Cork is the largest county in Ireland, and it boasts over 1000 km of coastline. Cork’s city centre has hip coffee shops, vibrant art galleries, off-beat museums and some seriously good pubs. And, although it’s a city, it still maintains a friendly town-like disposition!
But, what free stuff can you do in Cork? There are loads of freebies in Cork city that you can make the most of, so read on to discover more.
Get Lost In The Greenery Of Fitzgerald Park
Fitzgerald’s Park is named after Lord Mayor Edward Fitzgerald, and it’s a tranquil spot that should be high on your list of places to visit in Cork. It sits on the banks of the River Lee, covering 18 acres that play host to the Cork Public Museum and Sky Garden, many creative sculptures, a water lily pond, and even a playground. It’s totally free to visit, and it’s the perfect place to spend the day with a picnic!
Explore The Works In Crawford Art Gallery
Crawford Art Gallery contains near countless visual arts in both historic and contemporary forms. With more than 3,000 works, from eighteenth-century Irish sculpture right through to modern video installations, it’s a real sight to behold. A notable collection worth visiting is the Greek and Roman sculpture casts, which came to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum. Admission is free, so it’s the ideal spot to experience a little culture and creativity in the city.
Feel The Faith In St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church
St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church is no doubt one of the most architecturally outstanding buildings in the city, and it’s built in an eclectic Gothic Style that has to be seen to be believed. Its foundation stone was laid in 1859, but it was actually built to replace Carey’s Lane Chapel (a smaller structure from 1786). The grand altar is carved from 36 tons of Carrara marble, and it certainly catches your eye as you enter the great halls. St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church is a place of celebration, worship, and so much more, and you don’t have to be a religious or spiritual person to appreciate its beauty – free of charge!
Learn About History & Culture In Cork Public Museum
Cork Public Museum is the oldest local authority museum in Ireland, and it’s housed in two buildings – a nineteenth century Georgian-style property, and a modern extension opened in the year 2005. The Cork Public Museum’s exhibits focus mainly on the history and archaeology of the local area. From Bronze Age mining tools to Iron Age helmet horns, there are so many interesting exhibits to explore. There are also temporary features, such as exhibits covering Irish traveller culture, so it’s a worthwhile visit. You don’t have to spend a cent to enter, so it’s a great freebie to add to your schedule.
Read In Cork City Library
If you’re fond of getting lost in a story, why not visit Cork library? It’s a cork community hub, featuring books of all genres and ideas. There are even books on cork people and local culture, so you can learn facts and figures or delve deep into a nonfiction story – it’s totally your choice!
Visit Ballycotton Cliffs
This is not in Cork City so you would unfortunately need to spend some money on transport, you could either hire a car or take a bus from the city (takes around 1 hour 30 minutes) but once you are there you can walk around the Ballycotton Cliffs for free to see the beautiful scenery.
