Things to Do in Cork

Narrow alleys, monasteries, historic markets... On this free walking tour of Cork we will discover the history and the most emblematic points of this Irish city bathed by the River Lee.
You will completely fall in love!
We will meet at the indicated time in front of Cork Opera House to start this free tour of Cork in which we will discover the second largest city in Ireland. Will you join us?
For almost three hours, we will walk through the historic center of Cork exploring part of the history of the city. Do you know who its founders were? Perhaps the importance of its port will give you a clue.
We will tell you how the city has been changing over time since the 7th century when Saint Finbar built an abbey in this area.
We'll pass by places like:

•  St. Anne's Church
• St. Mary Cathedral
• St. Anne's Cathedral
• Bishop Lucey Park

Later we will arrive at the Cathedral of San Finbar, famous for the copper angel and gold paper that decorates its facade. What will be its meaning? We will reveal it to you!
Nearby we will come across Fort Elizabeth, used for more than 400 years to defend Cork from invaders. Did you know that the Vikings arrived in the city in 820 AD? At that time they built their own city on an island in the Lee River.
After exploring Cork's history, we'll end the free tour at the National Monument.

Welcome, but some friendly advice first: Want something a little deeper than another city tours? I'm an actor, teacher, polyglot (speak 9 languages) and a lover of history, books and ideas. If you just want to take photos to put on social media, have little interest in history and really don’t  like walking, then PLEASE BOOK A DIFFERENT TOUR!!! If you are intellectually curious and like to think and discover, then let me take you through the streets of Cork - the Real Capital of Ireland. 

This tour starts at University College Cork, one of the most beautiful campuses in Europe. Please note we are the only tour in Cork that includes the University Campus tour. We’ll walk through the historic Quadrangle, the Honan Chapel with its famous stained glass, and the university grounds that mix Gothic buildings with modern student life.

From there, we’ll trace the story of Cork back to its beginnings at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, built on the site where the city was founded in the 7th century.

We’ll then visit Nano Nagle Place, a hidden spot that tells the story of education, religion, and social change in Cork.

In the city centre, we’ll explore the Grand Parade with the National Monument and the statue of Michael Collins – two powerful reminders of Cork’s role in Ireland’s fight for independence.

At the halfway point, we stop in the English Market, where you can try food from around the world and see why it has been the city’s food heart for centuries.

The walk continues past the Crawford Art Gallery, the Cork Opera House, and the site of the Old Butter Market, once a key part of Cork’s global trade. Finally, we’ll cross the River Lee to the Shandon area, where we’ll see the Shandon Bells and St. Anne’s Cathedral, Cork’s most famous landmark.

To keep things fun, the tour also includes a Ireland Trivia Quiz with small prizes.

Our guides usually come from a theatre background, so the tour feels more like a fun play than a lecture. It’s relaxed and interactive – people often say in their reviews that they enjoyed not only learning about Cork, but also meeting each other and sharing a very human experience.

✨ The Silences of Cork – Mysteries and Legends of the Historic Center ✨

Think you know Cork? 🌆 Its streets hide secrets that only those who know how to listen can reveal. 👂 On this tour, I invite you to discover the city's most mysterious and symbolic side , combining history, legends, and hidden tales that have remained silent for centuries.

You'll explore Cork's most iconic corners while listening to stories, mysteries, and secrets that only a few know 🌫️.

Places and topics of interest:

• St. Fin Barre's Cathedral ⛪: hidden symbols and legends from the religious past.
• Elizabeth Fort 🏰: Military secrets and mysteries of Cork's history.
• Downtown streets that keep and hide whispers
• Cornmarket Street 🏙️: ghost stories and urban curiosities.
• Stories about symbols, legends, and historical secrets hidden in every corner of the center.

Tour meeting point:

• Bishop St (Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral)📍

End point of the tour:

• Great Parade 📍

Duration:
⏱️ Approx. 1h 30 min