable pies, award-winning cheese, gourmet sausages, a cornucopia of seafood, handmade chocolates, frothy pints and tons of local craic!

The tour takes approx. 3 hours, under the auspices of a local, knowledgeable guide.

-Minimum 4-person for each tour - €110/pp

-Tours begin at 11:00 am and finish at 2:00 pm

-We run afternoon tours starting at 2.30 pm

-The tours run every day except Sundays

-If you have less than 4 in your party, please let us know as we may have a tour you can join

• 8.2 km from Cork Airport
•   0.267 m from Cork City centre

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THE BEST Cork Food Tours

Food tours in cork.

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1. Cork Culinary Tour

2. Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour

3. Meet and Eat Dublin: Cork Food Walking Tour

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Discover Cork, the city of a thousand welcomes with the Cork Culinary Tour. Join their experienced local guides as they share their passion and knowledge of their beloved city.

The Cork Culinary Tour is designed to bring people together, with a mission to deepen human connections through storytelling, Irish culture, food and drink. The tour wanders through Cork City's famous food and beverage market, the English Market, in operation since the 18th century. Here guests get to meet and chat with local traders for a bit of 'craic', which is the Irish word for fun.

The Cork Culinary Tour takes in the very best the city has to offer. With prebooked tastings of local award winning cheese, mouthwatering seafood fresh from the Atlantic, handmade Irish bread, and gourmet country sausages, and more, which are then all washed down with a creamy pint.

The tour finishes in a relaxed gastro pub where guests can enjoy a sharing platter and a local beverage of choice.

Tours typically last three hours and begin at the Tourist Information Centre on Patrick Street, where you will meet your local, knowledgeable guide. Private tours are available upon request.

The Cork Culinary Tour begins with a moderate stroll through quirky streets and alleys to the first venue for a welcome Irish coffee, in one of Cork’s heritage pubs. After getting to know each other a little better, the food tasting part of the tour begins. Wandering through the English Market, meet with local traders who proudly display their produce for tasting.

The tour requires a minimum of two participants but joining a tour is possible for solo travellers. The Cork Culinary Tour is not suitable for vegan or other guests with dietary restrictions, nor would it be suitable for guests with any kind of mobility issues.

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cork Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

Are you on your way to Cork and want to make sure that you discover the best places to eat there? One way to make sure that you taste the best that Cork has to offer is to take part in secret food tours.

A knowledgeable guide leads the walking tour and knows exactly where the locals go to have a tasty meal. You can be assured that your guide will not take you to the typical places where the tourists always go. Instead, you will know the delicacies that the artisans in the area are creating for everyone, but you will definitely find your way to the Irish pub that you have heard so much about in America.

Your guide will also come in handy when you have questions about the local architecture and culture. As you are walking to the farmers’ markets and other retailers, you will be welcome to taste samples along the way.

Book food tours Cork to have the most enjoyable trip possible!

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Food Tours in Ireland: 10 Cities and Regions to Find Them

• Post author: colette
• Post published: July 27, 2023
• Post category: Food in Ireland
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Ireland isn’t the obvious vacation destination for foodies. However, the culinary choices have been expanding in recent years thanks to inventive local chefs and a reliance on getting fresh ingredients from both the land and the sea.

Some of the staples of the Irish diet include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, Irish soda bread, coddle and colcannon.

Today’s Irish chefs are taking these dishes a step further, with much of that reflected in the food tours that you see below.

Most of the food tours in Ireland listed in this blog post (except for the private yacht experience off the Kinsale coast and the two-night stay in Waterford) range in price from €55/$60 US/£47 Sterling/$80 CAD/$90 AUD to around €120/$132 US/£102 Sterling/$175 CAD/$196 AUD per person.

Not all food tours listed here are suitable for everyone, so it’s best to ask beforehand if you have specific dietary needs.

Table of Contents

While Belfast is technically part of the United Kingdom, it’s easy to cross the seamless border that exists between Northern Ireland and the Republic either by car or public transportation .

There are several food tours to experience in Belfast, once known as the industrial powerhouse of Northern Ireland and famously associated with The Titanic .

The Belfast Food Tour

This four-hour guided food tour through the city center includes some of its top food and drinking spots.

The tour begins in the historic St. George’s Market, where you can expect to meet local food producers and then taste some of their delicious products.

The 5 Stop Brunch Tour

This is another Belfast culinary tour favorite that includes three hours of grazing in the city’s best quirky cafes, restaurants, and bars. Also includes cocktails.

Crafty Beer and Street Eats

A 3-hour walking tour of Belfast’s best beer bars and street food venues.

More information on the above tours can be found on the Taste & Tour website .

Belfast Food Tours – Secret Food Tours

This 3 to 3 ½-hour excursion starts in front of Belfast City Hall and takes you to a number of eateries in the city, where you’ll dine on a freshly baked breakfast with locals and later enjoy some classic Northern Ireland dishes.

The Cork Tasting Trail

Experience the city’s traditional food and drink establishments on this popular tour while also savoring delicious Irish dishes, in addition to learning about Cork’s culinary heritage along the way.

The 2 ½ to 3-hour walking food tour starts at the Grand Parade entrance to the legendary English Market on Princes Street where you will meet that market’s artisan producers.

Six venues are included in this guided tour that will also give you an insight into the local culture and architecture.

Cork Historic Doughnut Tour

You’ll start this tour at the Dulce Bun Bakehouse, a family-owned café that sells some of the best doughnuts in town.

After that, expect to hear about the incredible history of the city while stopping at two other doughnut specialty shops as well as well-known attractions in the city, including the National Monument Grand Parade, the English Market and the Crawford Art Gallery .

Cork on a Fork Festival

Taste your way through the city by enjoying food trails, cooking demonstrations, tasting masterclasses, talks, special events and more at this annual food festival , which takes place Aug. 16-20.

Kinsale, County Cork

Make Kinsale a definite stop on your Ireland vacation itinerary and while you’re there, choose between three food-related tours offered in this colorful West Cork town.

Kinsale Culinary Half-Day Tour

This includes a walk through this pretty seaside village where you’ll learn about the history of Irish food and then sample some traditional fare, including local cheese, oysters and craft beer.

The tour culminates in a lesson on how to make a classic Irish coffee. This is also available as a private tour. Email [email protected] for more information.

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Coastal Foraging and Folklore Tour

On this coastal walk, learn how to identify seaweeds, shellfish, and wild plants, some of which are used for beauty, food and medicinal purposes, and hear some local coastal legends as well.

This dog-friendly walking food tour starts at the Sandycove Slipway, about 5 km/3 miles outside Kinsale. Look for the guide wearing the green “Kinsale Food Tours” jacket.

This is also available as a private experience, with a wild foods picnic included. Email [email protected] for more information.

Private Yacht Picnic Charter

This half-day sailing experience (available in the morning and afternoon) includes having your own skipper and a private guide, in addition to a gourmet picnic as you take in the spectacular views along the County Cork coast.

Some alcohol is provided and includes local producers Kinsale Mead , Blacks Kinsale Pale Ale , Stonewell Cider , as well as wine and Prosecco.

This is not a budget experience. Charter yacht tours cost approximately $1,400 for up to 4 people.

There are several food tours that you can avail of in the Dingle area.

Dingle Tasting Tours

Wander through the beautiful town of Dingle and experience its local food and drink, including seafood right off the boat, Irish beef from local farms and locally crafted gin and beer.

Tours are offered at 11:30 a.m. and at 2 p.m. The morning tour is the shorter of the two available.

Kingdom Food Tour

Italian native and certified tour guide Giulia Visciani is enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge of Irish food and in particular, her passion for Dingle and its fare.

Expect to stop at a local brewery, fusion food restaurants, food trucks, a butcher shop, and an ice cream store on this food tour .

Visciani also offers private tours and a guided coastal walk together with a gourmet picnic.

Deelish Food Tours by Deirdre Harman

Meet the maker.

On this four-hour drive through the Dingle Peninsula , you’ll discover artisan food and beverage producers, including a visit with the first female brewer in Ireland.

The Dingle Food Festival

This is an annual highlight in Dingle, which will take place Sept. 29 th through October 1 st .

Activities include a combination of cookery demonstrations, workshops, a craft beer and cider trail, a farmer's forum, street entertainment, a taste trail, over 50 market stalls, children's events, wine tastings, and more.

Meet and Eat Dublin: Dublin Food Walking Tour

Stop at 6 to 7 different venues in the city to get a literal taste of Dublin’s current food scene. Meet food artisans, chocolatiers, and cheese mongers, among others.

This tour includes 5 to 6 food tastings and 1 to 2 drink tastings.

Dublin Walking Tour with Secret Tours

Take a half-day food tour visiting authentic pubs, cafes, markets, and food shops while savoring a traditional Irish breakfast, artisanal cheese, even an Irish liqueur.

The tour will take you past Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College , and other popular attractions in the city.

Delicious Dublin Food Tour

This tour  will give you a good introduction to the food scene in Ireland and Dublin.

It includes tastings and samples at award-winning restaurants and cafés.

Food on Foot Tour

You’ll find a blend of food, history and culture on this tour .

Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class and Dinner in Central Dublin

Learn how to make Irish soda bread, a beef and Guinness casserole and an Irish favorite, colcannon with Dublin native Ann Tomlin.

The experience is more than just a cooking lesson; it’s an evening of fun and the chance to experience genuine Irish hospitality.

Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

While not a food tour, per se, this delightful activity is still totally worth doing.

Enjoy a variety of afternoon tea delicacies, including freshly made sandwiches, desserts, cakes, and pastries, with 1950s jazz playing in the background while you breeze around the city on a double decker bus.

Galway Food Tours – Daytime Food Tour

This 2 ½-hour culinary walking tour will introduce you to Galway’s cheese makers, artisan chocolatiers, creative beer makers and more.

Other culinary tours offered by Galway Food Tours include an Evening Food Tour, the Sweet Tooth Food Tour and its 4 ½-hour Food and Cycling Tour.

You’ll more information on the Galway Food Tours website .

Foodie Walking Tour of Galway City

This small group tour , which is offered in both English and French, includes six food and drink stops across the city where you’ll learn about traditional Irish food, in addition to exploring the Galway Market where local producers sell Galway Bay oysters, cheese, craft beer and more.

Taste of Sligo Food Tours

Follow well-known Sligo restauranteur Anthony Gray through the streets of Sligo and into its popular eateries on this popular food tour .

Over 2 ½ hours, learn about the multicultural flavors that are defining the town’s position as a culinary destination.

Tours are available Wednesday through Saturday, at 12 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. for groups of up to 8+ people.

Tours are also available for singles and groups smaller than 8.

Private Oyster Tasting One-Hour Experience

This 1-hour experience includes an oyster shucking demonstration and an oyster tasting provided by Aisling Kelly, owner of WB’s Coffee House.

Sligo Oyster Farm Tour

This oyster farm tour will give you exclusive access to a working oyster farm where you will learn about Sligo's ancient seafood while taking in stunning views of Benbulben and Knocknarea, popular hiking attractions in County Sligo .

The Burren, County Clare

The Burren in County Clare is where you’ll find an abundance of caves, cliffs and fossil sites, and it also where you will discover a number of food-related attractions.

In recent years, this area has attracted several artisan farmers , beekeepers, gardeners, cheesemakers, perfumeries, and chocolatiers, which has resulted in the creation of The Burren Food Trail , a series of themed driving tours that can be easily downloaded for on-the-go traveling.

Choose from The Market Garden Trail, the Farm to Fork Trail, Taste of the Ocean Trail and more.

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Mountain Splendour Taste Tour

Take a tour of the Comeragh and Knockmealdown mountain region with guide Johnny Landers.

This food tour also includes a visit a sheep farm where you will learn about sustainable farming and see the farm’s distinctive Scottish Black Face sheep and then dine on lamb when in season at Cooney’s Yard .

If you want a more immersive experience, you can spend two days exploring County Waterford’s food, drink, and landscapes.

The Waterford Food Story Experience includes two nights bed and breakfast at the Granville Hotel in Waterford together with an evening meal in the award-winning Everett’s restaurant.

Take a foraging tour along the nearby beach, part of Waterford’s Copper Coast , with The Sea Gardener Marie Power and later explore the region’s gardens and natural woodland.

If you’d like to discover more of County Waterford’s culinary treasures, be sure to take the Coastal Discovery Taste Trail .

If you want to discover the culinary delights of County Donegal , taking a food tour with Donegal Food Tours is worthwhile. Here is a sampling of what you can expect.

Taste the North

This guided excursion highlights the chefs, foodie destinations, and delicious produce in the northern part of the county.

Taste Inishowen

On this food tour , you'll spend an afternoon traveling through the Inishowen Peninsula that is known for its stunning sea views, and along the way, you'll find some of Donegal's best foodie gems.

The Killybegs Food Tour

Meet local fishermen, products and restauranteurs on this 3.5-hour walking food tour of Killybegs , the main fishing port of County Donegal.

Border Hop Food Tour

This 5-hour excursion will take you to the Donegal/Tyrone border where you'll meet the innovative producers and chefs behind the food scene in Northwest Ireland , in addition to numerous tasting opportunities.

Email [email protected] to book any one or more of the above tours.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Donegal Food Tours (@donegalfoodtours)

They include A Taste of Donegal, A Taste of Inishowen Food Festival, the Dunfanaghy Food Festival, the Dungloe Street Food Event, the Killybegs Hooked Festival, and Off the Street Food Festival.

Find more information on all of them  here .

If you’d like to take a food tour of Ireland, Vagabond offers an excellent one called the 6-Day Epic Ireland Food Tour that will take you to places like Galway, Clare, Dingle and more.

Read More: Private Tours of Ireland: How to See the Emerald Isle on Your Terms

No doubt there are many more food tours in Ireland, way more than I can fit into this blog post.

If you know of a worthwhile food tour anywhere on the island of Ireland, do let me know in the comments below.

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Kinsale : a Culinary Odyssey

Kinsale is a town with many sails or strings to its bow. Originally a Norman walled town which became a thriving fishing port, its Irish name is ‘Ceann tSáile’ which means ‘Head of the Sea’. The town thrived on the prolific mackerel fishery where men fished while their wives and daughters processed fish along the quays and sold to traders.

Over time in Kinsale, fishing was usurped by tourism, helped by its incomparable beauty, medieval architecture and salty sea air. Kinsale has evolved as a world class gourmand’s delight, aided by the proliferation of many high class restaurants and eateries in the town.

Colourful Streets

Medieval Forts

Stunning Coastlines

Bustling Harbour

Sharing stories and tasty treats

With so many glorious venues on our doorstep, Kinsale is a mecca for tourists and Irish alike who flock here for our wonderful food. For a food fanatic,  this is a particular treat, having a rich hinterland and coastline which provides us with the freshest and most fabulous food and people.

The tours have become renowned both locally and internationally, having been featured extensively in Irish, UK, US and European media. 

Our food tours showcase Kinsale in 3 completely different ways. 

Walking Town Food Tour

Product information.

€80 per person

Price on request for private food tours. We do cater for dietary requirements on the private food tour.

Description

Our town food tours are like a walking meal which take you to a selection of different eateries. During the tour you will hear stories about the food and meet some of the fascinating characters who make it too. Be sure to bring your appetite!

• shop_line All tour food provided by local venues and producers.
• umbrella_line Tours run in all weather conditions.
• first_aid_kit_line Public tour not suitable for those with dietary requirements.
• alarm_2_line Tour Durations is normally 2-2.5 hours.

Foraging and Coastal Tour

€70 per person

For outdoor enthusiasts, we run foraging and picnic tours. This incorporates food tastings as well as coastal foraging. We travel to the coast to forage and identify edible, wild shellfish, seaweed and plants. We provide a gourmet picnic as part of this tour and incorporate some pre-prepared wild food by some of our local producers.

• dog_line Doggy Friendly
• wave_line Our Foraging Tours times are tide dependent.
• mushroom_line Picnic showcases a range of local producers.
• alarm_2_line Tour Durations is normally 2.5 hours.

Private Yacht Charter Picnic

from €350 per person

Hosted by Sovereign Sailing

An exclusive, luxury experience with a half-day sailing. Our combined expertise and love for all things food and oceanic are brought together on these charters. Relax while your private skipper sails you out of the beautiful Kinsale harbour. Enjoy a gourmet picnic and learn more about the food and local wonders with your personal guide.

• user_star_line Private Skipper and Guide included.
• wave_line Tours dependent on sea conditions.
• sailboat_line All boats operated by Soverign Sailing.
• alarm_2_line Tour Durations is normally 3-4 hours.

Suzanne : Founder & Lead Guide

The Kinsale Food Tours was the brainchild of Suzanne Burns who returned to Ireland after over a decade living abroad. She started these tours in 2016, from a combined love for the town itself and an obsession with food, its origins and the coast.

Her career started as a Zoologist, focusing on freshwater and marine plants and animals in Ireland. She worked as a scallop farmer for her Honours thesis for her degree. Her work took her travelling for over a decade in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. After graduating, she spent a year in Australia, working as a beetle technician in the Australian Museum in Sydney. She returned to Ireland to fulfil her Masters in Dublin.

She then moved to New Zealand for a decade working as a freshwater biologist and researcher, She changed tack after 5 years, becoming a wildlife guide and head crew on a boat, working with albatrosses, penguins, sea lions and fur seals.

A chance encounter led her to Vancouver Island, Canada for 6 months where she worked as a wildlife writer and photographer, working primarily with wild orcas and humpback whales. On returning to Ireland, she started the Kinsale Food Tours. Kinsale Food Tours is part of the Wild Atlantic Way

Answers to some common questions

Contact Kinsale Food Tours

We use email and phone to tailor each tour whether they be groups, couples, families or solo travellers. Get in touch.

Testimonials

Some of our amazing guests

“By far one of our favourite things we did on our 2 week holiday. Suzanne was not only extremely knowledgeable about everything (not just food ),her personality made the experience even more lovely. We will definitely be back and we will be more adventurous. We will be doing the “food and foraging” tour that she offers next. I simply can not express just how great this was!!!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! ”

“We had such a fantastic day out with Suzanne, who introduced us to some fabulous food and such lovely people who took so much pride in what they were offering, plus we also learnt about the history of Kinsale. Suzanne has a great sense of humour, and so easy to get on with, we just spent the day laughing,eating and drinking, it was brilliant !! Come hungry as the portions are BIG !!! If in Kinsale you have to do this tour with Suzanne.”

“Suzanne was an outstanding host and guide providing fascinating insight to both the food and the town of Kinsale. Suzane met us on time and took us on a casual walk about town as she talked about its history, building’s and its people. The tour was a perfectly set up 4 course meal in 4 different venues. Each venue was unique, comfortable and quite tasty! It became evident that she is well known in town with everyone saying hello as we strolled about.”

“Fun and Tasty. What a wonderful and delightful introduction to Kinsale food. Suzanne lead us to 4 stops each with their own unique food contribution. Not only did Suzanne introduce to establishments we would not have found, she provided historical perspective. Each stop was tasty and fun. And she provided great recommendations on others spots to try. She has an irreverent Irish sense of humor and was a delightful guide. Highly recommend”

“Highlight of the south of Ireland. My husband and I joined the food tour of Kinsale for our 10th wedding anniversary because almost as much as we love each other, we both enjoy eating well, even more. This tour did exceedingly well at that and then some. Our host/guide weaved both history, tall tales and gastronomic expertise in a professional yet fun and approachable matter, that I think you would have to be a lonely stone at the sea not to fall in love with not just only her but the fantastic culinary and historic experience that awaits you in this gem of the world."

“This is our third time to do Suzanne's food tour in Kinsale. This time we also included foraging. i was amazed at the depth of Suzanne's knowledge about the seaweeds and foods that can be found at the beach. The food at the restaurants and food stops was also fabulous. Our group loves doing the food tour, and look forward to it each time we return! Suzanne not only teaches us a lot as she takes you on the food tour, she makes it lots of fun! We can't recommend this tour enough! Yummy food and lots of fun, learning and laughter!”

“MUST DO! An incredible experience in Kinsale. Absolutely wonderful afternoon tasting food of not only outstanding quality, but also impressive quantity! Suzanne was brilliant with thoughtful touches and expert knowledge. Can’t wait to return to Kinsale and go all over again!”

Some of our features on air.

Julia Bradbury with Channel 4 was on a journey around Ireland and worked with Suzanne.

Kinsale Food Tours was featured as part of Discover Ireland's "Shameless Plugs" campaign in the UK and US.

Kinsale Food Tours featured on Ireland AM, a Virgin Media breakfast show.

A little story about the humble potato.

The Best Food Tours in Ireland

Explore these delicious Irish food tours while travelling around Ireland with us. Foodie expert Derry has also included brewery/whiskey experiences for your delectation. Harvest... Forage... Slurp... Sip... Munch!

The Best Irish Food Tours At A Glance

• 🌊 Harvest and taste seaweed on a Kerry beach
• 🐮 Meet grass-fed buffalo and munch their mozzarella
• 🥃 Slurp smooth Irish whiskey at the Jameson Distillery
• 🧚 Forage in wild Clare hedgerows for fairy potatoes and wild garlic
• 🍴 Take a guided walking food tour of the most exciting food scene in Ireland
• 🍺 Meet Ireland’s original female brewer and at an historic Kerry pub
• 🔥 Taste an Irish coffee like no other, brewed al fresco
• 😋 Become an Irish breakfast guru

From meat and potatoes to Michelin stars; from a famine to food trails, the story of Irish food is a winding road.

We've followed that road and met — and taste tested — each one of the following food tours. We know the tour guides themselves and heartily recommend every one.

Fun food experiences listed here include off the beaten path locations like Clare, Dingle, West Cork and Kinsale, showcasing the very best of Irish food.

Whether you're gobbling in Galway or chowing down in Kerry, we've got a food tour for you.

Don't miss our list of highly recommended Irish dishes, unique to regions around the island.

Now read on, hungry adventurer!

🌊 Seaweed Discovery Tour

Meet John, your charismatic guide for this foraging hike with a difference.

Your prey? Dillisk, carrageen and sea spaghetti!

Seaweeds have been harvested for centuries in Ireland. They have a multitude of uses. These marine superfoods were baked into bread, added to stews, used as thickening agents, mixed into animal feed and dried for fertiliser.

The location of Atlantic Irish Seaweed could not be more spectacular; Derrynane Beach on the south side of Kerry's Iveragh Peninsula.

🐮 Guided Buffalo Farm Tour & Mozzarella Tasting

Pop on your welly boots for a guided farm tour of Ireland’s happiest grass-fed buffalo herd.

Dorothy is your charming guide as you meet cute calves and learn how these noble beasts came to reside in wonderful West Cork.

Afterwards — the most important bit — savour a lunch featuring creamy mozzarella, ricotta and halloumi cheeses.

Bonus points for trying to speak a few words of Gaelic while on tour here; this is an Irish-speaking Gaeltacht region after all!

Check out O'Tuama Tours for more information.

🥃 Taste Smoother-Than-Smooth Irish Whiskey

The Jameson Distillery in Midleton is home to the world's largest pot still, used to distill smooth, triple-distilled Irish whiskey.

Take a guided tour through the entire Irish whiskey-making process, from the mashing of barley to the maturation of the whiskey in casks. You'll also learn about the history of Jameson and its role in Irish culture.

The tour concludes with a guided whiskey tasting. You'll sample three different Jameson whiskeys, learning about typical whiskey flavours and aromas.

You can visit Jameson Distillery on our 6 Day Great Southern Ireland Tour , fully refreshed for 2024.

🧚 Taste Fairy Potatoes & Irish Coconut

Surprising foraged delights and other edible wonders are waiting for you in the hedgerows of Clare.

Before supermarkets and online ordering, Irish people ate from the landscape around them.

Edible berries, roots, herbs and flowers were all included in the diets of Irish people in the past.

Food guru Oonagh is your expert guide, as you taste her unique concoctions and delicious distillations; all harvested from the wild Irish countryside around you.

Book a tour with Wild Kitchen when you're next passing through Clare.

🍴 Gobble Up Galway!

Visit some of Galway's most popular food spots on an award-winning Galway Food Tour experience.

Choose from a daytime, evening or sweet tooth tour.

The daytime and nighttime tours both include the Galway City Market, a local bakery, and a traditional Irish pub. You'll also learn about the city's rich culinary history and sample some of the best food that Galway has to offer, meeting some of the city's most passionate food producers in the process.

On a sweet tooth tour, you'll visit some of Galway's best chocolatiers, ice cream parlours, and shops. You'll also learn about the history of Irish candy and sample some of the most delicious treats that Galway has to offer.

🍺 Meet Ireland's Original Female Brewer

Taste craft beer at a 100-year-old, family-owned pub after embarking on a guided brewery tour, just next door.

Sound like a dream?

Welcome to Tig Bhric on the wild and windswept Dingle peninsula.

This is the home of West Kerry Brewery and its characterful head brewer, Adrienne Heslin.

🔥 Taste An Irish Coffee Like No Other!

One of the highlights of our small group tours are the regular picnic lunches.

Weather permitting, your VagaGuide will take you and your group to a beautiful spot where you can enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with stunning views.

After lunch, you'll have the opportunity to taste an Irish coffee brewed outdoors, Vagabond-style!

You'll feel totally wild as your tour guide sparks up their camping stove with twigs and boils water to make a round of delicious and warming Irish coffees.

Perfect fuel for adventuring!

😋 Typical Local Foods In Ireland

Have you tried these uniquely Irish dishes yet? Don't miss them!

🎃 Colcannon – Mashed potato mixed with cream or milk, kale, chopped onion and lots of salt and pepper. Typically eaten at Halloween.

🌼 Elderflower – May-blooming flowers from the elder tree are infused with water and sugar to create a concentrated syrup or cordial. Unique floral flavour. Elderberries, rich in Vitamin C, are also edible when cooked.

🥯 Blaa – A fluffily soft, white bread roll. Served as a sandwich or simply with butter. Typical of Waterford; allegedly brought by French Huguenot arrivals of the distant past.

🍲 Coddle - A pork-based stew that is traditional in Dublin. Often has a creamy consistency. Good hangover cure!

🐑 Drisheen – A tripe dish made of sheep's intestines filled with meal and blood. Tastes better than it sounds! Typically found in Cork.

🐷 Pudding – No, it’s not dessert! Served with a cooked Irish breakfast, it’s a pork, herb and oat sausage with black and white versions (black is made with blood). Tastes rather like haggis.

🐮 Spiced Beef - Cured and lightly spiced, this dish is typically served at Christmas. Tastes like pastrami as a cold cut.

✝️ Scones – Scones in Ireland are different to what Americans might expect. Here, scones are fist-sized, baked breads, typically crumbly in texture and made with white or wholemeal flour. Sometimes they have raisins inside or are served with butter, cream and fruit jam.

Did you know that you can discern the religion of an Irish person by the way they pronounce this one little word? It's sk-own for Catholic, skon for Protestant. In Ireland, even the snacks are religious!

🚐 Food On Tour with Vagabond

Starting and ending in Dublin, all of our small group tours of Ireland  feature culinary delights as standard.

Each itinerary exceeds your recommended dietary allowance of unique local experiences, amazing activities and — of course — laughter and fun.

We include all breakfasts in the tour price. Our network of high quality hotels all offer buffet breakfasts with a range of delicious options, both hot and cold dishes.

This leaves you free to choose your lunches and dinners along the route (our expert tour guides will happily recommend their favourites at each stop).

In between all the eating and drinking, you'll be given the chance to burn off those calories with amazing adventure activities like hiking and kayaking.

If you're passionate about food and looking to explore exciting Irish cuisine, we are the tour operator for you!

As Rob, our founder, says:

"After years of being under appreciated, local Irish produce has come to the fore, mixing with international influences to produce a distinctively Irish modern cuisine.”

We offer two styles of culturally immersive travel:

• 🥾 Vagabond Cultural Adventures feature an upbeat pace and adventure activity options. Mix hiking, kayaking and biking and other outdoor adventures with history, culture, dining and shopping.
• 🏰 Driftwood Journeys of Discovery move at a gentler pace and focus on quality time, with all the same crafts, castles and off the beaten track locations as Vagabond.

On all of our tours, our VagaGuide tour guides curate locally owned accommodations, pubs and restaurants to help serve our central goal:

We want you to love Ireland as much as we do!

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14 Unforgettable Things to Do in Cork City, Ireland

Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, once a 6th-century monastic site and later a Viking settlement located on the marshy banks of the River Lee. Since its Scandinavian expansion, Cork has grown to house a population of 264,000 and attracts residents from all nationalities and walks of life. The city is located within County Cork, around three hours south of Dublin.

Corkonians are fiercely proud of their little city and often refer to it as “the true capital of Ireland,” a phrase that lights up the eyes of any true Cork patriot.

Why I Love My Hometown

I moved to Cork in 2021 with no real idea of the city’s history or cultural significance—I wanted to live somewhere small enough that I could walk from one end to the other, but big enough to have lots of events and activities throughout the year.

And I liked that the city’s name reminded me of wine.

With those three criteria forming an informal checklist in my head, I packed my bags and arrived in Cork—and quickly discovered that I had found my way to one of the most delightful towns in Ireland. This list of Cork attractions will take you through the parks and gardens, the historic sites, the foodie hideouts, the museums, and the excursions of Cork City .

Vibrant, bustling, and full of charm, Cork is known as the City of Welcomes and is ready to welcome you over for an unforgettable Irish vacation.

Read More: Best Countries to Visit with Kids

1. Ring the Shandon Bells

One of Cork ’s most iconic landmarks is the bell tower of St. Anne’s Church, which overlooks the city from its lofty perch in the historic Shandon district. The church was constructed in the early 1700s, replacing an older medieval church near the site which was destroyed during the 1690 Siege of Cork.

St. Anne’s is famous for its eight bells, and even features in an 18th-century song—climb the stone steps to the first floor, and you can ring the bells yourself!

The Shandon Bells  are on a system known as an Ellacombe chiming system, meaning that the bells themselves are fixed in place, and are rung by pulling a rope attached to a hammer, which strikes the bell in the belfry to produce each note. The church even provides sheet music with popular tunes on them, so that visitors can serenade the local townsfolk on their trip to Shandon Bells. Continue up the spiraling stone steps, and you are rewarded with a stunning view of Cork from above.

2. Visit the Butter Museum

If you went shopping for butter in the 19th century, chances are you would have had little difficulty getting your hands on some authentic Cork butter. Cork was the largest exporter of butter in the world at the time, partly due to the cows that lived in the area: they produced more and higher-quality milk than other contemporary cows, while tending to air on the smaller side, meaning they required less food. When the British later decided to crossbreed the Cork cows with their own, larger stock, the resulting offspring did not inherit their forbearers’ legendary milk capabilities—a lesson not to mess with a winning formula!

The Cork Butter Museum  takes visitors on a tour of all things butter in Ireland, from the ancient practice of preserving butter in bogs to medieval butter-churning practices to modern Irish butter producers on the market.

3. Shop at the English Market

The English Market  in Cork is a sprawling indoor market that connects to several different streets in Cork, giving it a maze-like feel. There has been a market on this site since 1788, and the present market is memorable for its high vaulted ceiling, stained glass, cast iron fountain, and of course, every type of foodstuff you could want when planning tonight’s dinner.

The market hosts a variety of butchers, fishmongers, artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread and pastries, local fruits and vegetables, and dry goods such as pasta, rice, and lentils sold by weight. There are also a couple of cafes and coffee shops that operate in the market, as well as a wine merchant, an olive stand, health food stalls, and more. The ornamental entrance at Princes Street includes a restaurant on the upper floor, providing a unique dining experience.

In fact, the market has been described as the “stomach and soul of Cork City,” with many of the stalls representing generations of families working in the Market. Buying directly from the stall owner lends a certain familiarity and community atmosphere to your shopping experience that really makes you feel connected to those around you.

4. See a dance show at the Firkin Crane

Why not experience a bit of local culture during your time in Cork? The Firkin Crane , located in a heritage building in Shandon, is the most unique spot in the city to catch a work of performance art. Firkin is a Danish word meaning a quarter barrel, a nod to the theatre’s historic past as the site of Cork’s original Butter Market.

After the market closed in 1924, the building was abandoned, and then burned down, until its complete restoration in 1992, when it reopened as a theater. Today, all sorts of performances can be enjoyed at the Firkin Crane , from dance to poetry readings, art installations, and pantomimes. There are also classes and workshops available for those who want to give it a go, themselves.

5. Explore the lush campus of University College Cork

Cork is a college town, with its university founded in 1845 under the endowment of Queen Victoria. The campus, located in the south-western quadrant of the city, and just across the road from Fitzgerald’s Park, is iconic for its regal stone “Long Hall” building, which is adorned with ivy.

Just inside on the ground floor, visitors can admire the prehistoric ogham stones (pronounced “ome”) that line the walkway of the Long Hall. Ogham is the ancient writing system for Old Irish, usually marking place names or memorializing the patronage of a king or chieftain.

Signs on the wall explain the alphabet of ogham characters so that viewers can practice writing their own name in ogham, a fun, personal souvenir from your time in Cork .

The River Lee also runs through campus, with a peaceful nature walkway following its course, a spot where students can be often found taking a stroll between lectures, or during the summer months. The path concludes at the main entrance to campus, where two majestic weeping willows trail their long branches in the water.

6. Walk through Fitzgerald’s Park

Leaving UCC, we cross the road and head down Mardyke Walk to arrive at Fitzgerald’s Park, a 12-acre park sporting curated gardens, a sculpture trail, meandering paths, a quaint café, the Cork Public Museum , and a large children’s play area that is a favorite of families in the summer.

Not far away from the park was the site of a major Irish Iron Age discovery, the mysterious decorated iron horns now known as the Cork Horns, which can be found on display at the Cork Public Museum  in the park. The museum is a great way to learn about Cork’s history, from prehistory through to the war for Irish independence.

Also around the corner from Fitzgerald’s Park  is Daly’s Bridge —more commonly known as “the Shaky Bridge” for its unnerving tendency to sway from side to side whenever someone runs across it. Adults may prefer to keep their feet on solid ground, but children delight in the unusual nature of the Shaky Bridge , so don’t be surprised to hear shrieks of delight coming from its direction on a nice day!

The Cork City Gaol is also visible from Fitzgerald’s Park and within walking distance, the historic old jailhouse is now open to the public as a museum. A self-guided tour is available, telling the morose tale of some of Cork’s historic, imprisoned citizens.

7. Have a pint at one of Cork’s many heritage pubs

The Cork Heritage Pub Trail celebrates fourteen pubs that have been a part of the Cork landscape for generations, including such famous establishments as Sin É , The Oval , Mutton Lane , The Old Town Whiskey Bar , Crane Lane Theatre , and many others.

Those who enjoy live music will delight in the traditional Irish sessions which take place seven nights a week at Sin É , if you’re lucky enough to find a spot to sit! These are all excellent spots to have a pint of Beamish, the local Cork answer to Guinness, and the best way to impress residents with your refined tastes. Ask for a Taytos (potato chips) while you’re at it, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proper Corkonian.

8. Visit St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Christianity has been at the heart of Cork ’s historical past, as the Irish saint Finbarr founded a monastery here in the 7th century AD. The original monastery survived until the 1300s, but the cathedral currently sitting on the site is a late 19th century, Gothic construction overseen by the Victorian architect William Burges.

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral  is constructed mainly from local stone, with some 800+ sculptures adorning the building inside and out. Even the stained glass windows were designed by Burges, who made sketches for each of the 74 windows seen in the cathedral today. Guided tours are available every hour between 10 am and 5 pm, which include the cathedral itself, the grounds, and an introduction to the labyrinth.

9. Tour Elizabeth Fort

Located just off Barrack Street, Elizabeth Fort is a 17th-century star-formation fort built outside the medieval walls of Cork . The site is now a tourism heritage site, with free admission. Walking along the battlements, visitors can enjoy the unparalleled views of Cork city, while a self-guided audio tour is available in English, French, German, Italian, Irish, and Spanish, telling of the fort’s history throughout its long lifetime.

Inside, there is an exhibition on famous women of Cork, including those of women prisoners who were arrested for crimes as minor as stealing a single handkerchief.

10. Take a day trip to one of the neighboring towns

Cork has several notable neighbors, and all are easily accessible by rented car, bus, or train for a fun day trip from the city center.

Hop on the local train from Cork Kent train station to Cobh, where you can see the brightly-painted houses known as the “Deck of Cards” back-dropped impressively by the Cobh Cathedral. Cobh  was also the last spot where the Titanic docked before embarking on its fateful north-westerly journey, and the Titanic Experience  in Cobh takes visitors through a summary of that final anchorage.

Tourists can also take a short boat journey over to Spike Island , once the site of a monastic settlement and later reimagined as a defensive 18th-century fort, located in the Cork Harbour. The popular Fota Wildlife Park  is also located along the train journey to Cobh, featuring 100 acres of free-roaming animals, from wallabies to zebras.

Heading south from Cork instead, hop aboard the 226 or 228 bus out to Kinsale , the coastal town that marks the start of the Wild Atlantic Way , a 1,553-mile scenic drive along the western coast of Ireland. In the summer, these buses fill up quickly with city residents looking to cool off with a dip in the sea, so it is recommended to start your day early when visiting Kinsale. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the beach before heading into town for an exploration of Kinsale’s many boutique shops, galleries, and bookstores.

Blarney Castle

Cork is also within public bus access of Blarney and Blarney Castle , famous for its castle, gardens, and of course, the Blarney Stone. “Blarney” itself is a term that means beguiling but misleading talk, and legend states that kissing the Blarney Stone endows the kisser with “the gift of the gab,” meaning great eloquence, or skill at flattery. The Stone is a popular tourist attraction, but kissing it is no easy task—participants must climb to the top of the castle, and then lean backward off the parapet edge to reach the Stone. Before safeguards were put in place, the kisser had to be physically grasped by the ankles and dangled out into the open air to reach the Stone!

11. Have a picnic at the Lough

Southwest of the city center, and a short bus ride or walk from town, is the Lough, a large lake full of waterfowl, fish, swans, and other wildlife. This is a popular spot for summertime picnics or a peaceful stroll in the late afternoon.

Legend states that the Lough was actually once the spot of an ancient village and that those with keen eyesight can spot the tops of the old towers underneath the rippling water. While the legend may be little more than fiction, it is nonetheless a popular spot amongst locals and a great escape from the bustle of town on a nice day.

12. Visit the Crawford Art Gallery

The Crawford Art Gallery  is a public art gallery and museum with rotating exhibitions alongside its permanent collections and is free to enter. The gallery is housed in the former Cork Customs House, built in 1752, which boasts an impressive red brick facade and stately interior.

Corkonians delight in checking out the latest collections to grace the gallery, and then popping into the on-site cafe afterwards for a coffee and a treat.

13. Discover the Blackrock Castle Observatory

Blackrock Castle was built in the 16th century as a watchtower and fort to guard Cork Harbour against invaders and pirates and now hosts an incredible space and history exhibition. Free guided tours of the castle are offered to visitors between 10 am-1 pm, but booking ahead of time is essential.

From the top of the castle, the panoramic view of the River Lee is your reward, and rowers from the local Rowing Clubs can usually be spotted cutting across the waters of the river as they train. Just next to Blackrock Castle Observatory  is the Castle Cafe , a haven for foodies and warm respite on a cold day. Blackrock itself is an elegant neighborhood of Cork and can be accessed via bus, or by bike along the Marina Greenway. In summer months, it is common to see locals lounging along the little cove that marks Blackrock, nibbling on treats purchased at the nearby cafes and coffee shops. On select weekends, a farmer’s market pops up on this spot, as well.

14. Go shopping along Oliver Plunkett and St. Patrick’s Street

Whether you’re looking for a luxury souvenir or just interested in window shopping, the two main shopping streets in Cork City are happy to welcome you.

Oliver Plunkett is the pedestrianized thoroughfare through Cork , dotted with cozy Irish pubs, local eateries, and a wide array of shops including musical instruments, stationery, chocolatiers, art supplies, clothing, and much more.

For those who want to spend a little more cash, St. Patrick’s Street marks the high fashion corridor through Cork , and cuts directly through the city’s center. St. Patrick’s Street  has an interesting history, as it used to be a canal that bisected Viking and medieval Cork. Cork was once known as “a safe harbor,” as ships would sail into the canal during the day, and at night gates would seal off the canal, meaning that no nefarious forces could attack your ships while you slept.

Now, the only threat of attack comes in the form of pranks…at the top of St Patrick’s Street , just across from the visitor center, stands the statue of Father Matthew, who frequently can be found sporting a traffic cone for a hat. Who this prankster is, and how they manage to scale the statue unseen to adorn the man with his fashionable hat is unknown, but the sight of Father Matthew freshly crowned brings a sly smile to the face of every Corkonian.

Venture further afield

From Cork City, many other beautiful locations can be reached by bus, car, or train. In the summer months, locations such as Killarney National Park, Beara Peninsula, Mizen Head, Gougane Barra, and Dursey Island are must-sees.

Head west of Cork city and discover the wonders of West Cork, whose scenic beauty is unmatched.

Those interested in renting a car can drive the Ring of Kerry, located just north of County Cork, or check out the walking trails and cliff hikes available in the region. I hope these travel tips have inspired you to consider a vacation to Cork, and will keep you coming back for more.

The post 14 Unforgettable Things to Do in Cork City, Ireland appeared first on She Buys Travel .

THE 5 BEST Cork Food & Drink Tours

Food & drink tours in cork.

• Beer Tastings & Tours
• Farmers Markets
• Cooking Classes
• Distilleries
• Coffee & Tea Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Distillery Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Bonner Travel
• The English Market
• Hysterical Histories Cork
• Rebel City Distillery
• Kinsale Tourist Office
• St. Peter and Paul's Church
• Underground Donut Tour: Historic Cork Doughnut Tour
• The Long Valley Bar
• Bishop Lucey Park
• Fabulous Food Trails
• Coal Quay Market
• National Monument
• Crawford Art Gallery
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Cork Culinary Tour

2. Kinsale Culinary Tour

3. Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour

4. Cocktail Masterclass & Distillery Tour Combo

5. Meet and Eat Dublin: Cork Food Walking Tour

6. Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Explore the Making & Tasting of Mead

Killarney Jaunting Car Tour with Craft Brewery Beer & Pizza

Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery

Killarney Premium Irish Whiskey Tasting with Local Expert

Killarney Food Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Cork Culinary Tour
• Kinsale Culinary Tour
• Rebel City Distillery Tour
• Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour
• Cocktail Masterclass & Distillery Tour Combo
• Franciscan Well Brewery
• Mahon Point Farmers Market
• Wilton Farmers Market
• Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard
• Bandon Country market

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Dún Aonghasa, County Galway

Bring your coffee and sandwiches to the ancient fort of Dún Aonghasa , which clings tenaciously to the cliffs of Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands  in County Galway. The fort is a 15-minute walk from the visitor centre located on the edge of the Kilmurvey Craft Village. The short hike across the rocky, moon-like terrain is a small price to pay for lunch with incredible views 87 metres above the Atlantic waves.

Viewing platform at the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island, County Antrim

The RSPB West Light Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island is home to Northern Ireland’s largest colony of seabirds. Species such as puffins, razorbills and guillemots come to nest in this area every year, attracted by the rocky cliffs, lakes, and grassy fields. One of the best ways to observe them is from the centre’s main viewing platform on the craggy cliffside. After your visit to the seabird centre, explore some of the island’s scenic walking routes and pay a visit to the famous upside down lighthouse. 

The gardens of Garnish Island, County Cork

The gardens of Garnish Island in Bantry Bay, County Cork are renowned in the horticultural world for their great beauty and the large collection of plants that thrive there. Brought to life by the island’s previous owners Annan and Violet Bryce and architect and garden designer Harold Ainsworth Peto, this 37-acre garden is a glorious collage of colour that changes with the seasons and perfectly balances formal and wild elements. Explore the sunken Italian Garden, the Grecian Temple with sea and mountain views and the Martello Tower, which dates from 1805.

The Janus figure on Boa Island, County Fermanagh © Shutterstock

On Boa Island – one of 154 islands in County Fermanagh’s Lough Erne there is an intriguing statue considered to be one of the most remarkable stone figures on the island of Ireland. Believed to represent a Celtic deity, the ancient two-headed statue has been named the Janus figure, due to its similarities with the Roman two-headed god, Janus. You’ll find this mysterious pagan statue in the Caldragh Cemetery, one of the stops on the island’s walking trail .

Bray Head on Valentia Island, County Kerry

Tetrapod tracks dating back to the Devonian period over 300 million years ago can be seen on Valentia Island in County Kerry, one of Ireland’s most westerly land masses. Around 20 trackways have been preserved on the rocky coastline of the island, and they’re possibly some of the oldest evidence of the evolution of creatures from the water. Add this stop to your adventure on the Ring of Kerry!  

The monastic settlement on Devenish Island, County Fermanagh

Of the many lake islands in Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Devenish stands out. It was here in the 6th-century that Saint Molaise founded his monastery and at one point almost 1,000 monks lived and worked here in splendid isolation. You can still see the ruins of its Augustinian Abbey, intricately carved stone crosses and perfectly intact round tower. Not bad, considering the site was raided by Vikings in 837AD and burned centuries later.

The deserted village on Achill Island, County Mayo

At the foot of Slievemore Mountain on County Mayo’s Achill Island lies an eerie village of between 80 and 100 tumbledown stone cottages, abandoned from the mid-1800s. As you walk among those long empty ruins, you might wonder, what happened here? Achill’s famous Deserted Village came about due to a few factors including evictions due to the inability to pay rent to greedy landlords, famine and emigration. Explore the site and imagine what life was once like here...

Grey seal colony on the Great Blasket Island, County Kerry © Shutterstock

 The Blasket Islands in County Kerry have been described as the grey seal capital of Ireland. During the winter, up to 1,000 seals can be seen lounging on the shore of Great Blasket Island’s White Strand, and late September-October is a great time to see fuzzy seal pups. Several tours can get you that little bit closer to seals in their natural habitat – while still maintaining a safe distance to avoid disturbing them. The Great Blasket Island Premium Tour includes a landing on the island, cave and cove explorations, marine and birdlife sightings and of course, a chance to see the thriving grey seal colony.

Stone steps on Skellig Michael, County Kerry

You may recognise these rocky steps from Star Wars: The Force Awakens… but Skellig Michael  is much more than a dramatic film location. In the 6th century, monks settled on this island off the County Kerry coast, climbing to the top of its tallest summit and creating an extraordinary monastic village there, 218 metres (714 ft) above the churning ocean. Although some have deemed it vertigo-inducing, climbing the steps to the village is an incredible, spiritual experience.

Cable car to Dursey Island, County Cork

Even the postman takes the cable car over to Dursey Island  in County Cork to deliver to the five native island residents! This cable car has been in operation since 1969 and carries you 250 metres across the Atlantic Ocean to the tranquil island. Once there, you can follow the Dursey Island Loop which takes you past rugged cliffs and rustic stone walls, as you listen to a soundtrack of birdsong and the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

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Do you feel like tasting wild Atlantic sea spray on your lips? Strolling through vibrant city streets? Exploring ancient ruins? Right this way…

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Where do you reccommend to do base?

We are arriving and leaving from Berlin .

We are focused in nature, landscaping, and good food, nothing that requiersa los of hiking

Thank you for your advises!

8 replies to this topic

There are no must see places, anywhere.

Where do you want to go? Personally I would not stay in any city, especially if interested in nature.

That gives you your first base. You may as well stay in the Dublin area for a few days

If you are looking at hiking and not renting a car , Killarney is probably a good base. You can do things like take the bus to Kenmare and hike back to Killarney over the mountains (I recommend this way round so you are not pushed to make a last bus)

A third location is a bit tricky. Finding somewhere else with good public transport and access to hikes is not that easy.

Bantry could work, but it’s not an awful long way from Killarney and there’s a bit of overlap on what can be done.

Westport is a good town close to plentiful hikes, but getting to the start of some of those hikes is awkward without a car .

Hello and thank you for your response.

The point of looking for 3 different base places if because I don’t want to do packing and unpacking, I rather stay in one place for 3 nights and go around in the car .

Yes , we are arriving and leaving from Dublin , maybe spend 2/3 night there, from there I have been reading different itineraries but everything is like moving and moving… hehe.

I was thinking going from Dublin to Cork or Galway and then to Donegal /Belfast and

then back yo Dublin, but I don’t know if I can do interesting day trips from those places I mentioned.

I am open to any recommendations

Why not Dublin - Killarney - Galway ...plenty of day trip options from each of these places.

One you confirm bases it will be a lot easier to plan specifics

Your choice of bases may well be decided for you by the availability of accommodation — as August is High Season.

Unless you prefer city stays, for Northern Ireland , a location like Ballycastle would offer better access to most of the country. A town slightly further West would make parts of Donegal within reach.

If you DO include the North, then I agree that Cork and Kerry are out of reach. Galway is a bit of a “stretch”, but you could make it work.

Hello, and thank you!

Yes that’s what I want to do first,. Reserve the 3 hotel basis and from it plan to do day trips. That’s why I’m wondering which of them are more likely to have more today trips. So I’m going to consider that option you gave me.

What do you recommend more? North or south?

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