Dublin vs Cork: would you prefer a break in Ireland’s buzzy capital or the vibrant coastal city?
Do you fancy the buzzy capital dublin or the vibrant coastal city of Cork? we bring you the best of both
What to see
kick off your trip with an introduction to ireland’s history, especially the easter rising of 1916 – a key event in the country’s struggle for independence. Visit sites including the General Post office, the headquarters of the rebels and the site of their final surrender, tours from £26.85; touriocity.com. Weave your way through the beautiful trinity college and head to the library to view the exquisite book of kells, a 9th-century gospel manuscript; tcd.ie/visitors/ book-of-kells. to refresh, make your way to the Guinness storehouse, a museum at the brewery where they make the famous ‘black stuff’. Work your way up the seven floors, which are built around a glass atrium in the shape of a Guinness glass, and be rewarded with a pint at the rooftop bar, which offers 360° views of the city; m.guinness-storehouse.com. Finish your day by wandering dublin’s charming streets to visit sites and watering holes that inspired some of the country’s most famous writers on a two-hour guided literary pub crawl; viator.com.
‘There’s something for everyone in Dublin’
Where to eat
hatch & sons, in the basement of the little museum of dublin, offers wholesome irish fare; hatch andsons.co. While for seafood head to klaw in temple bar.
Where to shop
shopaholics should hit Grafton street, with its wide range of designer clothes shops and department stores, then wander over to Francis street, famous for antiques. and if you are looking for an unusual pair of specs, go to boutique opticians molloy & dowling, which specialises in vintage and antique glasses; theopticiansdublin.ie.
Where to stay
the Westbury, famous for its afternoon teas, is the perfect base. rooms start at £232 b&b; doylecollection.com/westbury.
How to get there
ba fly from london heathrow to dublin, from £81 return; ba.com/0344 493 0787.
The verdict
there’s something for everyone in dublin – it’s great for history and culture, but if you prefer shopping and nightlife you’ll be well catered for.
Cork What to see
Get your bearings by picking up a map of one of the four signed cork Walks, such as the cork civic trust 20th century architecture Guided Walk, which explores the city’s heritage. Visit the english market, which offers a delicious range of irish food, including unusual fare such as drisheen, a type of blood sausage.
Wander through the quaint streets of the huguenot Quarter then learn about ireland’s most important food export at the cork butter museum; adults from £3.55.
see what cork looks like from the water with an adrenaline-boosting kayaking trip around the city centre channels; atlanticseakayaking.com.
then hop on a short train ride to cobh, a colourful seaside town in cork harbour and the last port of call for the titanic, and discover more at the titanic experience; adults, £8.45, children 4-17, £4.90; titanic experiencecobh.ie.
Where to eat
enjoy locally-sourced ingredients at the market lane restaurant & bar, with hearty delights such as ballinwillin wild boar (marketlane.ie). sample the Fishbar at electric for views of the trinity church and st Finbarr’s cathedral, as you savour the day’s catch (electriccork.ie). after dinner, head to the roundy for live music and djs (theroundy.com).
Where to shop
Visit brown thomas, an upscale irish department store on Patrick street, cork’s longest shopping street. to grab a quirky bargain, visit the cork Vintage Quarter on henry street, and there are loads more shops and cafes in bustling cook street.
Where to stay
the imperial hotel offers a two-night b&b #lovecork package for £177pp, including dinner on one evening in the Pembroke restaurant, a cocktail, one lunch in the english market, a tour of the cork butter museum, chocolates in your room and an aveda spa gift; flynnhotels.com, 021 427 4040.
How to get there
ryanair fly direct from london stansted to cork from £19.99 one-way; ryanair.com.
The verdict
Fantastic for first-timers wanting a less hectic introduction to ireland. it makes for an ideal girls’ weekend or a romantic couples’ retreat.
‘Fantastic for a less hectic introduction to Ireland’