Family Holidays: Cork family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 3½ stars out of 5

Why

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 West of Ireland. It's a perfect spot for families to travel and enjoy the beautiful countryside of County Cork and its majestic neighbour Kerry.

Top left: Shandon at Night
Top right: Giraffes

Bottom left: Allihies Beara Peninsula
Bottom right: Festival Child

When

Any time of the year is right to visit the South West corner of Ireland. You and your family will always find something to do in sunshine or rain.

How

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.

Stay

You can either choose to base the family in Cork, or opt instead for a beautiful cottage nearby.

Do

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

Eat

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.