Cork is Ireland’s largest county and as well as seeing Ireland’s Alcatraz you can explore the beautiful coastline and countryside, try Ireland’s best food, discover iconic and quirky visitor attractions and make friends in Ireland’s most welcoming city. Here are some accommodation and attraction options we recommend.
ACCOMMODATION
Bella Vista Hotel and Self Catering Suites
Bella Vista Hotel and Self Catering SuitesWelcome to the Bellavista Hotel & Self Catering Suites, luxury 3-star accommodation providers in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland. Situated above the picturesque tourist town and overlooking the magnificent Cork Harbour, our accommodation options command some of the best views in town. Here at the Bellavista Hotel, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of quality and luxury accommodation options to suit all needs. Choose from one of our hotel rooms, each decorated individually or one of our Self Catering suites so you and your family can come and go as you please. We also have a selection of Self Catering Townhouses in Cobh Town Centre. Our suites and apartments range in size from a 1 bedroom sleeping 2 people to an 8 bedroom townhouse sleeping 18. If you are looking for accommodation in Cobh, the Bellavista Hotel is the place for you.
With a 24-hour reception service, free off-street private parking, free high-speed unlimited wifi, and a dedicated team, we can cater to all your needs.
Our traditional Irish bar with open fire has uninterrupted views over Cork Harbour and Cobh Cathedral. With the largest selection of Whiskeys and Gins in Cobh, live music every Friday & Saturday night and friendly staff, our bar is the perfect spot to relax and unwind while forgetting about your everyday stresses.
Commodore Hotel
Commodore HotelVictims of the Lusitania are buried in the one of the town’s main cemeteries. Both this and the Titanic tragedy, their links to Cobh, and the town’s rich maritime history are explored in local interpretative heritage centres. This history is inextricably linked with the Commodore Hotel as it operated throughout this period. Indeed, the hotel can lay claim to being one of the first purpose-built hotels in the country having first opened in 1854 as the Queens Hotel, commemorating Queen Victoria’s first visit to Ireland.
Each of our guestrooms are unique, many have high ceilings and large windows; most are decorated to highlight their Georgian features, which gives an ambience that harks back to a bygone age. Choose from our sea view rooms which enjoy magnificent uninterrupted views over Cork Harbour. We have a wide range of rooms to choose from. Some of our rooms accommodate single persons; others accommodate couples, families, or groups. Our reservation staff will be only too happy to inform you of our package deals designed to suit all budgets. Group rates are also available on request.
Free wi-fi is available. Due to the unique design of the buildings, the best signal can be acquired on the ground floor.
Our roof garden on the third floor is the ideal place for guests to view St. Colman’s Cathedral and Cork Harbour.
Cork International Hotel
Cork International HotelDirectly opposite Cork Airport with a free shuttle service. It is just a 10-minute drive from Cork City, where there are shops, vibrant bars and restaurants.
The Cork International Hotel is in Cork Airport Business Park. It has 140 luxurious bedrooms, 4 apartments and free overnight parking for guests.
Scenic views of Cork City Center, the airport and the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed from the luxurious rooms. All have black-out blinds, air conditioning and large, comfortable beds and balconies are available upon request.
The hotel has several dining options including The New Yorker Bar & Bistro, The Atlantic & Pacific Restaurants, as well as a 24-hour room service menu. The Cork International Hotel also has 8 meeting rooms and a ballroom.
corkinternationalairporthotel.com
Fota Island Resort
Fota Island ResortStepping into one of the hotel’s 123 luxurious en-suite rooms is a memorable occasion. Select from a classic or deluxe room, a number of which come with their own private balcony, or one of the spacious family rooms comprising of a double and single bed and the option of an interconnecting door. For an extra special occasion check in to one of the Resort’s eight individual suites, each one unique in design and layout but equally as stylish. Each room offers stunning views of the Resort’s woodlands or golf courses and the majority of suites also come complete with a terrace balcony offering more space to relax with your favourite book and a glass of wine, or simply watch the world go by.
Travelling as a group? Why not make the most of your own personal space in the super comfortable and stylish self-catering lodges – The Courtyard, Courseside or Fuschia Woods at Fota Island Resort. Select from a two, three or four-bed lodge and discover a tastefully decorated interior, blending modern home comforts with cutting-edge design. Lodge guests still have access to all the fantastic amenities, golf and spa facilities and the many dining options throughout the Resort as well as a dedicated Kid’s Camp during school holidays and babysitting services, ensuring you can plan your day just the way you want it.
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Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, CorkThe many shops, cafés, and restaurants of this cosmopolitan city are all within easy reach of our award-winning Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Cork. You’ll be close to both the town centre and the airport, making our hotel a perfect base for exploring the city and beyond.
A 15-minute taxi ride will take you to Cork’s bustling centre. Explore the city’s many beautiful churches or head to its celebrated opera house. For lunch, enjoy a riverside picnic in the scenic Fitzgerald Park. You could also spend the day at Fota Wildlife Park, which is less than 10 minutes drive from our Cork hotel. By night, make your way to Cyprus Avenue, one of the town’s best places to see live music.
Discover the true flavours of Ireland in the foodie paradise of Cork’s English Market. Don’t miss a visit to the Jameson Distillery Midleton, where you can pick up a bottle of the famous Jameson Irish Whiskey. The Old Head of Kinsale, a unique headland offering breathtaking clifftop walks, is an hour’s drive from our Cork hotel and is one of the highlights of Ireland’s renowned Wild Atlantic Way.
The Imperial Hotel Cork
The Imperial Hotel CorkThe luxury Imperial Hotel is a timeless landmark in the heart of Cork City. Our boutique Cork hotel enjoys an unrivalled setting in the centre of the pedestrianised zone in Cork City. The world-famous English Market and the bustling main shopping districts of Patrick Street and Oliver Plunkett Street are all right on our doorstep. Steeped in over 200 years of history and tradition including Cork’s very first hotel, The Imperial Hotel is regarded by many as the ‘Grande Dame’ of Cork.
Our luxury Cork City hotel offers spacious modern boutique rooms in Cork City Centre as well as a luxury spa, the vibrant Sketch cocktail bar, Cork City’s finest afternoon tea and more delicious on-site dining options including Lafayettes and Thyme at Seventy-Six on the Mall.
The Metropole Hotel Cork
The Metropole Hotel CorkLocated in the heart of the Victorian Quarter in Cork’s City Centre, The Metropole Hotel Cork is Cork’s most iconic hotel, world-renowned for over 125 years of hospitality and warm service.
Famous for having welcomed stars of screen, stage, art and literature, we have a long history from sweetshop and ‘dry’ hotel to reclaimed glory. Our beautifully renovated hotel is opulent and rich in character. Stay with us to indulge in the finer things in life; impeccable service, sophisticated design, rich food and timeless elegance.
Our guests can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city by day, exploring Cork’s most famous tourist attractions, shopping in the nearby boutiques or visiting Cork’s multitude of galleries and theatres. By evening, retreat to our haven. Relax in your elegantly decorated room. Unwind in The MET Cork where our team of mixologists and culinary artists will delight your taste buds and perhaps even share some stories and secrets from the hotel’s past.
At the Metropole Hotel, we are a proud member of Historic Hotels of Europe. You can feel the history and heritage combined with innovation and modernity to create something truly special. Join us and experience our legacy, explore our rich heritage and make your mark on our history.
The Montenotte Hotel
The Montenotte HotelThe Montenotte Hotel is a vibrant, family-owned, design-led, destination hotel in Cork with a playful and eclectic vibe that offers guests an experience like no other. Built within the former 18th Century residence of a Merchant Prince, The Montenotte Hotel is a ‘Garden of Eden’ in the heart of Cork, nestled in stunning surroundings with unrivalled views of Cork city and harbour. A rich heritage has been preserved through the years and updated with a contemporary twist, decadent detailing and a luxurious finish.
The Montenotte Hotel strives to continuously innovate to create memorable experiences for guests and offers a new treat, to surprise and savour, around every corner; offering all hotel guests the luxury to rest and play, enjoying a very special Cork experience.
WatersEdge Hotel
WatersEdge HotelThe WatersEdge Hotel is a special venue in every sense of the word. Nestled in the harbour town of Cobh near Cork, and situated on the waterfront, we really have got “rooms with a view”. The Hotel commands breath-taking views, spacious, comfortable accommodation and Bistro-style food that cannot be beaten. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, this is the Hotel to come to time after time. As a guest, you will find you are the only focus of our staff and we look forward to welcoming you to Cobh.
Whilst keeping its boutique feel and style, the accommodation at the WatersEdge Hotel is anything but small. Our large balcony rooms are spacious and comfortable with a waterside terrace that is hard to leave.
Our rooms are comfortable and spacious with large windows, most of which overlook the wonder that is the harbour outside. All rooms are equipped with direct dial telephones, satellite tv’s, a hair dryer, WIFI, and tea/coffee making facilities.
TO DO:
Cork Harbour Boat Hire
Cork Harbour Boat HireWhether it’s on our Self Drive Boats in Cobh or our thrilling rib tours, we have boat trips to suit everyone. All delivered by a dedicated team of passionate and experienced explorers.
Are you looking for an exhilarating outdoor boating adventure on the open seas? See more of Cork’s coastline with our High-Speed Sea Safari RIBs. Brace yourself for a natural adrenaline rush filled with fresh sea air!
Have you got a family to entertain this summer? We provide a comfortable, safe and easy way to navigate Cork’s Harbour waters. Our self-drive boat rental service is an exciting day out for groups of all sizes and ages.
Eager to encounter Ireland’s vast array of wildlife, known to inhabit the region? You’ll have great fun trying to spot all the different birds and sea creatures in our guided Cork harbour sea safari tours.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club
Cobh Ramblers Football ClubCatch a game of exciting League of Ireland action at Cobh Ramblers. Founded in 1922, the club has a long and proud sporting tradition and previous players include many well-known stars, including Roy Keane, Stephen Ireland and Nicky Byrne.
Spike Island is proud to partner with this Cobh institution, and you can purchase some of the club’s memorabilia in our gift shop on the island.
See cobhramblers.ie for fixtures and club shop.
Cobh Heritage Centre
Cobh Heritage CentreWhether you are interested in the Irish Emigration story, tracing your ancestors, learning more about the ill-fated Titanic and the Lusitania, or immersing yourself in our naval and military history, Cobh Heritage Centre has it all and lots more.
With such a rich heritage, history and so many stories to tell, a trip to Cobh Heritage Centre is a must. This beautiful, informative and sometimes emotive cultural Centre is inventively situated within Cobh’s beautifully restored Victorian railway station, a building with its own historic story.
Because so many people from Ireland’s past travelled through Cobh, one of the world’s finest natural harbours, visitors can learn about the stories of these emigrants. Over three million Irish people emigrated from this port. Many had to leave because of the Great Famine, many left in search of a new start and the hope of a better life.
The Emigration Story relates the maritime, naval and military history of the area, the fortification of the harbour with forts such as Haulbowline, Spike Island, and Fort Camden and takes you on a journey of exploration of the lives of those who left from the 1600’s right through to the 1950s.
Tales of the early emigrants to Virginia, the Carolinas and Canada, the forgotten Irish who endured forced labour in the West Indies during and after Cromwellian times, to the sinking of the Titanic and The Lusitania, are inventively displayed in a variety of modern, tasteful and artistic ways.
Fota House
Fota HouseTours – Guided tours of the Fota House are available each day at 12 noon and 2 pm. Tours can be booked in advance on this website or open to visitors on the day 10 minutes before the commencement time. Tours last approx. 50 minutes and tells the story of the Fota property, the Smith-Barry Family and the staff who worked across the estate.
Gift Shop – Open daily 10:30 – 5 pm. A wide range of giftware, jewellery, artisan foods and books are available.
Bakestone Café – Open each day 10:30 am – 5 pm. Indoor Cafe is table service only (limited capacity) but takeaway food & beverages are served through an outside counter with outdoor benches adjacent.
Arboretum & Gardens:
Victorian Working Gardens are open weekdays from 10:30 am – 4:45 pm and weekends 12noon to 4:45 pm with a range of plants also available for purchase.
Fota Arboretum is open daily 9:00am – 5:00pm
Fota Walled & Pleasure Gardens are open during the week with a weekend opening (From 1st April); Saturday 11 am-5 pm & Sunday 2-5 pm
Pre-booking is not required to walk the Arboretum & Gardens
Dogs are welcome in the Arboretum & Gardens but need to be on a lead at all times.
Fota Wildlife Park
Fota Wildlife ParkIreland’s Wildest Attraction. Fota Wildlife Park is set on 100 acres on the scenic Fota Island in the heart of Cork Harbour. It is a unique place where you can come face to face with free-roaming animals and birds from all parts of the world. So if it’s a kangaroo that hops in front of you, or a ring-tailed lemur, which jumps down from a tree, each visit is sure to bring its own fantastic memories.
Fota Wildlife Park features the Asian Sanctuary—with Asian Lions, Sumatran Tigers, and Indian Rhino. The cheetah run, tropical house and giraffe crossing are also must-sees. The development of the Asian Sanctuary over the past five years has enhanced the Park as an iconic international visitor attraction as well as serving the core values of conservation, education, and research.
Facilities include cafés, several play areas, picnic areas and a gift shop. Accessible by train and car.
Jameson Midleton Cork DISTILLERY Tour
Jameson Midleton Cork DISTILLERY TourLet us take you on a journey from past to present. In Midleton, come face to face with the world’s largest pot still on one of our memorable experiences at the old distillery of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
We’ve just embarked on an exciting upgrade journey which will see the buildings here at Jameson Distillery Midleton transformed between now and 2025, just in time to celebrate our 200 year anniversary. You may notice some construction work when you arrive for your visit, however, we ensure that our experiences are running as usual with minimal interruption. Please allow time to find parking before your experience, as we can no longer accommodate parking onsite. When you arrive, there is free parking available outside our main gates on Distillery Walk. There is also free parking available at Distillery Lane car park and on Main Street Midleton.
Titanic Experience
Titanic ExperienceTitanic Experience Cobh is located in Casement Square in the heart of Cobh Town. Our home is the original White Star Line Ticket Office, a building steeped in history dating back to the early 19th century and the departure point for many thousands of White Star Line passengers. When you arrive, check-in with us at reception and let us tell you the story of those 123 passengers.
• Upon check-in you will receive your boarding card. Your boarding card will have the details of one of the 123 passengers who came to the White Star Line Ticket Office on Thursday April 11th 1912. These were the final passengers to join Titanic at her last port of call in Queenstown, Ireland. (Cobh was renamed Queenstown from the period of 1849-1921 in honour of Queen Victoria’s visit to Cobh and so we refer to Cobh as Queenstown for much of our story).
• Your personal tour guide will take you on a virtual journey to board the tenders and join Titanic for her maiden voyage to New York
• Along this journey you will view the original pier also known as Heartbreak Pier, which was the last point of land contact for the Queenstown passengers.
• During your visit, you will experience life aboard Titanic and learn a little about the conditions on board for third and first class passengers.
• When disaster strikes, you will experience the chill of the sinking, through a unique cinematographic experience.
• The guided element of our tour lasts 30 minutes after which you will be free to explore our exhibition area. Here you can interact with a collection of audio visual presentations and story boards exploring the events that led to the tragic sinking. You will also learn about the role of RMS Carpathia in the rescue of the survivors, the outcome of the formal British and US enquiries into the tragedy, the discovery of the wreck and more.
• Did you survive? The final element of the experience is located in the story room, where you will learn the fate of you as a passenger and all the other Queenstown passengers. We also feature a selection of interesting artefacts from Carpathia, The Odell Family Collection and some original serving pieces from the White Star Line fleet of the early 20th century.
Titanic Tour Cobh
Titanic Tour CobhThe Titanic Trail guided walking tour of Cobh is Ireland’s first and longest operating ‘Titanic’ attraction. Operating daily at 11am, the gentle one hour walking tour offers inside perspectives on the real stories of this infamous ship and its connections with Cobh that go way beyond the Hollywood versions of events. In addition Irish emigration to America, the famine and Ireland’s struggle for independence are all explored and explained against the fabulous backdrop of the town of Cobh overlooking Cork Harbour. The stories conveyed on these tours get beneath the skin of history bringing it to life in an entertaining and amusing way. This is the perfect activity before your trip to Spike Island!
Book now on titanic.ie