Take the Family holiday rating 
| Flying Time | 1.25 hours  |
|---|---|
| Carbon Footprint | 0.61 tonnes CO2 |
| Timezone | GMT |
| Local Currency | Euro |
Cork is Ireland's second city, which has been crowned "European Capital of Culture" for 2005. This city, characterised by the famous Shandon Bells, is ideally located in the South East of Ireland. It's a perfect spot for families to travel and enjoy the beautiful countryside of County Cork and its majestic neighbour Kerry.
Any time of the year is right to visit the South East corner of Ireland. You and your family will always find something to do in sunshine or rain.
take the plane
You can fly to Cork from various locations in the UK. Check out Aer Lingus, Ryanair, bmibaby, Aer Arann, Flybe and Air Wales for flight options and special offers. Click here for great deals on flights through our partners at lastminute.com.
from the airport
The airport is a mere ten minutes drive from the city centre. Public buses also operate regularly to the centre of Cork.
take the ferry
This is also a great option if you are planning a longer stay in Ireland. You can take the ferry directly from Swansea to Cork, an overnight sailing with Swansea Cork Ferries. Alternatively, Take the Family offers competitive ferry crossing options through our partners between Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales and Rosslare, Ireland.
You can either choose to base the family in Cork, or opt instead for a beautiful cottage nearby.
Take the kids to visit the giraffes and tigers at Fota Wildlife Park, which is just a 30 minute drive from the city centre. Its open Monday – Saturday 10 am to 5pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5pm
Blarney Castle and the Stone of Eloquence – kiss the Blarney Stone and give the kids the Irish gift of the gab! Mind you, they may already have it and, at Take the Family, we cannot take responsibility for even more gabbing and questions.
Open 9 am to 5.30 all year (and later in the summer season)
Also, take the opportunity to explore the coastline of Cork. Head to the west of the county to discover unspoiled beaches which are perfect for the kids to swim in.
And for some more ideas about what to do check out the Tourism Ireland site. Finally, if you are planning a longer stay then be sure to check out our detailed Ireland, Belfast and Dublin guides
Cork is Ireland’s culinary capital with an abundance of quality and choice.
Why not take a trip to the beautiful seaside towns of Kinsale or Cobh where you can enjoy locally caught seafood at its very best.
Take a stroll through the charming English Market located in Cork city centre; where you can find the best of local produce or enjoy afternoon tea while watching the world passing you by.
Cork has something to cater for all pockets, whether it be a budget holiday or top of the range.
by Amy Corzine
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Active Hotels
Great location and staff More
* per room per night, including use of leisure facilities.
Expedia
A conveniently located four star hotel with pool. More
* per apartment per night
