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Have spontaneously booked to go to Cork for two nights next weekend (reward flight saver returns for 2 of us on EI flying from LHR to ORK cost 16,000 plus £91.86, saving c.£100 compared to booking through ba.com!)
It will be our first time in Cork and we still need to book accommodation and a couple of restaurants – any recommendations for staying/eating/drinking/sightseeing please? We want to stay in the city centre as we won’t hire a car.
I like the look of The Montenotte which is in the SLH group. The Dean is a slightly cheaper option (OH has expressed his preference that there’s a pool 🤣) but the decor looks a bit too industrial for a relaxing weekend away! Would also love to see some live trad music while we’re there if anyone has tips as that’s our main hobby (but more at the authentic pub folk session for the locals end than “whiskey in the jar” on repeat for the tourists!)
Sorry I can’t help but did you book via avios.com? I’ve been checking MAN-DUB and the surcharges on ba.com are similar to what you’ve mentioned, same as a cash fare!
Hi @NorthernLass, yes I did book via Avios.com (apologies for omitting in my post!) I had read the HfP article from a couple of weeks ago about it being cheaper to book EI flights via avios.com if you just want a standard reward flight (rather than using a 241). On ba.com the flights were showing as 16,000 Avios plus £183.86 whereas I got them on Avios.com for 16,000 Avios plus £91.86, so a saving of £92! Although I did have a real faf with getting my EI AerClub account to work and then to get Avios.com to work and then had to change my BA linked email address to combine my Avios (I’ve put a link to the HfP comments thread where I found the workaround in yesterday’s chat thread to save you some time if your AerClub account is also glitchy!) Also the first booking didn’t go through properly but avios.com still charged my Amex, so it’s a bit of a pain as I’ll have to call them to reimburse me the first payment – but still worth it for the £92 cash saving I reckon!
No recommendations, but if you have the time consider taking the short train journey to Cobh. We were there last weekend on a cruise, and it’s a gorgeous little town.
@Ladyshopper thank you for suggesting Cobh, I’ll look into it!
Cork is a brilliant wee city, I hope you’ll love it. Enough to see for a couple of days – have a look at English Market, great pubs, both traditional and modern (Rising Suns brewery is good) and excellent food. It’s a little while since I have been so don’t have specific recommendations. Elbow Lane (steaks/ BBQ) and Mutton Lane Inn (traditional pub) are worth a visit but so many good places. Also remember it’s the home of Murphy’s Stout so give that a go instead of Guinness.
For excursions, Blarney Castle and Gardens, Kinsale (seaside town) or Cobh are all within about 30 mins if you run out of things to do in the city.
River Lee Hotel, its part of doyle collection which also have few hotels in London and Bristol.
Cobh is nice it’s a quick ride from train station
Food and alcohol are insanely expensive in Ireland BTW. That’s my experience whenever i visit which is frequent.
@Stu-N thank you for all the recommendations – the English Market and Rising Suns brewery were already on my list after some initial research! My OH actually prefers Murphy’s to Guinness anyway so no complaints there!
@travelersolo thanks, I did look at River Lee Hotel but the rates were exorbitant (doesn’t help booking last minute as most of the cheaper room categories have gone in many of the hotels!) Have plumped for The Dean instead, managed to get two nights for just under £300, it’s in the heart of the city and has a pool so think it will be fine for two nights if not particularly luxurious. Agreed re the cost of food and booze – we were in Dublin this time last year and even coming from London it felt pricey! Still, we got the flights on points so can’t complain!I’d recommend brunch or lunch at The Farmgate Cafe which is upstairs in The English Market – lovely atmosphere and great food (I was there last weekend) but do book as it gets busy! https://www.farmgatecork.ie/
Also if you like animals Fota Wildlife Park is amazing!
https://www.fotawildlife.ie/@ShoreditchTom thank you re Farmgate Cafe – the menu looks delicious, though unfortunately they are only open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday – Saturday and we arrive Saturday pm and leave Monday night! Typical 😅 The weather forecast is changing daily so outside activities TBC but will put Fota on the list to check out if it stays dry.
If you want authentic trad, here is a good article from Cork Beo, a popular local website. It tells you which pubs and which nights. It is from last year, but should be a good starting point – I can vouch for many places on the list. I can also echo some of the other options mentioned – The Farmgate, English market, Rising Sun etc. https://www.corkbeo.ie/culture/music-nightlife/best-cork-city-pubs-catch-22877099
I can definitely add the Market Lane – a fantastic, well priced restaurant, Elbow Lane – more of a smokehouse with craft beers, and Cask for food and cocktails. The Franciscan Well Brewery and Brewpub is another solid choice.
Do not bother with Fota or Cobh if it is your first visit. They are fine but not high priority unless you are dying to see the last place the Titanic set sail from.
Instead you absolutely have to visit Kinsale. It’s about 30 minutes on a bus from Cork city centre. It is called the gourmet capital of Ireland for a reason. Check out Charles fort, then have a drink and some food at the Bulman pub. Walk along the almost secret path to the Scilly area and the main town. Eat in Fishy Fishy, the famous fish restaurant. Check out the Instagram-able streets, galleries, cafes etc. It will be the highlight of your trip
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