3 Days In Ireland From Cork (Fast Trip For Those Using Public Transport With Low Fitness)

Planning a 3-day Ireland itinerary can be a pain in the backside… So, we’ve done all of the hard work for you!

We’ve spent 25+ years travelling around Ireland and the itinerary below leans on that experience and the many mistakes we made along the way!

In a nutshell, this 3-day itinerary:

• Starts and ends in Cork
• Has been meticulously planned for those only using public transport
• Has an hour-by-hour itinerary for each day to save you time/hassle
• Follows logical routes that take you to hidden gems, tourist favourites and great pubs and restaurants

Who this itinerary will suit

Now, before you scroll down, take 10 seconds to look at the graphic above – each of our road trip itineraries have been tailored to specific needs.

This road trip is specifically for those of you:

• Starting in/near Cork
• Using public transport and organised tours
• Looking to explore at a fast pace
• With a low level of fitness (i.e. it avoids long walks and hikes)
• Remember, we have hundreds of different itineraries here if this one doesn’t suit you

An overview of this itinerary

The map above gives you a very high-level overview of where this route will take you.

It uses several bases (e.g. Cork for 2 nights) and provides you with day-long road trips you can head off on, so you avoid having to change accommodation constantly.

Now, I’ll stop rambling on – here’s a day-by-day insight into each of the days below!

Day 1: Cork City

Welcome to Ireland! Today, you’ve touched down in Cork City, ready to start your 3-day adventure.

You’ll be spending two nights in Cork City, and we’re going to assume that you arrived in the afternoon, so get ready for an afternoon’s worth of activities on your first day. 

Recommended accommodation in Cork City

• Budget: Sheilas Tourist Hostel (no-fuss hostel near the train station) + Redclyffe Guesthouse (nice and central with great reviews)
• Mid-range: The Metropole (central with superb reviews) and Hotel Isaacs (in the Victorian Quarter – top-notch rooms and reviews)
• Luxury: Imperial Hotel (stunning and very central hotel) and Hayfield Manor (beautiful, boutique, city centre 5-star)

Stop 1: Getting from the airport to the city

We have outlined your two options for getting from the airport to the city below.

Option 1: Bus

If you want to take public transport, the 225, 226 and 236 will get you from the airport to the city centre. We’d recommend that you book your tickets in advance.

Option 2: Taxi

A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs around €20. There is a taxi rank right outside of the airport where you can hire a taxi, as well as information inside the airport if you need to call one.

Stop 2: Lunch 

Walk over to the Cornmarket for lunch. But be mindful that you’ll be heading to the English Market soon (another foodie destination), so don’t fill up too much!

We recommend popping into Bodega for delicious pub grub or the Cornstore if you’re after something a little more upmarket.

Stop 3: Shandon Bell Tower

Shandon Bell Tower is an iconic landmark in Cork City and a must-visit attraction about 10 minutes from the city centre. 

The tower is a part of the Church of St. Anne, which was built in 1722. The church was built to replace an old church on the same site that was destroyed during the Seige of Cork in 1690. 

You’ll need to pay a small fee to get to the top of the tower, but from the top, you’ll have wonderful views of the city, and you’ll be able to ring the bells!

Stop 4: The English Market

The English Market is 11 minutes away from Shandon Bell Tower. It’s a beautiful covered market with impressive mid-19th-century architecture.

Its name, “English Market”, was to help distinguish it from the Cornmarket, formerly known as the “Irish Market”.

The market dates back to 1788, making it one of the oldest covered markets in Europe. Aside from its history and beautiful architecture, the English Market is known for its delicious food, and you can get everything from artisanal olives to homemade jams. 

Stop 5: Elizabeth Fort

Once you’re finished perusing the market, walk the 10 minutes over to Elizabeth Fort. The star-shaped fort dates back to the 17th century and currently sits off Barrack Street in Cork City.

The fort was originally on high ground, but over the years, the city has built up around it, although it still has fantastic views over Cork. 

General admission is free, but if you’d like to learn more about this historical fortification, guided tours are offered at 1pm every day (€5), and audio guides are available in multiple languages (€3).

Stop 6: Nano Nagle

From Elizabeth Fort, it’s a 6-minute walk to Nano Nagle. Inside, you’ll find an amazing restored convent garden, a lovely gift shop, a Cork focused book shop, and a museum about the Nano Nagle Nuns, who dedicated their lives to educating the poor.

Stop 7: Dinner, drinks, and live music 

You have endless food and pub options in Cork City, regardless of what it is that you fancy on the night.

Here’s a few recommendations to get you started, but feel free to follow your nose:

Our dinner recommendations

There are heaps of brilliant restaurants in Cork City, but our personal favourites are Market Lane, Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega, and Cornstore. 

Market Lane has a delicious-sounding menu featuring Irish favourites like pan-fried hake with braised leeks, smoked mussels, and baby potatoes, as well as international dishes like Sri Lankan vegetable curry with tempura aubergine and forbidden rice. 

Head to Old Town Whiskey Bar for burgers, salads, and traditional pub grub, and Cornstore for steaks and seafood. 

Live music and trad bars

There’s some might old-school pubs in Cork City, too. For drinks, check out Mutton Lane (a quirky traditional pub), The Oval (a historic pub named after its unique oval ceiling), and Castle Inn (a traditional family-run pub with a great atmosphere).

There are some great spots for hearing some trad music in Cork, our top choices are Sin E and The Corner House. 

Day 2: Blarney and Cobh

Today you’re heading to Blarney and Cobh which are both just outside of Cork City. Get ready to see castles and cathedrals and to visit the Titanic’s last stop before her tragic end. 

Grab a spot of breakfast in Cork before you head out for the day. We like Cafe Gusto and The Farmgate, but you could also wander around the English Market to pick up a fresh pastry or sandwich. 

We’d recommend this 8-hour day trip that takes you to Blarney Castle and then onto the charming town of Cobh.

We’ll take you through the stops below, but note that 1, you may not always physically stop at all of these sights and 2, these tours are subject to change, so always check with the provider in advance. 

Stop 1: Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is one of the most famous of the many castles in Ireland. The current castle dates back to 1446, but prior to that, there was another stone castle on the site that dated back to 1210. 

Blarney Castle has an interesting history and has changed hands several times.

It was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars, seized by parliament in 1646, and confiscated in the 1690s during the Williamite War when its owner (the 4th Earl of Clancarty) was captured. 

Stop 2: The Blarney Stone

The Blarney Stone is a block of grey limestone built into Blarney Castle. According to folklore, anyone who kisses the stone will be given the “gift of the gab” or the gift of flattery and eloquence.

The stone has been set into the castle walls since it was built in 1446, and it’s believed that the practice of kissing the stone dates back to the late 18th century. 

Today, it’s a must-do activity in the castle, although it’s not easily achieved! To kiss the stone, you’ll need to be on your back and edge yourself closer to the stone to kiss it upside down.

There’s a large gap between the floor and the stone, but nowadays, thanks to health and safety regulations, there are metal bars to prevent you from falling if you slip through the gap. 

There are several origin stories of how kissing the stone came about, from tales involving goddesses to Queen Elizabeth I, to 15th-century lawsuits.

Stop 3: Cobh

Cobh is a historic coastal town in Cork City harbour that’s beautiful to stroll around regardless of the time of year.

It was the last stop of the Titanic before it departed for New York and home to St. Colman’s Cathedral.

Stop 4: St Colman’s Cathedral

Cobh Cathedral, or St. Colman’s Cathedral, is one of Cobh’s iconic landmarks. It’s a gorgeous cathedral with large stained-glass windows, intricate carvings, and an impressive 90-metre spire that dominates the town’s skyline. 

It took 51 years from the first cornerstone being laid to the cathedral’s consecration. Building the cathedral was a mammoth project and cost well over the initial budget.

It’s just as beautiful on the inside as it is from the outside, with large stone arches, pillars, and red marble shrines. 

The cathedral is on top of a hill, so you’ll have great views over Cork Harbour. 

Stop 5: Titanic Experience

The Titanic Experience gives visitors an immersive insight into what life was like aboard the Titanic.

It includes a 30-minute tour where you’ll experience an incredible cinematographic experience of the ship sinking. 

Aside from the tour, the experience has several exhibitions telling the personal stories of the passengers, the role of the RMS Carpathia in rescuing survivors, and much more. 

Stop 6: Back to Cork for the night

After the day’s activities are finished, it’s time to head back to Cork. 

Our Cork food recommendations

There are heaps of brilliant restaurants in Cork City, but our personal favourites are Market Lane, Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega, and Cornstore. 

Market Lane has a delicious-sounding menu featuring Irish favourites like pan-fried hake with braised leeks, smoked mussels, and baby potatoes.

Head to Old Town Whiskey Bar for burgers, salads, and traditional pub grub, and Cornstore for steaks and seafood. 

Great Cork City pubs

There’s some glorious pubs in Cork, too. For drinks, check out Mutton Lane (a quirky traditional pub), The Oval (a historic pub named after its unique oval ceiling), and Castle Inn (a traditional family-run pub with a great atmosphere).

There are some great spots for hearing some trad music in Cork, our top choices are Sin E and The Corner House. 

Day 3: Back to Cork Airport 

All good things must come to an end, and today, you’re heading back to Cork Airport to catch the flight home. You’ve already made this trip but we have all the information below to help you make your flight.

Option 1: Bus

If you want to take public transport, the 225, 226 and 236 will get you from the city centre to the airport. We’d recommend that you book your tickets in advance.

Option 2: Taxi

A taxi from the city centre to the airport costs around €20. There are taxi ranks throughout the city. Your hotel or host can also help you book a taxi to the airport. 

And that’s a wrap on this road trip

We hope you found the above road trip guide useful. If you have any questions, ask in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help.

Or, if you’d like to browse our other Irish Road Trip itineraries, visit our Road Trip Hub – cheers!