County Cork

County Cork is Ireland's largest county - a vast territory stretching from Cork city to the wild peninsulas of West Cork. The "Rebel County" has always done things its own way.

Why Visit Cork?

From foodie capital to wild Atlantic coast:

• Cork City - Ireland's second city with character to spare
• Food capital - The English Market and artisan producers
• West Cork - Rugged peninsulas and island-dotted bays
• Historic towns - Kinsale, Cobh, and Clonakilty
• Kiss the stone - Blarney Castle's famous gift of eloquence

Top Attractions

Cork City

A city built on islands in the River Lee, with the famous English Market, university, and thriving food and arts scene.

Kinsale

This harbor town is Cork's foodie capital, with colorful streets, maritime history, and the star-shaped Charles Fort.

Blarney Castle

Kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of eloquence, then explore the beautiful gardens and parkland.

West Cork Coast

The Mizen, Sheep's Head, and Beara peninsulas offer some of Ireland's wildest coastal scenery.

Cobh

The last port of call for the Titanic and departure point for millions of emigrants. The heritage is powerfully told here.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (March-May): Gardens bloom, quieter roads
• Summer (June-August): Best weather, festivals, busiest
• Autumn (September-October): Food harvest, stunning colors
• Winter (November-February): Cork city vibrant year-round

Getting Around

Cork is large - allow time for the distances. Cork city makes a good base for the east; Bantry or Skibbereen for West Cork.

The N28 to Ringaskiddy — a building site until 2028

Heading for Ringaskiddy, Carrigaline or Crosshaven, you leave the city on the N28 from the N40 Bloomfield interchange. That corridor is mid-rebuild and will be for years yet.

Open now. The Ringaskiddy Relief Road opened to traffic on Tuesday 28 July 2026. It is 1.5 km of new single carriageway running from Barnahely to the Port of Cork, with roundabouts at Barnahely, Loughbeg and east of Ringaskiddy. It was built as the advance-works element of the wider M28 scheme, ahead of the motorway it is designed to connect to.

Still a building site. The M28 motorway itself is not open. The 11 km mainline from the N40 Bloomfield interchange to Barnahely is expected in summer 2028, and until then the N28 is the road you drive. It is under construction along the length of the scheme — bridge works, lane closures, temporary lights, stop/go and flagmen at points including Rochestown, Maryborough Hill, Carrs Hill, Shannonpark and Shanbally, plus occasional overnight closures. Individual measures change from week to week. Add time for this leg: the moving time a satnav quotes for the run out to Ringaskiddy is not what the drive takes while the works are on.

(Sources: the scheme's own project site, m28.ie, for the 28 July 2026 opening, the 1.5 km relief road and its three roundabouts, and the summer 2028 motorway date; Cork National Roads Office for the 11 km mainline and the relief road as advance works. Checked September 2026 — traffic management on this corridor changes weekly, so check m28.ie before you drive it. We have not driven the new road.)

Local Tips

• The English Market is essential - go early for the atmosphere
• Kinsale gets very busy in summer - stay overnight if possible
• West Cork rewards slow travel - don't rush the peninsulas
• Try the local cheeses, especially from West Cork