Top 10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in County Cork, Province of Munster

August 27, 2021 Fernanda Pittenger

Discover the best top things to do in County Cork, Ireland including St. Mary's Collegiate Church, Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance, St. Gobnait's Monastic Site, Ballycotton Lighthouse, Gougane Barra Church, Abbeystrewry Graveyard, Crawford Art Gallery, University College Cork (UCC), Liss Ard Gardens, Blarney Stone.
Restaurants in County Cork

1. St. Mary's Collegiate Church

Emmet Pl Emmet Place,, Youghal P36 DV25 Ireland +353 83 402 6613 [email protected] http://youghal.cloyne.anglican.org/youghal_stmary
Excellent
83%
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5.0 based on 180 reviews

St. Mary's Collegiate Church

Welcome to 'Voices of St. Mary's Collegiate Church'. We hope you will enjoy exploring our church and discover more about its story in our interactive exhibition when you come to visit! Since its foundation in 1220, St. Mary's Collegiate Church has been at the heart of the town of Youghal. For over 800 years, the stone walls and wooden roof have provided sanctuary and solace through times of war and famine, as well as a calm presence in times of prosperity and peace. There is so much to discover her and as you look around you will see where parts of the church have been altered over the centuries. Despite these changes, the craftsmen who constructed the building in the 13th century would recognise it today. Christian worship continues to this day and Church of Ireland services are regularly held here. The church came into the care of Cork County Council in 2005 and now hosts a wide range of community events and performances, as well as welcoming visitors from all over the world!

Reviewed By Kathleen_White17 - Dublin, Ireland

Really loved our tour of the St Mary Collegiate Church -- our tour guide, Wayne, was very friendly, welcoming and filled with interesting information about the Church and the surrounding areas. Would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Irish history, wanting to spend time in a unique and impressive historical building, and/or wanting to learn some interesting facts about an Irish town that played a big role in history!

2. Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

Ringfinnan, Kinsale Ireland +353 86 864 7028 http://www.facebook.com/ringfinnan
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88%
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5.0 based on 122 reviews

Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

This garden is located in the townland of Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork in the south of Ireland and is dedicated to the memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their live in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. This garden of Remembrance was established by Kathleen Murphy in November 2001. Kathleen grew up in Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork which is located in the south of Ireland. Following her training as a nurse in England she moved to New York where she worked as a staff nurse for 40 years in Lennox Hill Hospital. Kathleen always admired the brave and courageous work of firefighters. Following the 9/11 attacks she decided to establish the garden of remembrance in memory to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th 2001. Kathleen passed away in March 2011 in New York following a battle with cancer and is buried less than 2 miles from the garden.

Reviewed By bsa819 - Lynnfield, United States

Worth a stop and a chance to remember. We forget how the entire globe was afftected by the events in the US on 9/11

3. St. Gobnait's Monastic Site

N22, Ballyvourney, Ballyvourney Ireland
Excellent
92%
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

St. Gobnait's Monastic Site

Reviewed By lillianb840 - Kilkenny, Ireland

Such a beautiful trail walk to St. Gobnait's site. Site well maintained. Beautiful, loved the walk. Beautiful trail walk up hillside with wonderful views to enjoy leads to the monument. Nicest trail walk I have been on in a while. Loved it, well done to local community.

4. Ballycotton Lighthouse

Ballycotton Ireland +353 21 464 6875
Excellent
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5.0 based on 38 reviews

Ballycotton Lighthouse

Reviewed By J5357ZPsandras - Dublin, Ireland

We had a perfect couple of hours visiting Ballycotton Lighthouse. Hazel, was the most enthusiastic and well informed guide, making our trip more memorable. It was a lovely sunny day and the views were spectacular.

5. Gougane Barra Church

Gougane Barra, Ballingeary Ireland
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5.0 based on 111 reviews

Gougane Barra Church

Reviewed By catherineo915 - Carlow, Ireland

We visited Gougan Barra on our way back home from a mini break in Kenmare and I have to say what a beautiful peaceful place to visit i had heard so much about it and I had always wanted to see it and I have to say it was stunning so much history so when you visit stop and take a few minutes for yourself to sit and appreciate the beautiful scenery and to reflect on life its such a calm and peaceful place in such a busy crazy world

6. Abbeystrewry Graveyard

Schull Road N71, Skibbereen Ireland https://roaringwaterjournal.com/tag/abbeystrewry-graveyard/
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5.0 based on 20 reviews

Abbeystrewry Graveyard

Crawford Art Gallery Emmett Place, Cork T12 TNE6 Ireland +353 21 490 7856 [email protected] http://www.crawfordartgallery.ie
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4.5 based on 341 reviews

Crawford Art Gallery

Crawford Art Gallery is a National Cultural Institution and regional art museum for Munster, dedicated to the visual arts, both historic and contemporary. Admission to the Gallery and to exhibitions is free. The permanent collection comprises almost 4,000 works, ranging from eighteenth century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. At the heart of the collection is a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome. Through its temporary exhibitions, publications and education programmes, the Crawford Art Gallery is committed to fostering recognition, critical assessment, and acknowledgement of historical and contemporary Irish and international art practice. Located in the heart of Cork city, the gallery is a critical part of Ireland's cultural and tourism infrastructure, welcoming almost 200,000 visitors a year.

Reviewed By John_B503778 - Epping, United Kingdom

Crawford art Gallery is a must go to place off the main shopping area a red brick building with wonderful metal gates , the gallery rooms are full with wonderful works of art and when you are ready a place for tea , breakfast or lunch , plus a well stocked book shop

8. University College Cork (UCC)

University College Cork Western road, Cork T12 HY8E Ireland +353 21 490 1876 [email protected] http://www.ucc.ie
Excellent
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4.5 based on 938 reviews

University College Cork (UCC)

University College Cork is one of Ireland’s most prestigious universities. It boasts a vibrant, modern campus with a student experience second to none in Ireland. A learning community where the student is at the heart of everything and the special relationship between student and lecturer is primary to our unique ethos. The campus is located a mere ten minutes walk from the heart of Cork city, a former European Capital of Culture. Cork is listed as a top ten location in the Lonely Planet guide which states it “has always had an unshakeable self-confidence and innate sense of pride”, a description which is equally applicable to the University itself

Reviewed By L7349ADroberto - Green Bay, United States

For the past five years, I've lead a study abroad program in Ireland that involved living and studying at UCC for a week. The summer accommodations on campus are open to the public and are an easy walk to downtown. The Student Center is open Mondays thru Fridays during the summer offering an affordable and pleasant place for breakfast and lunch. We always start our week by taking the campus walking tour provides a good overview of the college and its unique history.

9. Liss Ard Gardens

Liss Ard, Skibbereen Ireland +353 28 71766 [email protected] https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/liss-ard-gardens/10770
Excellent
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4.5 based on 71 reviews

Liss Ard Gardens

Reviewed By Ashimo - Limerick, Ireland

James Turrell's Sky Garden at Liss Ard Estate was my favourite thing that we visited on our recent trip to Clonakilty (and that's saying something). Before you visit you should check to see when the Sky Garden is available for public viewing. We checked their Facebook page but you can also ring or email them. When we arrived we met the most fabulous lady at reception (unfortunately we didn't get her name). She was so so friendly and helpful and didn't mind that we kept coming back to her with various queries and requests. We collected the key for the garden and had the place virtually to ourselves bar a couple of families who wandered in (tip: close the gate behind you after you enter). The garden itself is so tranquil and really allows time to take in the beautiful sky above (a good time to visit is when the sun isn't high in the sky and of course when it's not raining). Of course, when in the Sky Garden it's important to be respectful of this wonderful piece of earth art which we are privileged to view. Climbing on the sides of the crater has caused damage to this artwork so if visiting with children (or overgrown children) it's important to make sure they refrain from the temptation of climbing. Otherwise there is a very real prospect that it will eventually be closed to public viewing. After you drop the key back to reception consider purchasing the Sky Garden book for just €5 which details the planning, development and concept of the garden.

10. Blarney Stone

Monacnapa, Blarney, Cork Ireland +353 21 438 5252 http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/kiss-the-blarney-stone
Excellent
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4.5 based on 599 reviews

Blarney Stone

Reviewed By AllanH328 - Bethesda, United States

Everyone says this is the most touristy thing to do in Ireland, but it was one of the funnest things we did. The castle and grounds were picturesque. You wind your way up the castle as you wait in line to kiss the Blarney Stone. Our wait was about 20 minutes which wasn't bad. It looks like on peak days could be over an hour. Once you get to the top you can watch others kissing the stone which was also fun. When it is your turn it goes very quickly so have your cameras ready!!! They also take a photo which you can buy.

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